While driving on the highway at approximately 70 MPH the car began to lose acceleration and dropped all the way down to 40 MPH. The check engine light, service traction control, service stabilitrak, and reduced engine power message displayed as well. The car began shaking and would not accelerate. I had to pull off to the side of the highway and turn the car off to try and get the issue to subside. Once back on the road, not more than 3 miles later the issue surfaced again. I ended up having to get off the highway and drive (very slowly) back to my house. Not sure if it will be safe to drive back to the dealership to be addressed. I have replaced the wheel hubs and throttle pedal sensor in the past few years in an attempt to correct. This was an intermittent issue until recently and even after having it fixed by a certified chevrolet dealership, the issue occurred again. This most recent incident could have ended in serious injury had I not been lucky enough to not have any cars immediately around me. With the amount of consistent complaints about this particular issue with this particular model of car I hope it can be addressed.
2009 Chevrolet Impala driver assistance complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 147, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I woke up in the hospital with a brain injury, tongue nearly cut in half, thoratic sprain, neck sprain, etc. From what I have been told, I was going at least 60-65 MPH when I had my front end crash and my head went through the windshield. I had numerous issues already submitted to chevy, such as the steering issues I had. The air bags did not deploy. I later was driving down the road and when I was turning my vehicle shut off.
I have been having the service engine light come intermittently along with the service traction control light. I have had a technician look at this for me and advised that the throttle control sensor (accelerator pedal) is going in and out. The accelerator pedal is connected to a sensor that drives the throttle on the engine. When this happens intermittently the vehicle looses engine power and traction control.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the service traction and reduced engine power warning lights illuminated. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not accelerate over 10 MPH. The contact coasted over to the emergency lane and shut off the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
This is the 3rd time: while driving, speed reduces dramatically, service engine indicator comes on followed by warnings: "engine power reduced" and "service traction control". My research on the issue to find out how to fix, shows many people having the exact same problem that isn't getting resolved by gm. Engine power reduction to such a dramatic speed can be extremely dangerous for not only the operator of the affected vehicle, but also anyone else on the road near the driver.
Driving to work and the service traction control light went on then engine power reduced and throttle error and the car would not accelerate and powered down. I was at red light so I turned the car off and turned it back on the car would not accelerate so I turned it off again and waiting put my flashers on, waited a few more minutes and the car finally started to move. I took to the dealership because it's a powertrain issue and I have 100k powertrain warranty and the dealership said it's not powertrain and wanted $778 to repair, I called chevy after seeing the forums only this is a known issue thousands of people with the same complaint and chevy said they are going to work with the dealership. I have to be back at work monday and drive through a very rough neighborhood I do not want to breakdown in that neighborhood.
The traction control sudden went off - traction control light on and service engine light both on - first time of really cold weather/rain snow. Did it one more time and then traction control light is off and service engine is on - I see that this is a huge problem with the impala and extremely expensive to "possibly" repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle began to intermittently shake. The traction control light illuminated. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the throttle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). While driving approximately 35 MPH, the traction control and engine power reduced warning lights illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was able to restart; however, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
This incident has happened several times leading up to the check engine light remaining on. As I would be driving down the road at approximately 45 MPH. The vehicle would suddenly start to jerk to accelerate and decelerate without me wanting to change speeds. Several of these incidents have been while I was driving in traffic. Then the message "reduced engine power" and "service traction control" would appear on the dash and the traction control light and check engine light would come on and stay on. This would also cause the car to reduce its speed and cause significant acceleration problems. I replaced the accelerator position sensor as indicated by a code look up and haven't had anymore problems with the car as of october 25, 2014.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated and the engine stalled. The contact managed to merge over to the emergency lane. After multiple attempts the vehicle restarted and was taken to a dealer for a diagnosis of the failure. The technician diagnosed that the throttle and accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the approximate mileage was 10,600. Updated 11/21/14*cn updated 5/7/2015
The vehicle started to beep and gauges didn't work then work. The gauges went back and forth. The locks locked and unlocked. I started to drive and didn't know how fast I was going because the speedometer didn't work. The engine seemed to work harder to reach highway speed. When I turned the car off, the stabilitrak light came off but check engine light came on. I took the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes for the check engine light but couldn't find what caused the stabilitrak light to come on. They took the electrical harness off and put electrical grease on to keep moisture out. That didn't solve the problem. I still have the stabilitrak light to come on and gauges not to work. Now, it happens when I am driving. I feel that someday this will happen and have no control of my vehicle because one time I felt the power steering to go but come back right away.
While driving, I got to about 60mph and the traction control as well as tire pressure light came on and engine power reduce. I dropped to 40-45mph then system said entering trottle mode and vehicle cut in road. I pulled over, turned ignition off and waited 2 or 3 minutes then I was able to restart vehicle.
2009 chevrolet impala. Consumer writes in regards to traction control problems.
Was driving when the traction control light came on and message came across saying service traction control: then check engine light started flashing rapidly at the same time. Follow by a very loud knocking noise from the engine. Then speed would not accelerate. Turned on flashers and coasted into parking lot. Vehicle had troubles restarting and would not move. Steering wheel was hard to turn. Tries to die while idling after you get it to start. Did diagnostics and code p0300 random misfire detection power train unable to establish a link to the vehicle. Fuel system 2 is ol, lift at 0%, spark plug 13.5, fuel level low 38.8, ecu 14.417, low acceleration. Contacted local chevy dealership and was told it will cost $35 to tow it to their shop and about $85 just to run a diagnostic on their machine. If it is a lifter the cost will be over $700 to get fixed. I purchased this automobile in august 2013 and have just had it a year. So now I have a car payment on a car that doesn't run. I bought it at wk motors in sedalia, mo. This is the second time this car has had issues and without a warranty the dealership wont do anything!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the traction control and engine power reduced warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
I cranked my 2009 chevrolet impala leaving a nearby gas station and the message service traction control flashed, then engine power reduced, and the check engine light came on. My car drove sluggish home at a very slow speed. Luckily I was only about 5 minutes from home. The next morning no message was displayed and the check engine light went off. I took it to advance auto parts and the code p2127 was displayed twice - throttle pedal position sensor. I see most of these complaints are similar to mine I just happen not to be on the highway. Is gm investigating this because this is serious with multiple occurrences?
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the traction control and engine reduce power warning indicators illuminated. Also, the vehicle's speed suddenly decelerated to 45 MPH and the air bag sensor and tire monitoring system indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 2,000. Updated 10/22/2014*lj updated 4/1/2015
Traction control light comes on. Power is reduced. Car runs and drives well. Driving on interstate the light comes on and cuts power. I had to coast to a stop on the side of the highway. We waited 5 minutes and the car started. The light went off for a day and then came back on. I hear of people replacing parts and the problem not being fixed. I can't afford to do that.
The first time was about three months ago in march 2014 but the engine never died then. It just had less power and was better the next time I started the car. Don't know what the mileage was then, maybe about 52k. It happened a couple times that same week and I was going about 40mph. I asked about it in april when the car was inspected and was told they didn't see any problems but that it might be a sensor going out. Then, on july 4th in the mountains in missouri was the next time, going about 70 MPH downhill and this is when it died with like 3-5 second warning. First the light comes on that says service traction control then it says engine power reduced and dies. Nothing works except the brakes. This happened again on 7/12, going about 70 MPH again, died again. Was in the middle lane on freeway and nearly got hit as my car barely moved and had hard time getting to the side of the road. The car did not die, but had very little power, steering was very hard and I felt like I was in extreme danger both of these times. This needs to be recalled!!! So many other reports of same problem not just in the 2009 but later years, where the manufacture should already know this is an issue, but keeps making the car the same way. This is a total outrage!!! I cannot get on the freeway feeling any security and don't have money to keep making costly repairs on this vehicle. Many other problems with this car, but not safety issues at this point.
I was driving on the highway and suddenly lost speed and the engine light came on and also a couple of messages. "reduce engine power" and "service traction control". I have encounter a lot of impala owners with the same problem, which leads me to believe is a manufactures mistake.
I was driving about 25mph in town and my service traction control light came on followed by engine reduce power light.
I was driving on i95 merging onto 175 in columbia, md, my speed was 65mph. My "service traction control" light and "reduced engine power" light came on and my car shut completely off. I had no control over the car, could not apply brakes. I put the car in park and turned the ignition switch to off for a few minutes. Luckily there wasn't any traffic behind me cause they would have hit me and killed me. I waited about 5-10 min turned the car on proceeded to my destination. The check engine light stayed on. I called the service department at bob bell chevrolet on kane street in baltimore. I was several miles from there they couldn't come get the car so I drove it to them. They had my car approximately 2-3 days and could not replicate the incident. Since this time it has happened 8-10 times or more since may 11, 2014 I've called the service department and was to continue to drive it, they can look at it, no codes registered in december when they looked at it so they don't know what's wrong. They want me to bring my car in but don't want to give me a rental. This is too dangerous. I am scared everytime I get behind the wheel of my car.
Service traction control message along with reduced engine power message. Car jerked/hesitated upon stopping and starting at intersection. Reduced speed automatically and couldnt speed up.
While I was driving the service stabilitrak and reduced engine power light came on as well as the check engine light. Luckily I was going slow did not lose engine power. I turned off the car the service stabilitrak and reduced engine power lights were not lit but the check engine light stayed on. When I got in the next day the check engine light was not lit. There were no lights on no check engine for about a week and then it started coming back on again. It has started again on a more recurrent basis. I have read threads about this issue and I'm very disappointed that gm has not done anything about this. I have read threads on this issue on your website and apparently it is a problem with the impalas.
In april 2013, the traction control and ABS warning light began coming on, in my 2009 impala, when making a left turn. The lights began to come on more frequently and would stay on for longer times. I took the car to the dealer but they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. The problem has been an ongoing problem since I purchased this vehicle.the lights would stay on for a longer period of time. The problem has not been fixing by the dealer. But they keep charging me $100 per visit.
In february 2014,the traction control and ABS warning light began coming on, in my 2009 impala, when making a left turn. The lights began to come on more frequently and would stay on for longer times. I took the car to the dealer and they replaced the left hub. This solved the problem for about a month and then the traction control and the ABS warning lights began appearing again. Each time the lights would stay on for a longer time. The car is now in the shop for the second time for this problem.
While driving the car displayed "power reduce". Then the car slowed down by itself. The next day the car lost power. Today, the car is stating the same thing and signal turn themselves on, and once the car is off the doors want lock you have to manual lock the doors. The car have been jerking while driving and making a funny noise.
When I drive all of a sudden the check engine light comes on with a reduced engine power warning and a message to check stabiltrack. After three or four shutting engine off and restarting the car the light goes off from anywhere to 3 or 4 days to maybe a month or so. It is intermittent. The dealer says it has never heard of that happening and I can't believe that. My car hasn't stalled as of yet but I am concerned of the safety of my passengers and myself.
I was driving my 2009 chevy impala traveling at about 45-50 MPH when the "reduce engine power" message came up followed by "check traction control". The car then became sluggish and slowed down to about 15-20 MPH. It then shut off without warning and it seems as though the power steering went out. I had my daughter in the car with me and thank god traffic was light because with that happening it was an accident waiting to happen. I am concerned because it seems like this has been a common problem with this car for a few years and there has not been a recall yet. Is gm waiting for someone to die. No one seems to be able to pinpoint what the problem is and I don't think it's fair that someone has to pay money to fix what may be a problem. Something needs to be done because this is not safe at all. I see a lot of impalas in my town and it's scary to think that at any time this can happen to any one of those cars, mine included, and seriously hurt or kill someone. Gm needs to step up and do the responsible thing for the people who invested their money in the gm brand.
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