RoadVitals

2009 Chevrolet Impala Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Aug 16, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 824 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsElectricalSuspension
Filed Aug 16, 2024

None

NHTSA ID
11608911
Incident
Aug 16, 2024
Suspension
Filed Jan 11, 2021
Crash reported1 death reported

2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNREPAIRED RECALLS WHICH RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DIPS IN THE ROAD, THE HIGH SPEED, THE LOADING/UNLOADING AND OF THE SUSPENSION CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ID
11388012
Incident
Dec 7, 2014
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed May 12, 2020

JUST KEEPS SHOWING WARNING SIGNALS A TRACTION CONTROL. THE FRONT LEFT STRUT COVER IS CORRODED WHICH WAS TOLD TO ME EVENTUALLY THE STRUT WILL COME THROUGH THERE. SHOWING NO SIGNS OF THE FAN WORKING TO COOL THE CAR DOWN WHICH THEN READS ENGINE TOO HOT TURN OFF AC. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324252
Incident
Mar 6, 2020
Suspension
Filed Sep 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 84612117853. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11128681
Incident
Aug 31, 2018
Driver assistanceSuspension
Filed Jun 20, 2016

I HAVE A 09 CHEVY IMAPALA AND MY CAR MAKES THIS AGGRAVATING TICKING NOISE WHEN I ENTER MY CAR WHEN I CRANK UP THE CAR WHEN IM OUTSIDE AND TOUCH HE CAR IT TICKS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO. IT ALSO TICKS WHEN I HAVE TO TURN THE AIR ON FOR THE DRIVER SIDE I HAVE TO LEAVE THE TEMP OR HOT AND WHEN THE TICKING STOPS COMPLETLY ( THERE IS TWO REPS OF IT) THEN I CAN MOVE IT TO THE COLD SIDE.

NHTSA ID
10875189
Incident
Apr 4, 2015
Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 2015

SINCE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING TIRE WEAR PROBLEMS AND NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKES STICKING AND THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THESE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL. SO I LET IT GO ONLY TO GET WORSE SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS BOTH CONTROL ARMS ARE LOOSE A THE BUSHINGS ARE BAD AND HAVE TO BE REPALCED. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF POLICE CARS I THINK YOU MAY NEED TO LOOK AT EXPANDING THIS. I ALSO ONLY HAVE 38300 MILES ON THIS CAR AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE SUSPENSION PARTS ON A CAR THIS EARLY.

NHTSA ID
10795228
Incident
Nov 17, 2015
Suspension
Filed Aug 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND PINIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID
10748772
Incident
Jul 20, 2015
Mileage
62,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Jun 27, 2015

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON , CAR LOSE POWER AND HAS TROUBLE STOPPING WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID
10730817
Incident
Jun 27, 2015
Mileage
75,906 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Oct 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID
10643232
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
94,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 3, 2014

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON THIS CAR FOR THE THIRD TIME,THIS CAR HAS 30,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO HAVE TIRES 3 TIMES.THERE SEEMS TO BE QUITE A LOT OF 2009 IMPALAS WITH THIS PROBLEM.THE FRONT TIMES WEAR ON THE OUT SIDE AND INSIDE.THE BACK TIRES ARE LIKE NEW.THE FIRST SET OF TIRES HAD 10,000 MILES ON THEM, THE SECOND SET HAD 12,000 MILES ON THEM.THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES THE FIRST TIME AFTER A LOT OF ARGUMENT .I HAVE FOUND 37 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. GM HAS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ON THE 2009 IMPALA POLICE CARS,SO THAT IS AN ADMISSION OF A PROBLEM.THEY HAVE NOT EXTENDED THIS FIX TO THE OTHER BUYERS OF THE 2009 IMPALAS.MY CAR ALSO HAD SEVERAL RECALLS FOR OTHER PROBLEMS. I AM NOW WAITING FOR THE IGNITION REPAIR TO BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN A GM BUYER FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10641198
Incident
Oct 3, 2014
Mileage
30,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 28, 2014

HORRIBLE SHIMMY/SHAKE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, EVEN AFTER REPLACING BRAKES AND ROTORS. UNEVEN WEAR PATTERN ON TIRES (ESPECIALLY THE FRONT). INNER TREAD AND OUTER TREAD BALD, EVEN AFTER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. ALSO FEELS LIKE THERE'S SOME STEERING ISSUES TO WORK OUT AS WELL. WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT NOT SHAKE/WEAR TIRES, BUT NOTHING HAS HELPED. GENERAL MOTORS HAS BEEN OF ABSOLUTELY NO HELP EITHER! *TR

NHTSA ID
10629187
Incident
Aug 28, 2014
Mileage
171,200 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 5, 2014

I TAKE A LEFT HAND TURN I HEAR CRACKING; BACKING UP I HEAR CRACKING; LIKE THE FRONT AXLE IS FALLING APART. THERE IS A CONTROL ARM RECALL BUT NOT ON MY CAR JUST POLICE CARS. THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR SOUNDS LIKE THE POLICE ISSUE CAR. I AM KINDA OF SCARED PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC SCARY, TWICE I HAVE HAD THE TRACTION CONTROL COME ON AND SAY IT NEEDS SERVICE; BUT WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF LIGHT DOESN'T COME BACK ON. IT DRIVES FUNNY AS WELL DO NOT FEEL SAFE ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618978
Incident
Jul 22, 2014
Mileage
109,022 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 10, 2014

VEHICLE HAD BAD SHIMMY AND EXTREME TIRE WEAR ON INNER EDGES AND OUTER EDGES. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED NEEDED A TIRE ROTATION AND AN ALIGNMENT KIT - BOTH OF WHICH WOULD BE A CUSTOMER PAY ITEM. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE TIRE WEAR AND ALIGNMENT ISSUE. HE CONFIRMED MY STATEMENT BUT SAID EVEN HIS WIFE'S CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND HE CAN'T GET IT COVERED BY GM AND HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. I HAVE ROTATED THE TIRES PER THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS, I PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE ALIGNED, AND I AM STILL WEARING THROUGH TIRES AT AN ALARMING RATE - CLOSE TO EVERY 16K-19K MILES. THE TIRES ARE BALD ON THE INNER AND OUTER EDGES, BUT HAVE TREAD IN THE MIDDLE. WE HAVE BEEN DIE-HARD CHEVROLET PURCHASERS, BUT THIS IS OUR LAST PURCHASE FROM GM UNLESS THEY STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS AND CUSTOMERS. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AS I HAVE NO TRACTION IN SNOW OR IN RAINY/SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. YOU CAN FEEL IT IN THE WAY THE CAR PERFORMS THAT IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10609559
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Mileage
39,312 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 7, 2014

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION, RIGHT HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. USING NHTSA DATABASE FOUND RECALL ON ONLY POLICE VEHICLES AND CANNOT GET ANSWER WHY ONLY THOSE VEHICLES WERE RECALLED AND NOT MINE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10608511
Incident
Jul 4, 2014
Mileage
87,261 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 2014

CPSC: I1450233A. 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER TO INFORM THEM HE HAD A BROKEN CONTROL ARM, AFTER FINDING OUT SEVERAL OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *LN

NHTSA ID
10598195
Incident
Jul 13, 2013
BrakesSuspension
Filed Sep 28, 2012

I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I BRAKE I NOTICE A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR ALSO SHAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10477358
Incident
Sep 28, 2012
Mileage
94,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 27, 2012

HAD THE CAR IN FOR NORMAL INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED I HAD UNEVEN REAR TIRE WEAR ON REAR TIRES.. THEY HAD TO GRIND THE REAR SPINDLE TO GET PROPER FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT 2011. 12 MONTHS LATE 2012 WAS INFORMED IN 2012 INSPECTION HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRE AND FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND HAVE TWO REAR SPINDLE BOLT TO COMPLETE JOB. THERE WAS NEVER A MENTION OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR IF THE DEALER WOULD STAND HIND THE PRODUCT AND WARRANTY THE WORK DONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10477276
Incident
Jun 21, 2012
Mileage
27,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 25, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE TIRES, HE NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WHEEL CHAMBERS HAD FAILED CAUSING THE TIRES TO CUP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 10/24/12*LJ UPDATED 10/25/12

NHTSA ID
10477034
Incident
Jan 4, 2012
Mileage
23,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Feb 17, 2012

THERE APPEARS TO BE MANY ISSUES RELATED TO BRAKES AND SUSPENSION FOR THE CHEVY IMPALA. AFTER ONLY 10K MILES, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO PULSATE. THE DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THEM. THEY WERE FINE FOR A BIT LONGER BUT THEN THE ISSUE REOCCURED. I AM NOT SURE IF ITS A OVERHEATING ISSUE OR WHAT BUT IT HAS HAD OTHER BRAKE AND SUSPENSION ISSUES AS WELL. THERE IS UNDER 30K MILES ON THE CAR AND IT HAS ALREADY HAD: LEFT FRONT TENSIONER REPLACED, REAR LEFT SWAY BAR REMOVED/REINSTALLED, ROTORS REFINISH, AND A WHOLE NEW SET OF TIRES NOW. WE HAVE HAD MANY OTHER GM VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS FROM BOTH CHEVY AND BUICK. NO OTHER VEHICLE HAS GIVEN US AS MANY ISSUES IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF OWNERSHIP THAT THIS CAR HAS. IT ALL APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION. BASED ON ONLINE SEARCHES, WE ARE NOT ALONE AS MANY IMPALA OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR BRAKE RELATED ISSUES/COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10448291
Incident
Apr 30, 2010
Mileage
10,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 14, 2011

2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE SPINDLE ARM PROBLEM CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES TWICE, DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER ROTATE THE TIRES MORE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10426049
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2011

A 2009 CHEVY IMPALA POLICE PACKAGE CRUISER CAR CAME INTO OUR SHOP THIS MORNING . THE COMPLAINT WAS OF CHIRPING TIRES SOUND AROUND TURNS.UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND THAT THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BUSHING AREA. CAUSING THE ALIGNMENT TO BE OFF AND THE CONTROL ARM TO BE UNSTABLE. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE LEAD TO A ACCIDENT IF GONE UNDETECTED OR RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL DURING A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT. THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS CONDITION. WE HAVE GROUNDED OUR FLEET OF CRUISERS SO THEY CAN BE BROUGHT IN AND INSPECTED ONE AT A TIME.WE HAVE FOUND ONE ADDITIONAL CAR THAT THE ARM IS CRACKED BUT NOT YET BROKEN THROUGH. ALL OF THE DEFECTS HAVE BEEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE UPTO NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10419483
Incident
Aug 15, 2011
Mileage
49,603 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 10, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE FELT THE VEHICLE WAS CAUSING THE TREADING ON BOTH TIRES TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,500.

NHTSA ID
10418378
Incident
Feb 20, 2011
Mileage
33,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/03/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ID
10417664
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
16,000 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Sep 26, 2010

I HAVE A 2009 IMPALA WITH BARELY 15000 MILES. TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AT A FIRESTONE BUSINESS. MECHANIC STATES THAT FRONT TIRES WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION, AND RECOMMENDED 2 FRONT TIRES AND LIFETIME FRONT END ALIGNMENT FOR A COST OF ALMOST 750.00. DID NOT TAKE HIM UP ON HIS "GENEROUS" OFFER. THIS WAS JUST BEFORE THE CAR HIT 15K MILES. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5K, AND UP UNTIL JUST OVER 10K, TIRE CONDITION WAS STATED AS "GOOD-9/32 TREAD IS STILL ON TIRES. SO, BETWEEN 10K & 15 K, THEY ARE NOW NO LONGER ANY GOOD? HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT 2009 IMPALA TIRES WEARING OUT PREMATURELY, AS DID THE 2008'S(WHICH MY WIFE HAS) FRONT END HAS NEVER SHAKEN, SHIMMIED OR ANYTHING ELSE-STILL DRIVES DOWN THE ROAD AT 50 WITH NO PROBLEM AT ALL. AM WONDERING IF GM IS GOING TO GIVE ME A HASSLE ABOUT THIS-NOT A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT FOR THIS MODEL AT ALL! *TR

NHTSA ID
10357671
Incident
Sep 20, 2010
Mileage
15,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEELS REALIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED AGAIN, ADJUST THE TOW AND CENTER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER LATER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,981. UPDATED 08/27/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS UNEVEN TREAD WEAR. UPDATED 08/3010*JB UPDATED 08/31/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10340921
Incident
May 4, 2009
Mileage
21,981 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .