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2009 Chevrolet Impala Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 824 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, most often about the air bags (28% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Impala model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2009 Chevrolet Impala problems
Air bags
232 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Stopped at the top of a snow covered hill. Put the transmission in 2nd gear and proceeded down the hill. The vehicle got up to about 15 MPH then lost all power; engine quit, no brakes, and the steering wheel locked in place. Because the brakes were not working the vehicle gained significant speed going downhill. Not…
Service airbag warning light is on for no reason. I see today that there is an electrical short in the 2014 air bag warning system. I think the problem is bigger.
Electrical
224 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn.
I have owned my Impala since march 2010 and while it is an attractive car, I have had nothing but issues. First month a sensor goes out in the acceleration, $230 to replace, in the last 2 years we have had an annoying ticking noise when you turn the car on something having to do with the AC/heater. Seems like everyone…
My Chevrolet Impala reduces the power of the engine down to 20 MPH or less and indicates check traction control and reduced engine power. I was almost rear ended because of this and had to pull off the freeway to avoid further potential collisions.
Engine
199 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
As I was driving on the interstate all of a sudden I feel the vehicle slow down and the message center displays "traction control off" "engine power reduced". I was traveling about 65mph at the time however to maintain that speed after this happened I had to press the gas pedal further. The stabilitrak light stayed on…
As I was driving to golf on monday september 24th, on interstate I-80 heading west, my 2009 chevy Impala onboard computer stated the following, service traction control, reduced power, starter disabled and the check engine light all at roughly the same time. My car completely died and I had no power steering. Luckily…
Speed control
130 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, throttle.
Driving about 25mph on feeder, engine reduced speed without any warning. Then panel showed traction control and engine reduced speed. I was thankful I was going home. Terrified experience. Checked online. Other people bad the same experience and almost costing lives because of claims the engine stops also without…
While my wife was driving (with my three kids as passengers) at highway speeds the message was displayed in the dashboard "reduced engine power" and "service traction control" messages were displayed. The vehicle immediately last power and the speed was reduced to less than 30 MPH, while on the highway. She was able…
Stability control
108 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles.
As I was driving to golf on monday september 24th, on interstate I-80 heading west, my 2009 chevy Impala onboard computer stated the following, service traction control, reduced power, starter disabled and the check engine light all at roughly the same time. My car completely died and I had no power steering. Luckily…
As I was driving on the interstate all of a sudden I feel the vehicle slow down and the message center displays "traction control off" "engine power reduced". I was traveling about 65mph at the time however to maintain that speed after this happened I had to press the gas pedal further. The stabilitrak light stayed on…
Brakes
74 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
When slowing down at any speeds above 30 MPH at times too often I'm getting a violent shaking of the steering wheel left to right about 1" in both directions. It's not causing me to lose control of the vehicle but it is noticeable when riding and doesn't feel nor look normal at all! It feels like the anti-lock brakes…
This has happened several times in the last 2 years, really sporadic sometimes two or three times a day sometimes not at all. While driving down the highway a message pops up on my display stating service traction control and engine power reduced. On several occasions it completely shuts down the vehicle; brakes…
Transmission
68 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. When driving up an incline at various speeds, the vehicle would independently lose power or fail to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.
This the second time this has happened. Wife was driving down the freeway when traction control and check engine lights came on. Car went into reduced power mode and finally died while still moving. Lost power steering and finally brought car to a stop on left inside of expressway. After a short time she was able to…
Steering
57 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving, a very loud sound would come from under the hood and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the rack and pinion seals were leaking; as a result the rack and pinion needed to be…
During normal conditions warning lights flash "service traction control" along with ABS light. There is a grinding noise in the front left side wheel. Also seat belts light flash. Already replaced accelerator pedal sensor.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Chevrolet Impala recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on august 1, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. Gm's recall campaign number is 36110.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 chevrolet impala vehicles manufactured april 25, 2008 through february 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
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.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front safety belts for proper installation of the anchors to the pretensioners and, if necessary, reinstall the anchors. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 5, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 chevrolet impalas for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." the front safety belt webbing may not have been properly secured to the lap belt anchor pretensioner mounted to the side of the seat nearest the door.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: During a passenger-side air bag deployment, pieces of the inflator tube could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the passenger.
Fix: Dealers will install a new passenger-side front air bag. The recall began on october 10, 2008. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling 79 my 2009 chevrolet impala vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a passenger-side front air bag inflator that could fracture at an inflator tube during a deployment.
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.
Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (232 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); electrical (224 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles); engine (199 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 5, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Chevrolet Impala?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Impala model year since 2000, with 824 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.