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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,630 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.

2009 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #177

Feb 042024

Impala

  • 81,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The traction control, ABS, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic however, a diagnostic test could not be performed due the excessive rust underneath the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to hoist the vehicle on the lift because safety and liability issues. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #176

Nov 142014

Impala

  • 65,510 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to reverse, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to reverse the vehicle and felt a pulling sensation. The "Traction Control" failure light illuminated. The contact decided to move forward and park the vehicle. After several hours, the contact restarted the vehicle and the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was then able to be driven. The failure occurred several times after the tires were changed. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10090054 (Vehicle Speed Control, Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The vehicle was not returned to the dealer when the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and it was confirmed that the vehicle was past the 10-year coverage for NHTSA ID Number: 10090054 (Vehicle Speed Control, Engine). The failure mileage was 65,510.

- Seaford, DE, USA

problem #175

Feb 272023

Impala

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon open or closing the front driver-??s side door, he heard an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a howling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty door actuator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Compton, CA, USA

problem #174

Jun 012022

Impala

  • 156,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from an independent mechanic, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The mechanic informed her that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall. The independent mechanic took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. A month after the repair, the check engine warning light reappeared. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

- Whitman, MA, USA

problem #173

Jan 072021

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
Car continuously gets a reduced power message and goes down to 25 mph. In mid January did the same thing, but stalled on I90 Ohio turnpike. Almost hit by a semi truck. Have had the car in the shop no less than 5 times for the same problem. At GM and non GM repair shops. We have had this same reduced power on city roads, and the highway, it seems always when it is wet, rainy or slushy. It really appears to be a water causes the problem. We have paid for two sets of throttle body, speed control sensor and harnesses. The problem continues to persist and appears to be dangerous.

- Sand Lake, MI, USA

problem #172

Nov 252020

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
To whom it may concern: I have a 2009 Chevy Impala with 100,000 miles on it. The 1st time this issue happened, I was driving slowly, on a side street, in July 2019. Out of the blue, the following warnings appeared: Engine power is reduced, service stabilitrak, service traction control. Immediately my car started running horribly (it didn't want to go, was chugging, and almost felt like the transmission was slipping). I parked it. Later I started it and all warnings were gone, but the engine light was on.. the next day I started it and just the engine light was on. 3rd day I started it, engine light still on. Drove it to a shop, .right before I pulled in, the light turned off! they scanned it anyway & said that nothing came up. The car has driven just fine, no warnings or lights until 11/25/2020. I was driving about 20mph, turned right on a side street and all of a sudden all of the exact messages as before came on. Vehicle immediately started running slow and "chugging"again. I parked it. When I started it again later, all the same messages were still there. It's definitely scary when this happens & since the 1st time it happened, I was nervous to drive it far because I wasn't sure when it may happen again. I went on a Chevrolet forum & read there was a recall for this issue. I was very pleased about that. I put in my VIN & it stated that there are no recalls. So I called GM this morning. The rep said they're aware of this issue, but there is not a recall for it. She then said that it would've covered by special warranty but unfortunately that was unavailable as of April 2019! her advice was to take it to a certified dealership and have it checked and fixed soon for my safety! I asked why there isn't a recall, if it's a known issue and she said I could talk to a customer experience manager at the dealership and maybe they could do something for me. Please help!

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

problem #171

Jul 172020

Impala

  • 180,000 miles

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

I crashed heading down a hill.I crashed into a telephone pole after my car suddenly revved up, gained speed as I headed towards a telephone pole, with loss of power steering, brakes because my car quit after gaining speed due to the rpms amping up on their own and going down a hill. When I hit the pole, the telephone lines snapped and I was trapped in the car because they landed on my driver window and were shooting out sparks as if they were roman candles and a fire started on the right side of my car in some pine straw. When the firemen was able to get me out of the car he came to the passenger side and by then I had taken my seat belt off and the fireman advised me to get out of the passenger side if I was able and I told him that I was scared to let off the brake because I thought for some reason being out of my head that the car was going to roll if I let off the brake and he took his hand and slammed the car up in to park because I didn't even realize I had not put it in park. He said you can let your foot off the brake because it will not roll and I said I'm too scared.I asked..can I put the emergency brake on and he said yes and when I did it went straight to the floor. Then I continued to come out the passenger side and hop to the sidewalk with my feet together just in case anything was hot and to keep from getting electrocutied just in case something was still hot around us. When I was struck by the airbag the and the seat belt did its job I suppose but for some reason my neck was yanked so hard that it hurts so badd everyday when I didn't go to the hospital.I was unaware of any recalls when I purchased from a dealership on Jan 18 2020. The day before I crashed we were traveling uphill &I had a friend with me that helped grab the wheel until it stopped after it revved up & quit.I attempted to crank it 3xs with success. I was stunned as to why it did it.

- Rockmart, GA, USA

problem #170

Jul 252020

Impala

  • 204,000 miles
This has been happening for several years, and happened again yesterday..... pulled out onto 4 lane divided highway and traction control light came on, dash said "engine power reduced", but did not seem to be significantly low on power. Drove about 5 miles down the road, then car suddenly died. Was able to pull over to side of the road (with three small children in the vehicle), tried to restart the car but display said "starting disabled, service throttle". waited about 5 minutes and car restarted. Was able to drive home, no reduced power but check engine light remained on. I have seen many comments online from others who own similar GM vehicles that have had similar issues. We have also had similar issues with our 2011 Suburban, although no stalling. There should be an immediate recall for all 2008 - 2011 GM vehicles to repair this issue, most likely accelerator pedal position sensor.

- Rocky Mount, VA, USA

problem #169

May 032020

Impala 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Power reduces in heavy traffic. If I slow because of traffic it jerks like brakes are still engaged. Acts like transmission going out. This can cause someone to get run into from behind. There was a recall earlier this year. The mileage was not enough to cover my vechile. There should be no mileage limit.

- Ardmore, OK, USA

problem #168

Mar 062020

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
Just keeps showing warning signals a traction control. The front left strut cover is corroded which was told to me eventually the strut will come through there. Showing no signs of the fan working to cool the car down which then reads engine too hot turn off ac.

- Shelbyville, KY, USA

problem #167

Jun 212019

Impala

  • 100,000 miles

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

While driving, the car in motion it completely loses power. Have experienced this while on highway, interstate, and in town roads. So problem occurs at any speed, and results in vehicle coasting to a stop as the steering and brakes stop working too. Has happened to me hundreds of times as we can not pin point problem, and has replaced numerous different parts trying to solve it. When power loss occurs there is very little to no time at all for driver to coast & steer vehicle & occupants to safety area on side of road. The dashboard information center will state "starting disabled, service throttle" also engine power reduced" and "service stablitrak." A new throttle has been put in vehicle and still does same thing. Over the year ive been dealing with this issue ive noticed it does it more in warm weather. After vehicle coast to a stop and is put in park and turned off, wait 5 to 10 minutes then vehicle will start up and no information or lights display in dash center, like it never happened.

- Harlan, IA, USA

problem #166

Apr 212020

Impala

  • 131,000 miles
While driving oil pressure low stop engine comes on in my dic even though my oil is perfectly fine my rear turning signal is not flashing but is lit and working for everything else my temperature gauge shorts out at times even after I replaced the sensor passenger air bag off even with passenger inside NHTSA recall number 16V507 NHTSA recall number 14V355 I believe the true problem is the BCM the door actuators are faulty

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #165

Feb 012019

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that several warning indicators illuminated, including the ABS, air bag, service traction control, and stability control. The contact also heard banging noises coming rom the rear of the vehicle, resulting in rough driving. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Utica, MS, USA

problem #164

Apr 162019

Impala

  • 47,000 miles
While driving on roads and interstates, I frequently receive a dash notification "engine power reduced" and my service traction control and check engine light comes on. When this happens, my vehicle loses speed and cannot accelerate above 40mph - dangerous, especially on an interstate. The notification lights and symptoms occasionally go away after turning the engine off and on, only to come back later. I cannot find and answer to this problem.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #163

Jul 102018

Impala

  • 10 miles
The radiator fan stop working do to electrical problem I change sensors and relays N still won't work I had auto shop test the fan and the fans works. It stop working on its

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #162

Dec 202018

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
The vehicle shut down and I cannot start it because of the ignition switch causing the entire vehicle to become inoperable. I was pulling up in my drivewaywhen the vehicle shut down.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #161

Dec 012018

Impala

  • 130,000 miles
Earlier this year my car started flashing a "reduce engine power" and "service traction control" together. My car sounded like it was working harder too but I was city driving less than 30mph so I didn't otherwise notice problems. This happened rarely. A few months later I was on the freeway just getting on (flat road) and the warnings came on suddenly. Then as I got over 40mph, my car engine shut down and my steering wheel locked. Luckily I was able to make a slight turn off my wheels enough to get to the side of the road. My car flashes these randomly after random lengths of time of the car being on and driven and it's almost a daily occurrence. I've seen online no one has been able to solve the issue.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #160

Nov 142018

Impala

  • 140,000 miles
The Impala displays service traction control followed by engine power reduced. Throws a code for throttle body sensor, but that does not fix the issue. Accelerator pedal position sensor is another reason they say, which also does not fix the issue. My car has shut off on me going down the interstate, on a highway, and and over a hill. It shuts down and says 'starting disabled, service throttle' with no warning at all. Several people have had the same exact problem and no one seems to know how to fix it. They say wiring but it never fixed anything.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #159

Oct 032018

Impala

  • 133,656 miles
Car drives for 15 minutes then display an "engine power reduced" and "service traction control" light. Car hesitates to accelerate the eventually cuts off after a "service throttle body light" comes on. Car cut off on the highway at 70mph. Whenever there is a problem with the car these lights come on. It doesn't specify what the actual problem is.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #158

Aug 242018

Impala

  • 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 70 mph, the traction control indicator illuminated and the message "losing engine power" appeared. Afterwards, the steering wheel seized and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact applied the emergency brake and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V507000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to yemm Chevrolet Buick GMC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2195 N henderson St, galesburg, il 61401, (309) 271-0106), but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 131,000.

- Gailsburg, IL, USA

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