Problems · by component

2009 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

179 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala cite engine, 22% of all 824 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
179
22% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Structure, EngineODI 11570246
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2024Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11563810
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2023Steering, Engine, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11509359
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2022EngineODI 11474856
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2021Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11399081
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2020Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11377328

Showing 6 of 179 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.