ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2008 Chevrolet Impala
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 810 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1,003 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2016 | 2 | 694 |
| Jan 2017 | 5 | 699 |
| Mar 2017 | 2 | 701 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 702 |
| May 2017 | 3 | 705 |
| Jun 2017 | 3 | 708 |
| Jul 2017 | 5 | 713 |
| Aug 2017 | 4 | 717 |
| Sep 2017 | 2 | 719 |
| Oct 2017 | 4 | 723 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 724 |
| Dec 2017 | 4 | 728 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 729 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 730 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 731 |
| Apr 2018 | 3 | 734 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 735 |
| Jun 2018 | 3 | 738 |
| Jul 2018 | 4 | 742 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 743 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 744 |
| Oct 2018 | 3 | 747 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 748 |
| Jan 2019 | 4 | 752 |
| Mar 2019 | 4 | 756 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 757 |
| May 2019 | 3 | 760 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 761 |
| Jul 2019 | 4 | 765 |
| Aug 2019 | 2 | 767 |
| Sep 2019 | 2 | 769 |
| Oct 2019 | 5 | 774 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 775 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 776 |
| Feb 2020 | 4 | 780 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 781 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 782 |
| Jul 2020 | 2 | 784 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 785 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 786 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 788 |
| Jan 2021 | 2 | 790 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 791 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 792 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 793 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 795 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 796 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 797 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 798 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 799 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 800 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 802 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 803 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 804 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 805 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 806 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 807 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 808 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 809 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 810 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical22119.5%
- Engine16014.1%
- Driver assistance13011.5%
- Suspension11710.3%
- Steering948.3%
- Powertrain (other)857.5%
- Other / unspecified585.1%
- Airbags504.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Passenger Air Bag OCS Algorithm
The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 air bags did not deploy upon impact which caused the contact's face to hit the steering wheel. The contact was later transported to the hospital via an ambulance where she was treated for a concussion. Additionally, the contact suffered several cuts and bruises to her face with additional bruising to her left leg and hip. A police report was filed; however, the report was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11630566
- Incident
- Dec 5, 2024
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
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. This is a huge safety risk to my children when we are not able to tighten them correctly. I had the car seat looked at by CPST [XXX XXX] with the City of Waite Park, and there is no user error, the straps aren't pinched anywhere. She herself was having a operating the car seat and advised us to stop using it and get it replaced. I have reached out to Evenflo and they are unwilling to fix the issue. They tell me that the car seat is "far out warranty so they cannot assist me further with the seat." I am in disbelief that they are unwilling to replace the defective seats. I do have a video of Alicia trying to tighten the straps and it shows her struggling to accomplish that. I am unable to attach them here. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11623770
- Incident
- Oct 31, 2024
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, same thing happened, and removed the remaining Starfire Solarus AS All-Season 225/60R16 98H tire, the passenger side rear tire, and noticed same defect. I bought both tires Mar 15, 2021 on Amazon, but have driven car very little. Unfortunately the shop that installed them didn't note mileage on receipt but the tread looks brand new (other than the defect). Looked at amazon and noticed other customers reporting the same defect! [XXX] I think these tires are very dangerous and are going to cause somebody to get injured or worse, especially since both tires are affected by defects and other consumers are reporting the exact same issue on amazon reviews. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11606880
- Incident
- Aug 6, 2024
The key gets stuck and I can't remove the key; I can't take the key out and then the battery drains and car is dead.
- NHTSA ID
- 11603063
- Incident
- Jun 8, 2024
Dash cover crumbled and falling apart. Even though I have kept it cool and covered with a condition. It's falling down into my car fan for heating and cooling
- NHTSA ID
- 11594362
- Incident
- Jun 14, 2024
At a complete stop, press the gas to go and the car will not go. Kind of like its struggling to catch gear and then all of a sudden it with catch jerk hard. That's an issue for a few reasons. If you have to pull out for somewhere that traffic doesn't stop or yield, and the car is barley rolling trying to catch gear, there's the risk of getting hit. When the gear catches, and the jerk happened it's not a small jerk, i feel it's a safety hassard to small children. When my son was 4 months old it started and it jerked him pretty hard. My mother in law is the original owner and had it checked several times with no resolution.
- NHTSA ID
- 11574386
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2020
The engine electric brakes all shut down steering wheel locked up and my daughter smashed into telephone pole on August 31 2023. Airbags didn't deploy for front and side airbags were deflated no air.no warning lights prior that I'm aware of. My daughter was injured PCS and cervical sprain
- NHTSA ID
- 11542674
- Incident
- Aug 31, 2023
When I turn the ignition key and start my car engine, I then shift the automatic transmission into “drive”, but there is no forward acceleration power, and I have no idea why this is.
- NHTSA ID
- 11520520
- Incident
- May 4, 2023
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 49.1 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 52.7 |
| 2018 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 45.3 |
| 2017 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 39.1 |
| 2016 | 111 | 0 | 0 | 41.3 |
| 2015 | 299 | 3 | 0 | 50.3 |
| 2014 | 631 | 12 | 2 | 57.3 |
| 2013 | 270 | 1 | 0 | 38.4 |
| 2012 | 258 | 3 | 0 | 51.6 |
| 2011 | 505 | 2 | 0 | 45.1 |
| 2010 | 441 | 4 | 0 | 48.6 |
| 2009 | 824 | 5 | 0 | 50.4 |
| 2008Viewing | 810 | 2 | 1 | 51.8 |
| 2007 | 627 | 3 | 0 | 51.8 |
| 2006 | 524 | 2 | 1 | 56.2 |
| 2005 | 609 | 4 | 0 | 51.9 |
| 2004 | 1,072 | 7 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 2003 | 694 | 8 | 1 | 57.9 |
| 2002 | 795 | 7 | 2 | 60.4 |
| 2001 | 742 | 10 | 2 | 62.8 |
| 2000 | 818 | 10 | 2 | 63.4 |
| 1999 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 88 | 1 | 2 | 44.9 |
| 1995 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 43.5 |
| 1994 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 42.6 |
| 1993 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1983 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1958 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.