Problems · by component

2008 Chevrolet Impala structure problems

31 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Impala cite structure, 4% of all 810 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
31
4% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The back driver’s side door of my 2008 Impala is not locked, but it cannot be opened. I’ve read online that this happens on other Impalas. Because this is a major safety issue, as well as a major inconvenience, these vehicles should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owners. People should be able to enter and exit through all doors of a vehicle, especially during an emergency. Because of this defect, Impalas should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the owner.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2022StructureODI 11469944
“WHILE IN MOTION, CAR WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH, HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AND A FENCE AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2017Suspension, Structure, WheelsCrash reportedODI 11039657
“REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARM. AUTOMATIC LOCK FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN 'DRIVE' DOES NOT FUNCTION UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE MANUAL LOCK RELEASES, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS MANUALLY. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IF THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION, IT CAN DELAY ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2016Electrical system, StructureODI 10870601
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2016Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10818976
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE KEY USED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE OR TWO REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TWO REAR WINDOWS DOWN TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2015StructureODI 10810518
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2015Electrical system, StructureODI 10790116

Showing 6 of 31 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.