2009 Chevrolet Impala Electrical Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11727490

Incident

Mar 27, 2026

Smelled an odor of burning wires when using rear defroster. Defroster then stopped working. After further troubleshooting I observed the wire pigtail under the front passenger door was charred and burned. The pin inside the harness that was burned was the rear defroster. After further research I found this is very common for the Chevy impala. However no recall existed. I feel it is a fire risk due to the fact that the wires over heated enough to melt and char the plastic surrounding the electrical pin within the harness. Pictures was taken of the damage.

NHTSA ID

11690540

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

I have a 2009 with 77000 miles 0n it I have fix the knocking noise under dash 3 times now it is a actuator there are 2 of them. I have also found by spraying Carburetor cleaner in the throttle body just remove the the big air hose and spray all around in side this stops the the speed reduction control lite from coming on saying you have no power. The problem I'm having now is while I'm driving the dash lights go out and radio light goes dim. after a while the lights come back on bright and working great they go on and off when they want to The lights showing me the mileage works great all the time its just the dash lights going on and off and my car just pass smog in California in June. I now live in Texas ,I have to have my car inspection here and it failed do to a EVAP and a 02 sensor not responding. They tell cause I replace the battery this cause the computer to reset and these 2 sensors have not reset yet and I have to drive the car 100 miles to make sure they reset to the computer So these are the problems I have been having with my car. You can find your car problem on you tube by putting in the year and make of your car saying what light came up and usually its a easy fix

NHTSA ID

11633331

Incident

Dec 31, 2024

None

NHTSA ID

11608911

Incident

Aug 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact then observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the wiring harness and observed that the wiring was exposed. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 222,000.

NHTSA ID

11589955

Incident

May 14, 2024

Mileage

222,000 mi

Driving home one night, August 8th, 2023 (thank goodness it was night) took a turn and got a service traction control light with a ding ding ding noise (I assume to alert me that something is wrong) and then it said engine power reduced which I assume happens because if your traction control is bad, it doesn’t want you slipping. Immediately called my father and he said to just drive it home and we’ll check it out. Not 2 miles later, my engine just stopped and it went into ignition. I couldn’t steer, I couldn’t stop because the engine was no longer running. I’ve driven a time or 2 (more like backed up) when I didn’t turn my key all the way and it was in ignition and that’s how it felt because it wasn’t on. This was very scary because I thought the car had just gave out. The engine just stopped and I got warning saying "STARTING DISABLED, SERVICE ENGINE THROTTLE " this is my first car, and after reading the complaints on it, I thought it was a recall. We ended up changing out the gas pedal, which made the problem go away right away, and I haven’t had issues with it since. Failure Mileage: 175K

NHTSA ID

11542239

Incident

Aug 8, 2023

2009 Chevy impala Airbag light comes on and off when it wants to bought it from a use dealer ship in 2022

NHTSA ID

11530351

Incident

Oct 28, 2022

Throttle body and throttle pedal

NHTSA ID

11521769

Incident

Feb 7, 2023

While driving the car it would pop up a message saying “ENGINE POWER REDUCED”. Today while driving it home it popped up with a message saying “STARTING DISABLED, SERVICE THROTTLE” and then the car wouldn’t drive and I had to pull over on the side of the road. For months now when I drive and accelerate at times the car would almost grind. I believe it has to do with the traction control or the transmission.

NHTSA ID

11510035

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the seat belt warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Passenger Presence sensor module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V507000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ID

11474183

Incident

Jun 12, 2022

Mileage

59,000 mi

This is a follow up on air bag heat ac controls and dash operation found gauge cluster burned out smoked blew a 1 amp fuse under hood last owners were under dashboard because screws were missing This year of car had 4 recalls airbags under the right seat wires.my car was not included because of production date there is something GM MISSED ON THIS CAR ELECTRIC AREAS CARIS DRIVEN CAREFULLY SOMETHING MADE THAT HAPPEN CAN YOU LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS MATTER ITIS COSTING ME MORE THAN CAR

NHTSA ID

11421355

Incident

Nov 9, 1965

IN APPROX 2013-2014 ACTUATOR AFFECTING HEATING AND COOLING IN THE VEHICLE NEEDED REPLACED, THEN AGAIN ACTUATOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT IN 2016-17 AND AGAIN NOW. THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. THIS IS AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE DURING EXTREME TEMPERATURES WE EXPERIENCE. ACTUATOR MAKING HORRIBLE CLICKING SOUND AND CAR WILL NOT HEAT UP OR COOL DOWN AS APPROPRIATE 1ST OCCURS APPROXIMATELY 2013-2014 AROUND 90,000 MILES, AND AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 2016-17 AND AGAIN IN 2021

NHTSA ID

11412944

Incident

Apr 9, 2021

Mileage

90,000 mi

SAFTEY AIR BAG ...LIGHT COME ON AND STAYS ON

NHTSA ID

11404083

Incident

Jan 4, 2021

GAS PEDAL HAS LAG TO IT. ALMOST EVERY TIME YOU GO TO TAKE OFF SOMETIME IT DOESN'T RESPOND TILL YOUR QUARTER WAY INTO PUSHING PETAL MUST PUSH PETAL FARTHER IN BEFORE IT WILL ACCELERATE CAUSING IT TO JERK HARD. MY FRIEND HAS SAME CAR AND PROBLEM ALSO SERVOS IN DASH FOR HEATER KEEP CLICKING AND MALFUNCTIONING AFTER MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS, MY OTHER FRIENDS 2010 IMPALA DOES THIS AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

11402517

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

180,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11399081

Incident

Jan 7, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

I'VE BEEN HAVING CRAZY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY IMPALA 2009 WHEN I PUSH THE BUTTON TO MOVE MY CHAIR MY LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF AND WHEN I START MY CAR IT SHAKES IN THE HOOD ALSO

NHTSA ID

11387863

Incident

Jan 13, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

MY CAR STARTED PUTTING AN EVERYTHING WAS DIM WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT AN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BOTH WERE ON

NHTSA ID

11385503

Incident

Dec 26, 2020

Mileage

156,000 mi

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 BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE WHEN IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I WENT ON A CHEVROLET FORUM & READ THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I WAS VERY PLEASED ABOUT THAT. I PUT IN MY VIN & IT STATED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. SO I CALLED GM THIS MORNING. THE REP SAID THEY'RE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR IT. SHE THEN SAID THAT IT WOULD'VE COVERED BY SPECIAL WARRANTY BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS UNAVAILABLE AS OF APRIL 2019! HER ADVICE WAS TO TAKE IT TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT CHECKED AND FIXED SOON FOR MY SAFETY! I ASKED WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL, IF IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHE SAID I COULD TALK TO A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP AND MAYBE THEY COULD DO SOMETHING FOR ME. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID

11377328

Incident

Nov 25, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. ON THE HWY GOING 60MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ARE BOTH ON. WENT TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION (WHICH I FAILED DUE TO THE AIRBAG) AND HE INFORMED ME TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL. I DID, ONLY TO FIND OUT THE RECALL IS CLOSED AND I CAN'T GET THIS FIXED UNLESS I COME UP WITH A LOT OF MONEY. I EXPLAINED I NEVER GOT ANYTHING FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE RECALL. HOW CAN I GET MY CAR FIXED ON A CLOSED RECALL?

NHTSA ID

11364060

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

PURCHASED VEHICLE AND THE FOLLOWING DAY THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. LATER ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE AIR BAG IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND AND THEN STOPPED. JUST RECENTLY IT BEGAN MAKING THE KNOCKING SOUND AGAIN WHEN I OPEN MY CAR DOOR, AS WELL AS CLOSE IT. IT LASTS ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND THEN STOPS.

NHTSA ID

11351154

Incident

Jun 2, 2020

Mileage

134,355 mi

I HAVE PAID TO HAVE ACTUATORS ON BOTH SIDES REPAIRED FROM ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASED 5-11-2012 TO 6-2020 A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES. THE LAST TIME IN DECEMBER 2029 AND IT STARTED CLICKING A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPAIR. IT STARTS CLICKING AS SOON AS I UNLOCK THE DOORS AND CONTINUES TO CLICK AFTER LOCKING DOORS. I RETIRED DUE TO HEALTH FIVE YEARS AGO AND UNABLE TO GET ANOTHER CAR. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPAIRING ACTUATORS. I HAVE WRITTEN TO GM AND CALLED ASKING THAT THIS BE MADE INTO SOMETHING THEY WOULD REPAIR NO CHARGE AS I HAVE SINCE TALKED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TO USE THE THE CAR DRIVE MY HUSBAND TO VA FOR TREATMENTS AND DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS AND IT GET VERY WORRISOME AS I HAVE TO DRIVE 140 MILES ROUND TRIP EACH TIME. ALL I ASK IS FOR GM TO AKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND FIX MY CAR.

NHTSA ID

11329887

Incident

Jun 20, 2020

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE CAR LOT AND THE SENSORS KEEP GOING OFF, THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T LOCK UP, SOMETIMES IT SAYS ENGINE IS HOT TURN OF AC WHEN IT ISN'T ON. AND WHEN TURNING IT'S WILL SOMETIMES MAKE A VIBRATING NOISE THAT WON'T ALLOW ME TO GO THEN THE ACCELERATOR KICKS BACK IN TO GO. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324250

Incident

Mar 4, 2020

Mileage

230,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE COMES ON IN MY DIC EVEN THOUGH MY OIL IS PERFECTLY FINE MY REAR TURNING SIGNAL IS NOT FLASHING BUT IS LIT AND WORKING FOR EVERYTHING ELSE MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHORTS OUT AT TIMES EVEN AFTER I REPLACED THE SENSOR PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF EVEN WITH PASSENGER INSIDE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V507 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 14V355 I BELIEVE THE TRUE PROBLEM IS THE BCM THE DOOR ACTUATORS ARE FAULTY

NHTSA ID

11321868

Incident

Apr 21, 2020

Mileage

131,000 mi

IT WILL NOT CRANK I INSTALLED A BRAND NEW STARTER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

11267266

Incident

Oct 4, 2019

Mileage

206,576 mi

I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK ON THE STREET IN MY COMMUNITY, AND LEFT IT RUNNING WHILE DROPPING SOMETHING IN A MAILBOX. TRIED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE TO LEAVE, AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CONSOLE SHIFTER WOULD NOT BUDGE. I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE MY CAR JUST A FEW DOORS AWAY FROM HOME UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN MY SON CAME AND SHOWED ME HOW TO REMOVE THE CONSOLE COVER TO PRESS THE SILVER BUTTON AND RELEASE THE SHIFT. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A BTSI (?) SOLENOID OR LOOSE WIRES. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? BEING STUCK COULD BE VERY HAZARDOUS TO SAFETY.

NHTSA ID

11265975

Incident

Oct 2, 2019

Mileage

85,000 mi