Problems · by component

2009 Chevrolet Impala steering problems

57 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala cite steering, 7% of all 824 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
57
7% of all complaints
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“When I make a left or right turn the my car stops and struggles to accelerate. Meanwhile making a loud sound from underneath the front of the car. It sounds like something is getting ready to snap.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2021Steering, WheelsODI 11419469
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2020Steering, Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11353551
“AFTER I GETTING THE TRANSMISSION FULLY REPAIRED AFTER IT WENT OUT OF NOWERE ANYWAY I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME AND THE SINS ARE STARTED GOING CRAZY IN THE CAR AND I AM ONE PAYMENT AWAY FROM OWNING THE VEHICLE AND THE LAST FEW MONTHS STARTING THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR I'VE NOTICED ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER THE SEAT BELT IN THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SIDE DOES NOT WANT TO LOCK ALSO IT'S SAYING THAT IT NEEDS SERVICE AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I BOUGHT THIS CAR BARELY TWO YEARS AGO IN 2017 I'M FINANCING IT ON A LEASE ONCE I FINISH THIS LAST PAYMENT IT'LL BE A LITTLE OVER 7,000 THAT I PAID FOR IT I FEEL LIKE THE DEALER GOT OVER ON ME BECAUSE IT'S MY FIRST VEHICLE AND I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS DOING THIS WASN'T THE CAR THAT I WANTED IF ANYTHING THEY AVOIDED SELLING ME THE CAR THAT I WANTED AND GAVE ME THIS ONE EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR AWHILE BUT SLOWLY STARTED TO ALL BREAK DOWN THE TIRES ARE STARTING TO SAY TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS IS ON AND NEVER GOES OFF THE CAR SHAKES WHEN I DRIVE ALSO THE WINDOWS ARE STARTING TO GET STUCK WHERE THEY MIGHT WANT TO ROLL UP IN MIGHT NOT I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REDO THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE ALREADY…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2019Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11253533
“THE CAR STARTED TO STATE THE AIRBAG NEEDED SERVICING. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND SAW THE RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL. RECALL NUMBER 273230. THE NHTSA NUMBER IS 16V507000. SEPARATELY, THE STEERING WHEEL IS INCREDIBLY STIFF WHEN STARTING THE CAR, AND WHILE MAKING TURNS. NEED BOTH ARMS TO FORCE THE CAR TO TURN. THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE STEERING LOOSENS A SMALL AMOUNT WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE GAS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2019Steering, Air bagsODI 11208860
“TL* 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2018Steering, Air bags, EngineODI 11122925

Showing 6 of 57 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.