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2008 Chevrolet Impala Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 810 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, most often about the electrical (27% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is 4th of 21 Impala model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Chevrolet Impala problems
Electrical
221 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was a popping noise coming from the air conditioner after it was turned on. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who diagnosed that the air conditioner actuator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
I was traveling on a highway near to my home, and for about a month now the vehicle has come up with an error stating "reduced engine power". Suddenly, the vehicle simply stalled itself, coming up with a message that stated "starting disabled/service throttle". I was traveling uphill at 40mph, now with no power…
Engine
160 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system.
Reduce power light comes on. Cars speed drastically reduces. If you pull over and wait for about ten minutes and restart the car,it resets itself.
While driving, fast or slow, my car will slow down abruptly and a "engine power is reduced" warning comes up on the lcd dash. This has also happened while I've been standing idle at traffic lights. I am afraid that one day my car will stop completely while I'm on the highway, resulting in a crash of some sort.
Suspension
117 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
My 08 Impala ss has been going through tires excessively. I replaced the back tires almost 4 months ago and new tires are needed again. The rear tires are wearing on the insides of the tires. I brought this to the attention of my local gm dealer who "assured" me that nothing is wrong with the rear suspension and that…
Vehicle won't hold alignment and when it does it's still wearing out the rear tires at a rate 1/32 per 1,000 miles, it wore out the rear tires in 6,000 miles just lucky that I looked at them when I did. The vehicle has 45,000 miles on it and this is the second set of tires in 6,000 miles.
Steering
94 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, steering wheel/handle bar, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist.
When applying brake steering wheel clunks. Also when turning steering wheel you feel a clunk. Intermediate shaft is issue have had car looked at and problem has been verified.
Recently, the car looses power steering when it rains, or I go through a puddle. I took it to the Chevrolet dealer (best Chevrolet) where I bought it new some years ago. They had no idea what caused it, said they never heard of such a thing. They changed the serpentine belt and tensioner, and it still does it. The…
Speed control
92 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
I have a 2008 Chevrolet Impala ltz. I have had several occasions now when my car has started flashing "service stabilitrak" "engine power reduced" "service airbags" and then all the corresponding lights come on. One of the times the vehicle flashed all of those warnings, the lights came on and the car died, while I…
On friday 5/17/2013 I was driving home from work as I usually do and I made a stop at a red light. When the light turned green and I stepped on the gas to drive, I felt the car jerk and then the engine light came on and a message popped up and said engine power reduced. The car struggled to accelerate often feeling…
Transmission
91 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
When taking off from a start the transmission doesn't engage causing the engine to rev, then it slams into gear eventually. Have also noticed a decrease in power somewhat. Have had it in the dealer for service 3 times and of course they say they cant find anything wrong with it. Kinda crappy since the warranty just…
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure…
Wheels and tires
61 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
Inside rear tires on '08 Impala ss are worn down to the threads. Extreme safely issue since this is not something you would usually notice unless it's up on a lift. Does someone really need to get in a crash and get killed or kill someone before this is a recall?
Vehicle won't hold alignment and when it does it's still wearing out the rear tires at a rate 1/32 per 1,000 miles, it wore out the rear tires in 6,000 miles just lucky that I looked at them when I did. The vehicle has 45,000 miles on it and this is the second set of tires in 6,000 miles.
Stability control
58 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles.
I have a 2008 Chevrolet Impala ltz. I have had several occasions now when my car has started flashing "service stabilitrak" "engine power reduced" "service airbags" and then all the corresponding lights come on. One of the times the vehicle flashed all of those warnings, the lights came on and the car died, while I…
I currently drive a 2008 chevy Impala, I've only had the car 1 1/2 and not even a year after I purchased it, I start experiencing the (tcs) traction control sensor - which alternatively reduce the speed of the engine; it happens sporadically,... I took it to auto zone to have a diagnostic performed on the car, and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Chevrolet Impala recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on september 23, 2014. Owners may contact general motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet). Gm's number for this recall is 14299.
Full defect summary
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 buick lacrosse, 2006-2011 buick lucerne, 2000-2005 cadillac deville, 2006-2011 cadillac dts, 2006-2014 chevrolet impala, and 2006-2007 chevrolet monte carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on august 21, 2012. Owners may contact the chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 chevrolet impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police chevrolet impala vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Passenger air bag ocs algorithm
Summary
The agency received a petition on november 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag occupant classification system (ocs) software logic and algorithm.the petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.on july 22, 2014, NHTSA opened dp14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the fatality analysis reporting system (fars).the agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged ocs issue on the subject impala vehicles and other gm and non-gm peer vehicles.after examinatio
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Impala
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (221 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); engine (160 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles); suspension (117 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Impala have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Chevrolet Impala?
- It is 4th of 21 Impala model years by number of complaints, with 810 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.