VehicleVerdict

2009 Chevrolet Impala problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,368 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 304.0 times the median Impala year — the 2009 model ranks #2 of 52 Impala years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 83 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 379 reports (28% of the total).

1,368

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

89

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

83

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Impala years?

See all Impala years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Impala problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System37928%
Airbags23317%
Engine20015%
Speed Control13210%
Brakes766%
Transmission685%
Steering584%
Other473%
Tires & Wheels322%
Suspension252%
Latches & Locks222%
Seat Belts212%
Fuel System191%
Body & Structure191%
Visibility & Wipers141%
Seats121%
Lighting91%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V507000AirbagsJuly 5, 2016 · 289,254 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

12V377000SuspensionAugust 3, 2012 · 36,413 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

10V480000Seat BeltsOctober 13, 2010 · 303,100 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy

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.

08V517000AirbagsOctober 6, 2008 · 79 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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> .

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HWY 50 ON A CLEAR DRY DAY AND THE ENGINE LITE COMES ON WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING, SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THEN THE POWER SHUT OFF INCLUDING THE STEERING CAUSING ME TO PULL THE CAR OFF INTO THE DIRT OFF THE FREEWAY. DUE TO THIS MY FRONT BUMPER GOT CRACKED. THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 11, 2013 · crash

MY VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE STEERING. WHEN I CRASHED, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS DRIVING IN A LARGE PARKING LOT AND WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP. I WAS KNOCKED OUT BUT THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF BRAKING OR STEERING. I TOOK MY IMPALA TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 17, 2012 · crash

MY VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE STEERING. WHEN I CRASHED, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS DRIVING IN A LARGE PARKING LOT AND WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP. I WAS KNOCKED OUT BUT THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF BRAKING OR STEERING. I TOOK MY IMPALA TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 17, 2012 · crash

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. WAS IN A COLLISION AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BUT AIRBAG LIGHT STILL COMES ON. ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK WHEN I PRESS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK EITHER. THE LIGHTS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS DO NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 27, 2016 · crash

I BEGAN MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. THE ACCELERATION PICKED UP AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE ABILITY TO STEER. THE BRAKE WOULD NOT PRESS DOWN AND THE VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED FASTER BEFORE HITTING A TREE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 10, 2015 · crash

2009 Chevrolet Impala — common questions

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,368 complaints put the 2009 model at #2 of 52 Impala years. It is one of the Impala years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Impala problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (379 complaints), airbags (233 complaints), engine (200 complaints).

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Chevrolet Impala. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Impala years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Impala years to avoid are 2004, 2009, 2008, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2017, 1996, 2018, 1995, 2019. The cleanest record among Impala years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.