NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 824 owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala. Most complaints involve air bags (232) and electrical system (224). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Impala model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 829 |
| 2001 | 747 |
| 2002 | 808 |
| 2003 | 722 |
| 2004 | 1,073 |
| 2005 | 608 |
| 2006 | 544 |
| 2007 | 627 |
| 2008 | 810 |
| 2009 | 824 |
| 2010 | 442 |
| 2011 | 505 |
| 2012 | 258 |
| 2013 | 272 |
| 2014 | 638 |
| 2015 | 301 |
| 2016 | 890 |
| 2017 | 117 |
| 2018 | 59 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 15 |
“For the last 2 years, the car willl come up saying airbag system issues. There airbag sensor under the passenger side seat will randomly throw a code for the erorr and then turn off. It does not have to be a bump, move the seat, Just goes off. We have had it professionally scanned and it is always the same sensor with the issue. We noticed certian models had recalls but our was not on the list for some reason even though it fits all the other models with same issue. The cost to get it repaired and a chevy dealer is astromical. There are too many dates to count of the light and sesnor error.”
“I believe the passenger seat occupant sensing and airbag issues from recall 16V507 have not been fixed. I am still having issues related to it, even though I had it fixed.”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impala Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Impala Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 29 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Impala Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Impala Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 824 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (232), electrical system (224), engine (179). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Impala at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).