My car's engine power was severely reduced suddenly when I was driving on interstate highway 275 north in tampa, fl. A message showed on the dash: " reduced engine power, service traction control" and the check engine light was on. This happened today around 7 pm on oct 30, 2016. My car is a chevy impala 2009. I searched online and found thousands of messages about the same error message of reduced engine power on many models of gm cars including impala, malibu, trailblazer, silverado. This worries me very much as so many same error messages and engine problems happened on so many gm cars. My research shows that gm has done nothing to resolve this problem yet. So this irresponsibility of gm on this specific issue put the lives of hundreds of thousands of drivers in danger. I hope the federal safety agency looks into this problem and pressure gm to issue a recall if possible to take care of this serious problem. Thank you!
2009 Chevrolet Impala engine complaints
Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 199, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving the check engine light and traction control light comes on and reduce engine power reads across the screen. Car slows to 45 miles an hour and turns off. I have had the throttle replaced and the throttle body replaced. The problem still on going....?
I was driving and suddenly a symbol for traction stability came on and then a warning saying low engine power.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact had not experienced a failure with the vehicle until it was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). Shortly after the dealer's repair, the check engine warning light randomly illuminated and the vent controls failed to properly work. In addition, the key fob failed to lock and unlock at different points in time. The contact notified the dealer and they were unable to provide a solution for the various electrical failures. In addition, the brakes were slow to respond and the dealer replaced the rotors, which did not prevent the failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced. The repairs for the brake system did not prevent the failure. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v507000 (air bags, electrical system). The parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the traction control warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000. Updated 10/13/16*lj
Reduced engine power appeared followed by check traction control. Then symbol for check traction control and engine completely in passing lane on interstate 80. Check engine symbol also lit, car completely died and would not restart. Approx 15 min later, it did start with check engine symbol lighted.
Car is currently at 134k miles and just gave me a "reduced power engine", "check traction control", and a check engine light. I googled around and came across a lot of chevy impalas around the same year (07-10) are having the same problem. It seems to be something with the "accelerator pedal positioner pedal sensor. Also reading into it, it claims that this problem can cause the car to suddenly stop from 60mph all the way down to 20 or zero. This is extremely dangerous and needs to be looked into before someone is hurt or killed.
I was on the interstate, going the speed limit. I had the cruise control on when the car alerted me that the engine power reduced and service traction control. I continued to drive as these messages have appeared on my car before. I traveled another 40 miles along the interstate and was about a mile from my exit. I was passing an over-sized tractor trailer going up hill when the car displayed starting disabled throttle service and the car shut off. I was in the left lane and had to initiate my emergency lights and wait for the tractor trailer to pass me so I could move the car over to the right shoulder. As the car was completely shutoff and was just coasting, I had to fight the steering wheel to control the car. I feel like had my situation was just a little different, the car could have came to a complete stop in the middle of the interstate with cars traveling 70+ MPH and possibly caused a crash. I've already replaced the throttle position sensor and that remedied the situation for a couple months. This a highly dangerous occurrence that I know is common with the impala's as I've heard it happening to several other people owning impala's.
This problem started 2 years ago. My car would give me a warning "service traction control. Engine power reduced." then the car would shut off. I took the car to a local mechanic where the fixed a sensor. That was around a year ago. I travel a lot for my job and today I arrived in portland oregon had pulled off the interstate to get fuel, and once I pulled out to the extremely busy intersection my car did this again! I was stopped at a stop light and once it turned green boom car died due to traction control. So now I'm in the middle of a very busy road with traffic going around 45 MPH almost rear ending me. I took the key out of the ignition for about 45 seconds and tred starting it which worked. Foolishly I thought I could at least make it to this parking lot right across the street when I went about 500 feet it did it again, in an even worse spot. I took the key out of the ignition again for 45 seconds started the car and got into the parking lot which was now 50 feet from me. I searched online for what could be causing this and that's where I found at least 50 other people having the same issue and trying to get gm to help. I will not be able to do my job if I can not get from place to place safely. This is a major safety issue that has the potential to kill people.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that engine oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. The remedy was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Receiving a message for service traction control and reduced engine power. The check engine light comes on. This has been happening on and off for weeks. The car slows down. Now there is a ticking noise coming from the car.
I was waiting at a stop light. When the signal turned green, I turned and as I was turning my car began to decelerate and shut down. I had to steer hard to pull over to get out of traffic. I pulled alongside the road. Thinking maybe it was low on fuel, I had my brother get gas and we put gas in it. However, it would not start. Sat for maybe 20 minutes to see if it. Nothing happened. My sister came to give me a jump thinking that I needed one. However, no luck at all. Had to pull the car home. The mechanic thought that it was my starter, put the starter on and still nothing. The end result, my engine has seized on me!!
While traveling home at about 55 MPH car in front of me slammed on their brakes causing me to do the same - then traction control light came on - check engine light came on and reduced engine power came on in the display window - felt like all four wheel jumping up and down when trying to gain any speed weird sound coming from engine (normally quiet).
I bought my 2009 chevrolet impala used in april 2015, and since then I have had the warning service traction control, followed by engine power reduced pop up about a dozen times, with varying lengths between incidents, but not until yesterday did the car respond in any way. Yesterday I was accelerating up an interstate entrance ramp when the service traction control message popped up, then engine power reduced, and I paid little attention until quickly after the second message I realized I had no power, I had the accelerator to the floor and the car wasn't responding, the engine had shut down. So I turned on my hazard flashers and tried to pull over to the berm, but had to fight the dead steering wheel to do so, the power steering had stopped working when the engine shut down. The car wouldn't immediately restart once I had come to a stop, but after letting it sit for a few minutes, it started and I had no further issues getting home. I have read about this problem with this model vehicle here on this website, but this is the first time the engine has shut down on me after the two warning messages, and I was very lucky that there was no traffic in the lane I was trying to merge into when it did happen.
I was driving on the highway when the service traction control came up on the dash along with the traction control light, with in seconds of this happening the car read reduced engine power. The car immediately lost power and slowed down to a maximum of 25 MPH. This sudden loss of power caused the cars behind me to nearly miss rear-ending me. I had to drive in this crippled mode 10 miles to reach the closest exit. It is due to a faulty throttle position sensor. This seems to be a very common problem with these vehicles and can cause a sudden loss of power.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 cherolet impala. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly lose power and slow down before stalling and shutting off. When the failure occurred, the check engine light illuminated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000.
My name is [xxx] and I purchased a 2009 chevy impala, with 123,000 miles on it, in august 2015 from mac churchill auto mall in bedford, texas. I have had no problems with this car since its purchase until november 29th. While en route to emory, texas, my car started displaying "engine power is reduced" and "service traction control" messages. About 99% of the way there, I suddenly got a lurch and my car slowed down, with steering and braking not working. I was able to get my car off the highway safely but had to use my emergency brake to stop my vehicle and get it turned off. I tried repeatedly for several minutes to get it going again, but it would not start. After about five minutes, the car restarted normally and has performed flawlessly since. However, I am concerned. I've had a garage pull and diagnose the problem. The error codes that were pulled are p2122 and p2138 ,regarding the accelerator pedal position sensor. I've researched this and this appears to be a common problem from what I've been able to ascertain from my research. But I'm confused as to whether this is a recall item based upon this: http://www.naioa.com/v2/modules.php?name=forums&file=viewtopic&t=49934 . I'm now trying to understand whether I can get this fixed because I'm not sure this is covered under my used car warranty and I do not feel compelled to pay for a repair that gm has been aware of but failed to notify my dealership or me as a owner, until I got a letter on 12/9/15 indicating that there may be a problem...well after I started having problems. I want gm to fix this at their expense. It is a safety hazard here in the dfw area because this could reoccur while I'm in heavy traffic and have no way to stop before someone hits me or I hit someone. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My vehicle's ignition switch shut off, which caused me to lose steering. When I crashed, the airbag failed to deploy. I was driving in a large parking lot and went over a speed bump. I was knocked out but the police report indicated there were no signs of braking or steering. I took my impala to the gm dealership over 12 times.
For a few years I've had problems with the accelerator pedal. The first time was roughly two years ago when the car completely locked up and shut down on the highway just before rush hour. I received an error code to check traction control and that the engine power is being reduced. The car then looses speed dropping drastically. The first time I was in the fast lane on the highway and the vehicles computer system shut down. The steering wheel locked making it very difficult to veer off to the side of the high way. Luckily no other vehicles were directly behind me, and I was able to get the car to the side of the highway accident free. I've never been so afraid and terrified in my life. I fear this issue will cause fatalities that can be prevented. I had the car serviced at a chevrolet dealership in ann arbor mi which was an expensive fix! Since I've had the accelerator pedal replaced, the vehicle has shut off two other times followed by the same warning message to service traction control and engine power being reduced. I've written in to gm and they continue to request that I pay a diagnostic fee at a dealership for them to address the cause. I cant continue to pay $200-$300 for this fix when it is a manufacturers issue. This recall has been done on other chevrolet models and I am praying for a recall on the 2009 impala. This is a major safety issue to my family and the drivers who are around me. The issue is still present and is a major concern. The vehicle speed cant exceed 40mph at times, or will instantly drop at unexpected moments. Please investigate this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated along with the warning message "engine shutting off". The engine was then shut off and could not be restarted. Approximately five minutes later, the engine was restarted and the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,683.
Was driving along at 55mph and the service traction system light came on followed by the reduced engine power light. Then the car just completly died. I was able to get to right shoulder and park it. I have done some research and seems that there have been several other folks with the same issue. I can't believe that this car would just shut down and have no control. I had the entire family in the car and was thankful that this didn't cause an accident. I am looking for answers and plan on taking it to the chevy dealership I purchased the car from today or tomorrow.
My car shut down on me on may 15 2015.service traction control and reduced engine power message appeared. I managed to drive the car home at slow speed.this is a safety issue. I have read reports that similar problems have appeared on other 2009 impalas. Some reports said the car shut down completely in fast moving traffic.I had my own mechanic look at the car and the part that needed to be replaced was thea.I.r. System check valve.I later received a notice from chevrolet about another problem that could cause the car to shut down unexpectedly. (app) sensor accelerator pedal position sensor.I believe a recall should be issued for these problems because of the potential for accidents on the highway.also, chevrolet did not cover the cost of the repairs to the a.I.r. Pump. Thank you
I was driving on the highway during rush hour traffic going approximately 65 per hour and the service traction control came on and then said that engine power was reduced. It also had the engine light come on and stayed on all the way home. I then got home safely that time and shut off the car about 20 minutes later went out and all lights had gone off and was back to normal. This has happened at least a dozen times since then. Then on 6/29/15 this happened again on the highway during rush hour traffic. However this time the car said throttle disabled and the car shut off completely in the middle of the highway and I had to try and get to the side of the road without incident. After about 10 or 15 minutes the car then started back up and the lights went out and I was able to drive again. Then later in the day I returned home and tried to leave in my car and it would not start and had no power what so ever. The key also would not come out of the ignition and I just had that recall dealt with on the key. I could have been seriously injured in this last incident. This needs to be recalled and gm needs to pay for what I am out of pocket because I now had to get a rental car to work. I have read pages upon pages of complaints just like mine, which is ridiculous that this issue has not been fixed. Does it take someone getting injured or killed for gm to do something?
Traction control light, and reduced engine power light came on. Lost power to the engine and had to stop. Turned the ignition off. Waited 10 minutes and started the car. Ran fine until I got home. This happened a few times before I took the car in. Found out it was an accelerator pedal position (app) sensor.
Driving on interstate vehicle suddenly lost all power and would not accelerate & quickly decelerated with any prior warning. 18 wheeler almost rear ended me. Instrument panel displayed, engine power reduced,service traction control, service stabilitrak, and check engine light. Finally exited interstate safely and shut down engine thinking it was going to blow up and after 2-3 tries to restart messages disappeared and vehicle seemed to be ok. Took vehicle to mechanic & found codes evidencing the loss of communication between the tac and or the app units causing vehicle to go into limp mode but could not get the condition to reoccur. Mechanic had to remove codes to permit to duplicate problem, could not duplicate and told me to wait until recurred. While looking for repair shop was scared it would happen again received letter from gm stating if the above condition had occurred they would fix. Called gm dealer mentioned letter they refused to repair unless the messages were present on panel, refused to look at the vehicle. Called gm customer service referencing letter, explained gm dealer refused to repair. Was told by angela issue was safety related problem but gm would not admit to safety issue. Gm agreed to pay for one hour of diagnostic time to determine if vehicle qualified for repair, dealer was unable to duplicate problem, refused to repair. Called gm and was told no repair would be made even though the problem had occurred as stated in the letter and to wait until situation occurred again then not to start engine and tow to gm dealer. Was told gm would not pay for tow or inconvenience and if they could see codes they might repair problem. This is definitely a safety issue since when this occurs the vehicle loses all power and basically shuts down and will not accelerate beyond 5 MPH if at all. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx]@gmail.com information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'
The service engine light goes on intermittently. Sometimes stays off for up to a week and then comes back on. Took it to chevy dealership and was told the module for the driver's side air bag needs to be replaced at a cost to me of $730- how can something like this happen when there has been no accident, low mileage or any type of "bumping" to the vehicle. I feel this is a safety issue that gm should resolve. Upon looking into this complaint on the internet, I see there are quite a few that have this same problem. This is something that would effect any driver with this problem if there is a serious accident and the air bags do not go off as intended...updated 10/20/15 *bf updated 11/09/15*lj.....updated 08/11/16 *bf updated 1/20/2016 *js... Updated 10/26/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving at 40 MPH, traction control, engine power reduced was displayed across the message board. The contact independently replaced the accelerator pedal; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving 65 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated and recurred multiple times before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the engine failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
I was driving on the highway and all of the sudden check engine light and traction control light come on. Warnings service traction control and reduced engine power are displayed and all but shuts my car off in the middle of the highway causing cars to slam on their brakes and swerve barely missing me. I get over to the side of the road and turn the car off. Then turn the car back on same messages and won't go no where. Do the same thing again only waiting longer and no messages but check engine light still on. I drive home. Next day no warnings or lights. Couple weeks go by does the whole warnings and lights and slows car down again but doesn't completely shut it down. I was in regular street traffic this time about 35mph. And now it's more frequent sometimes a couple times a day to once every day or two. This needs to be looked at. I'm reading about this problem on a lot of impalas causing major problems and wrecks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the lower engine power warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an unknown part related to the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that an unknown part needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
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