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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Chevrolet Impala has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 810 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Chevrolet Impala owner complaints

Owners have filed 810 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, describing incidents dated July 3, 2007 to December 5, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 221 complaints
  • Engine 160 complaints
  • Suspension 117 complaints
  • Steering 94 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 92 complaints
  • Power Train 91 complaints

Of the 810 complaints on file, 51 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 810 complaints, owners report 44 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11630566 · Filed

    The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH while in cruise control, a group of birds flew out from under a ditch which caused the contact to swerve and lose control of the vehicle. As a result of the incident, the contact crashed into the ditch. The…

  • ODI #11623770 · Filed

    This is 1 of 2 car seats that we have, both with the same issue. The pull strap that is used to tighten the shoulder straps to secure the child in appropriately is not functioning properly. You can not pull the shoulder straps to the tightness that is required for the child to be secured properly…

  • ODI #11606880 · Filed

    Starfire Solarus AS All-Season 225/60R16 98H- Car started shaking violently while I was driving it- seemed to be coming from rear tire. Limped it home, removed driver side rear tire, and noticed substantial bulge where tread was separating. Replaced tire with another brand. Several months later…

Read all 810 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Chevrolet Impala mileage at failure

656 of the 810 complaints on file for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Electrical SystemMedian 85,000 milesMiddle half 60,000–115,000 milesBased on 165 complaints
EngineMedian 90,000 milesMiddle half 65,000–120,000 milesBased on 137 complaints
SuspensionMedian 40,000 milesMiddle half 20,000–70,000 milesBased on 96 complaints
SteeringMedian 65,000 milesMiddle half 45,000–105,000 milesBased on 77 complaints
Vehicle Speed ControlMedian 100,000 milesMiddle half 60,000–135,000 milesBased on 78 complaints
Power TrainMedian 80,000 milesMiddle half 60,000–110,000 milesBased on 76 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Chevrolet Impala in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V355000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 3,141,731 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14299 · Owners notified September 23, 2014 · Vehicles built March 19, 2007 – July 25, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Lower Control Arms

NHTSA #12V377000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported August 3, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 36,413 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12104 · Owners notified August 21, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM's campaign number is 12104.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Chevrolet Impala model years

Check your 2008 Chevrolet Impala VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Impala at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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