Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,444 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Chevrolet Impala brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #38

Sep 052015

Impala

  • 128,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was a random failure with the service stability link and service stability traction control. In addition, the service engine warning light illuminated frequently followed by a drastic reduction in speed without warning. The contact had to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road each time the failure recurred, turn off the vehicle to reset the computer, and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop who was not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and was to be taken to a dealer for inspection and diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #37

Feb 232015

Impala

  • 123,000 miles
The issue with my 2008 Impala is a well documented problem with this particular make. The car reduces power at highway speeds and the ABS and service traction lights stay on. There does not seem to be a fix for the issue. I actually would like to form a class action lawsuit against GM to have this recalled. Only govt. Issued vehicles were recalled. Along with police models. I was traveling on an interstate in 9/7/15 when my speed suddenly dropped. This is a serious and can be fatal issue for a number of models and years. Please advise of pursuing the suit.

- Fishers , IN, USA

problem #36

Sep 252014

Impala

  • 107,500 miles
While driving my car on the freeway suddenly the check traction control light came on and there was reduced engine power. I was traveling at a rate of 75 mph and quickly went down to 45 - 50 mph causing a 3 car rear collision.

- Saint Paul , MN, USA

problem #35

Jul 222015

Impala

  • 103,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While I was driving my car, about to accelerate, all of a sudden, a "service traction control" message came on and seconds after that, there was a "engine power is reduced" message. At this point there was some hesitation in the vehicle. I pulled over and shut the car off. When I turned the car on, after 2 minutes, I received the same message. I took the vehicle to my mechanic, and he couldn't find anything wrong with it. I called my locale GM dealer and for a "nominal" charge, they would take a look at it. Since then, I have researched it on line, and have found that there have been numerous complaints about the same issue. It is a shame that GM has done nothing to fix this. I'm glad I was not on the highway when this happened, as the loss of speed and lack of acceleration could have caused an accident.

- Valley Stream, NY, USA

problem #34

Jul 212015

Impala

  • 81,352 miles
Traction control needs service message displayed, then throttle disabled message displayed shutting the engine off going down the road. So therefor no power steering, brakes etc. Once pulled onto shoulder car would not crank. Had to wait five minutes until the gauges flickered and then car was able to be restarted. This is highly dangerous if not where to pull off or being followed closely. Not to mention not power steering assist or brake assist. This could very easily cause a crash and there for should be a recall issued before people are injured or killed by this!

- Griggsville, IL, USA

problem #33

Jul 082015

Impala

  • 123,000 miles
I was driving on interstate 81 in cny when my dash lit up and said "service traction control, reduce engine power" at that point my car would not down shift to accelerate. About 15 miles down the road my car said "service throttle control sensor", and the engine shut off!!! I was just coming out of a huge work zone and I lost power steering and power brakes in the left lane of a 3 lane highway. I made my way to the shoulder as safely as I could and was unable to restart my car for at least 5 minutes!!!!!! 3 days later it did it all over again on a country road thankfully!!. I remember the reduce engine power service traction control had acted up once before in 2012 right after I bought the car. This needs to be recalled immediately before someones engine shuts off when they are going faster than 45!!!!!!

- Mcgraw, NY, USA

problem #32

Apr 062015

Impala

  • 103,084 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Case # [xxx] our rear tires are wearing out twice as fast as the front tires. I went to costco yesterday to have my tires rotated, after looking at the rear tires we had to buy new ones because the back tires were worn down to the metal backing.. there had been a service bulletin sent out in 2011 to replace the spindle rods on all the 2007 and 2008 Impala's that were sold as police cars to fix this problem that they were having with rear tire wear. I would like to see that service bulletin extended all the other 2007 and 2008 Chevrolet Impala's. this is a major safety problem and people are going to be killed if this problem is not fixed you just don't expect the tires to wear out so fast. We had just finished a trip were we drove freeway speeds up to 75 miles an hour. After seeing our tires I don't know how we keep from having a blow out on the back tires. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lake Tapps, WA, USA

problem #31

Dec 312014

Impala

  • 182,000 miles
On this day I was driving normal speed, climate and roadway was dry and free of debris. The traction control light came on and the car began to shift hard when accelerating after a stop. Today, January 5, 2015 while operating under normal speed and dry climate the check engine light came on along with traction control, which has remained on since the initial incident. The car began jerking and the engine shut off while traveling at a rate of 40mph. I was almost hit by the vehicle behind me, however thankfully managed to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. My children were in the car with me. I shut the car off in hopes that the lights would reset, but they did not. I have contacted GM and in my opinion they couldn't care less about this issue. I have researched several online forums and see that this appears to be an issue with many Impala owners. A few even stated they had wrecked their vehicles due to the engine shutting down while experiencing the exact same issues. Why has this issue not been addressed? I see reports dating back to 2010. The same danger that warranted an ignition switch recall is happening in these cases as well, these cars are shutting off while being driven.

- Gordonsville, TN, USA

problem #30

Dec 032014

Impala

  • 110,000 miles
Out of no where while driving the display says "engine power reduced" and then switches to "service traction control". I have limited power, the check engine light comes on and so does the traction control light. I can drive the car to where I am going, but no acceleration.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 012014

Impala

  • 87,660 miles
When I started my vehicle, the service traction control message appeared. Also, the check engine light and reduced engine power message. During my drive to work I could not go beyond 40mph or 2rpm.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #28

Oct 272014

Impala

  • 61,850 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So im drving down the expressway I57 at about 85mph and the car beeps 3 times displaying service stabilatrack/ service traction and check engine seconds later the car completely cut off. While in traffic.

- Country Club Hills, IL, USA

problem #27

Jul 182014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 113,455 miles
The airbag light will not go out, the stability control light comes on and the car loses power and the engine starts to cut off. I have sent my car to the dealership twice for the same problem I have even called the Chevrolet corporate office. Each time I get a different answer as to what the problem is the first time. I was told it was sensors that needed to be replace and that it would cost $1200. This time I was told it was the spark plugs that is causing the car to shut down and the cost would be around $400 or $500. The first service in July my receipt says they did a multi-point inspection would that not tell them my plugs were bad? my car is still at friendly Chevrolet in dallas can you please help. My daughter drives this car and she a high risk pregnancy.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #26

Sep 122014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
I was driving to work going about 60 mph on the beltway and the traction control light came on and then the notification light said that the engine speed was reduced check traction control. I couldn't go past 40 mph. I made it to work and parked the car. I went back 8 and half hours later thinking it wasn't going to start or I wasn't going to be able to get home. I started the car and was fine. I haven't had the issue since. Of course I researched and this is an ongoing issue with this car. Hopefully there will be a recall. It is a shame that people have to pay money to fix things that many are having issues with. Apparently, it is the travel pedal sensor. So now I have to fix the travel pedal sensor and get the key from being stuck in the ignition. Another complaint made today by separate entry.

- Newburg, MD, USA

problem #25

Apr 172013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
While driving 65mph vehicle just died. Was not able to start for about 15 mins. This has happened several times nearly causing several accidents. The vehicle intermittently has reduced engine power while driving and jerks from a complete stop sometimes. Now the oil engine pressure/turn off engine light and alarm go off all the time. Replace the sensor, but to no avail. The loud knocking sound from the dash is utterly annoying. I think the fact that only the police cars got recalled is insane, no matter what the recall was. I'm sure once they took those vehicles in; all the other issues I have mentioned were also fixed. Also the rear driver side power lock is faulty and unsafe when traveling with young children. I honestly believe with so many consumers having the exact same problems, GM should issue a recall on these vehicles before several tragedies occur and we then just become statistics. Please help. There are so many of us out here with the exact same issues on these Impala who should not have to pay for the repair of something that apparently should be recalled by GM. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Updated 2/18/2015

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #24

Jun 202014

Impala

  • miles
Service traction control/engine power reduced lights came on dash. Car lost all power and when stomping the gas pedal speed would resume, very hesitant from a dead stop. Car was jerking, shut off traction control and car jerked then too. GM needs to fix this before there are deaths. Also I have no unlocking doors. They have to all be manually unlocked. Battery was replaced in car and on key fab. Gas pedal sensor and throttle body sensor are the triggered codes, GM needs to find the real solution as these don't seem to fix problem.

- Eureka, IL, USA

problem #23

May 212014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
This is the second incident we have had with our 2008 Chevrolet Impala where this problem has occurred. The most recent incident was on Wednesday May 21st, around 730 pm. My wife was driving on a road with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour, she said she was going about 48 when the traction control light came on, and the messaging system indicated "reduced engine power." When this happens the vehicle slows rather rapidly, and then it is impossible to accelerate beyond about 30 miles per hour or so. Due to the rapid decline in speed and the fact that this occurs without warning, I believe this should be an immediately acted upon problem. I contacted GM only to be told that I have to take it to get it looked at by one of their local dealerships, and pay for that diagnostic. In my online research I have discovered many, probably in the hundreds, who've experienced this identical issue. Some of which have take their car to GM who has concluded according to post of experiences on edmunds that they were unable to determine the source of the problem or repair it. This is a problem that require immediate attention. I can't imagine how differently this could have gone should my wife have been going 75 mph on interstate 80. We live along I-80 and travel it frequently. However as a result of this problem we are essentially unable to trust our vehicle beyond about 50 miles per hour.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

problem #22

Sep 182013

Impala

  • 8,700 miles
I drive the car and it says engine power reduced stabilatrak it slows down and it feels forced to drive so I pull to the side of the road wait about 10 to 15 minutes and it starts but then it got to the point were it wasn't even drivable with it stating engine power reduced stabilatrak so I called Chevy in modesto ca asked if there was a recall they said no and I told them I seen a lot of complaints on line with the same problems I was going through they said you cant believe everything online miss I took the car into the a mechanic I know he diagnosed it as being a throttle sensor and pedal sensor charged me 587$ I thought the problem was solved a week later it did again engine power reduced but this time it started over heating to ive had nothing but problembs with this car ive also changed the tires numerous times the sensor for tires is always lighthing up and saying check left front tire or back tire I take it to the tire shop they say tires are fine but the back ones need to be changed I change the back tires it still says check back tires ive also had the suspension fixed a few times when itswindy I feel the car moving from side to side I also have had engine problems with the transmission was replaced nowit has has 2 blown head gaskets all in all the past 2 to 3 years I have payed 4 to 6,000 in repair and itsstill running like with it stating engine power reduced stabilatrak I need my vehicleto befixed of this problem.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #21

Feb 262010

Impala

  • 43,000 miles
Every time I would drive the 08 Chevy Impala the key would not turn all the way out. It did that for about a week. Then when I made it to work it did the same thing. Came out to go home it would not start at all the key wouldn't turn over. So we had to put it in manual mode to drive it to a shop. A wire in the handle to change gears broke because I was told the wire was to short. Now this was 42 or 43 thousand miles now at 82 its doing the same thing again. Why no recall?

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #20

Dec 082013

Impala 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the traction control, stability track and engine reduce power warning lamp illuminated. After the warning lamps illuminated, the vehicle suddenly decelerated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 92,000....updated 03-12-14 the consumer stated the problem was intermittent

- Monroe, NY, USA

problem #19

Dec 022013

Impala

  • 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 was driving. It lost all power and it took everything I had to steer the vehicle off the road. I had my [xxx] year old with me that time and was scared I was not going to be able to get us to a safe spot to sit and wait for help. The most recent incident happened last evening on my way home from work. I was driving on the freeway going about 75mph, the warnings flashed and then my car lost power and felt as though it was not handling the road as well as it should. I live in mn and we are in the middle of winter now. I need my car to be safe and I rely on this car to get my son and I to where we need to go safely! this is the only vehicle I have and cannot afford for something to happen to it. I have been reading several forums about others that this is happening to and can't help but feel there has to be something more to the situation. I would feel horrible if something ever happened to my family or anyone else because of my faulty vehicle!! this needs to be figured out and taken care of. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dayton, MN, USA

Read the next 18 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?