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2009 Chevrolet Impala problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala is airbags, typically around 78,000 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical Impala model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Year score
56/100
Owner complaints
824
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
1,064
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-23mpg
Typical repair
$400

The worst 2009 Chevrolet Impala problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

Airbag light 136Check engine light 128Loss of power 128Stalling 60Door locks 29Jerking 28No deployment 25ABS 24Knocking 22Power steering loss 18Won't start 18Steering lock-up 16Grinding brakes 14Engine failure 14Key fob 12Ball joint 11Adaptive cruise 9Fuel gauge 7Battery drain 6Brake failure 6Fire or smoke 6Won't shift 6Overheating 5Seat belt 5Tire blowout 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2009 Chevrolet Impala mention

P2138 4P0601 3P2122 3B001B 2B0021 2

Recalls 5

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported July 5, 2016 · 289,254 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Risk
If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

Recall number 16V507000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported June 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles affected
What is wrong
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1‑800‑458‑8006 (Cadillac), and 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

Recall number 14V355000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported August 3, 2012 · 36,413 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Risk
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1‑866‑694‑6546.

Recall number 12V377000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported October 13, 2010 · 303,100 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Gm is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 chevrolet impalas for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." the front safety belt webbing may not have been properly secured to the lap belt anchor pretensioner mounted to the side of the seat nearest the door.
Risk
The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect both front safety belts for proper installation of the anchors to the pretensioners and, if necessary, reinstall the anchors. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 5, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 10V480000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported October 6, 2008 · 79 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Gm is recalling 79 my 2009 chevrolet impala vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a passenger-side front air bag inflator that could fracture at an inflator tube during a deployment.
Risk
During a passenger-side air bag deployment, pieces of the inflator tube could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the passenger.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new passenger-side front air bag. The recall began on october 10, 2008. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .

Recall number 08V517000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala 1,064

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,064 bulletins for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

2009 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD18-192922-23
3.9L 6‑cylFWD172721
5.3L 8‑cylFWD162419

What 2009 Chevrolet Impala owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Airbags · MO

For the last 2 years, the car willl come up saying airbag system issues. There airbag sensor under the passenger side seat will randomly throw a code for the erorr and then turn off. It does not have to be a bump, move the seat, Just goes off. We have had it professionally scanned and it is always the same sensor with the issue. We noticed certian models had recalls but our was not on the list for some reason even though it fits all the other models with same issue. The cost to get it repaired and a chevy dealer is astromical. There are too many dates to count of the light and sesnor error.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · WV

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.

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Electrical · OH

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.

Filed Mar 9, 2025 · Engine · MO

Transmission

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Airbags · 101,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Engine · MD

It rumbles when I start my car

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Electrical · TX

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

Filed Oct 20, 2024 · Transmission · WA · crash · 2 injuries

A piece broke off and had fallen off of transmission when stopped at a redlight when put in gear car didn't want to move had to manually shift to get off the road and towed it home. The piece that broke fell into pan when changing transmission fluid. Believe it's off flywheel possibly forward band.

Filed Aug 16, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

None

Filed Jul 17, 2024 · Body · IN

the frame of the car is rusted . in places almost all the way through the frame. this was confirmed by chevy dealer. this car has always kept in a garage. I kept the car clean going through a car was with under wash.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2009 Chevrolet Impala before you buy

Compare the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

Owners have filed 824 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, 1.6 times a typical Impala model year.

What is the 2009 Chevrolet Impala year score?

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala scores 56 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Impala: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Chevrolet Impala?

Airbags, with 232 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles. Next is electrical (224).

How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have?

5 recalls, covering air bags, electrical system and suspension.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 16V507000, 08V517000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Impala have bad airbags?

The Chevrolet Impala model years with the most airbags complaints are 2009 (232 complaints), 2010 (103 complaints) and 2000 (80 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 29 highway.

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