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2009 Chevrolet Impala steering complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 57, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2009 Chevrolet Impala steering problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 16, 2017 · Driver assistance, Steering · NC

My sterring wheel on my 2009 chevy impala has recently started getting stuck once the engine hs been cut off and parked. Sometimes I don't have any problems turning the key and it cranks right on up while majority of the time I have to rock my steering wheel back and forth while turning the key. My tire and pressure light stays on even after I have brought new tires and a oil change. My actuator makes a clicking noise when I crank up my car and last about a minute or two then stops.

Filed Jul 28, 2017 · Steering · 17,000 miles · NY · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving at a low speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and locked up. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle sustained injuries to the knees that required medical attention. The contact sustained an injury to the neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was moved to the side of the road and taken to an independent mechanic. The front driver's side bumper was repaired and repainted. The failure could not be replicated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

Filed May 2, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · IA

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.

Filed Jan 4, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · 80,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Dec 26, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 28,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Takata recall - I have had my vehicle shut off while I was driving down the road. This has occurred at least 3 times. Gm is aware and has ignored my requests for two years. A few months ago, gm attorney told me to take my vehicle to a gm dealership as soon as possible and the recall repairs would be done at no cost to me. I made him aware that my vehicle had already been sitting at a gm dealership for months waiting for the repair and the dealership refused to repair it and will not provide a rental vehicle. Prior to the recall, I had numerous steering issues and had taken it to gm dealerships just to have them return it with the same problems. When the vehicle shut off, I was in a bad crash and the airbag did not deploy, resulting in me going through the windshield.

Filed Oct 25, 2015 · Airbags, Engine · 28,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 15,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle shutoff and I lost steering and braking causing vehicle to crash and airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was in motion.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 75,000 miles · TX

My wife and I were driving down the interstate at approximately 65 MPH. A light on the dash came on saying engine power reduced. At that point my vehicle slowed down to nearly 20 MPH while I was still on the interstate in moderate traffic. I pulled off to the side of the road and turned my vehicle off to try to investigate the problem. At that point my vehicle would not start for about 10 minutes. After getting my vehicle to start I immediately drove it home. This issue could have caused a very serious accident that would have injured my wife and I, but more importantly our 7 year old daughter riding in the back seat along with any one else involved. I have been on many different forums trying to figure out the cause of the problem, and it seems there are many people with this exact problem on their chevrolet impalas.

Filed Jul 15, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 34,500 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. While driving at 60 MPH, the steering failed and the contact heard a clicking noise. The brakes also failed and the contact crashed the vehicle into a guardrail and a tree. The contact's tongue was severed and he suffered injuries to the brain, neck, and back. The contact was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 34,500.

Filed Jul 1, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 67,000 miles · VA

I was deriving down a steep grade on the gatlinburg bypass toward pigeon forge, tn in second gear for engine breaking. I first noticed the car getting warmer and I checked the dual climate control by feel to make sure my rider had not increased the temperature. Then I noticed the steering was harder on slight curves; then I noticed the tachometer going to zero and sone other gauges decreasing; then I had to slow for a charper curve where I had no power brake assist and no powering steering assist. I managed to bring the vehicle to a safe stop where I tried to restart the engine. The vehicle restarted after a short cranking but acted if it was starving for fuel. Once restarted the vehicle ran satisfactory, if I had been a weak person or had panicked this incident would probably have resulted in a crash. The ignition switch recall had recently been accomplished. The fuel level was 1/2 tank. As an electrical engineer this appeared to be an electrical problem where the engine power was cut off shutting down the fuel pump, instrument cluster, ignition, and electric steering assist.

Filed May 1, 2015 · Steering · 39,256 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel when turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering gear kit and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the power steering hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,256. Updated 8/21/15*cn updated 10/11/2017

Filed Apr 30, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 122,000 miles · NY

While driving on the highway at 55 MPH the car lost power and displayed "reduced engine power." I lost complete power and luckily was able to coast to the shoulder. It was very scary and very dangerous.

Filed Mar 22, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 68,989 miles · SC

I have a 2009 chevrolet impala with 89756+ miles. I have been having issues with the car's traction service control and ABS lights. The lights stays on and when I turn the car makes a grinding sound and sometimes stalls. When the light goes off, the car loses some brake control. I have taken it to 3 different auto mechanics. I replace the gas pedal (twice), the left barring and the problem hasn't gone away. I have been researching this for a year now. My research shows that this is an issue that is happening to a lot of 2009 chevy impalas. There are multiple websites and forums supporting this issue should recall by chevrolet. This is very reckless. I only drive my car to work and back. I am fearful every time I get in my car. I cannot afford to keep paying for repairs that are not solving the problem. Please look into the traction control service & ABS system issues in the 2009 chevrolet impala.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 40,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Feb 13, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · OK

On my display I have seen daily (service traction action) and (engine power reduced) along with (service airbag) for more than a year, did not service due to cost and it is not my fault! My car usually slows down once the engine power reduced displays causing the car to jerk due to me trying to give it more gas so as not to be hit from the back. As my grandchildren and I were headed home on the freeway my car decided to just shut off. On the display it read first.. Service traction action and then starting disabled service throttle. My car immediately lost power and I began to pray hoping I would not get hit from the back with my grandchildren sitting in the back. Once I pulled over my car would not start I sat for about a minute and tried to start again and it started. Just today 01/12/2015, with my grandchildren in the back of my car again my car decided to loose power again but this time it did something very different, it would not allow me to first reverse and then it allowed me to but soon after I could not go forward. The gas peddle acted as though the car was completely turned off but the car was running. When I attempted to press the gas peddle I pressed it all the way down to the floor, nothing happened. I ended up calling a towing service and after telling them what happened I was told my issues stemmed from a electrical system issue that chevy had recalled. This does not make any sense for so many of us to go through the same issues but nothing be done about these issues. Something needs to be done quickly!!

Filed Jan 9, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 71,000 miles · OH

Key went and turned vehicle on . When I stopped to pull key out it would not release.

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Steering · 40,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Airbags, Engine · UT · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering seized and the vehicle exhibited a loss of engine power. The contact crashed into the guard rail and the front driver's air bag failed to deploy. The contact suffered unknown injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system) and believed that it's directly related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 1, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · 42,000 miles · NY · crash

Tl-the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and the steering wheel became seized causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The police report was filed and no injuries sustained. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. Ne

Filed Sep 27, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 58,500 miles · WI

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.

Filed Sep 21, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 47,836 miles · WV

I was driving my car into a series of turns at approximately 45 mile per hour when it seemed I lost engine power rapidly and the car decreased speed to approximately 20 mile per hour I could not accelerate. I could barely steer and braking was really difficult. I managed to get the car off of the road where it set for approximately a minute or two before it would restart. I contacted gm and my dealership and did not get a satisfactory answer either place. This is exactly what my recall letter describes yet I was told that my issues were not due to the recall. I am greatly disappointed to be paying for a vehicle that is not safe for me to drive.

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · 38,000 miles · WA · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 62 MPH, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a ditch and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a seat belt injury that did not require medical attention. In addition, the front seat passenger sustained soreness in the shoulder and a head injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 38,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 42,089 miles · MO · crash

Reference# [xxx]. As I approached the intersection, another vehicle was turning onto the street I was on. I moved over to make room, as I moved over I had to cross over a clump of snow and ice that had re froze making a rough and bumpy transition. I was about 20 feet from the stop sign. I placed my foot on the brake which was hard and unresponsive. The steering was hard and unresponsive as well. I was driving about 3-5 MPH at the time. When I placed my foot on the brake it was unresponsive and it took me into the intersection where I was hit by another vehicle on the drivers side front. My airbag did not deploy. The total damage for my vehicle was $ 5,615.93. We were confused and did not understand why the brakes and the steering did not function and why with this violent of a crash that the airbag did not deploy. After reading the recall notice explaining the ignition recall it made sense that why the failure occurred. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Acceleration, Seat belts · 56,000 miles · CA

During normal conditions warning lights flash "service traction control" along with ABS light. There is a grinding noise in the front left side wheel. Also seat belts light flash. Already replaced accelerator pedal sensor.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Steering · MI

The steering column squeaks when you turn the steering wheel slowly and backing up and turning into position slowly.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 109,022 miles · ME

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.

Filed Jul 12, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 1,800 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

I had just turned onto this road, had not even gone a mile. No speed, no black marks, car shut down ran off the road and hit a tree stump. Total the car. The steering wheel was bent almost in half. I have pictures of the car. I got this car new, so all miles we're put on it by me. I broke my hip, back, knee, dislocated my elbow, crushed my ankle and foot. Had a head injury, a deflated lung. I was in the hospital for two months and a nursing home for a month. I have had 14 surgeries. Still not able to work or do a lot of things for my self. With the recalls showing the issues of the engine shutting off, I need this looked into.

Filed Jul 7, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 87,261 miles · MI

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 the federal safety agency database found recall on only police vehicles and cannot get answer why only those vehicles were recalled and not mine.

Filed Jun 29, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 106,000 miles · MO

One day before I was to take a vacation from missouri to texas, my check engine light came on. My mechanic told me the code had something to do with a fuel canister, but it shouldn't pose a problem. As I was driving 75 MPH on the highway inside the texas state line, after 7 hours of driving, mostly in rain all day, the car started doing a jerking type action & then my traction control light came on, w/a warning msg saying, "service traction control; engine power reduced." going 75 MPH I lost all control! No lights, no A/C (which is a separate, loud, clicking issue I could address), no power steering, no power brakes! I had all I could do to just point my car to the side of the road & coast to a stop, in the middle of nowhere w/out a service station in sight! I tried 3x to restart the vehicle to no avail. As I sat there in bewilderment & fright of what just happened, I contemplated what to do. After about 5 minutes, I decided to try & start it 1 more time. This time, it started up. However, the check engine light & the service airbag light (again, another issue I've had with the vehicle since the day I purchased it) were still lit up but the traction control light & the warning messages had gone off. I continued to my destination & the following day (saturday) I took the vehicle to the local gm dealership where they proceeded to do a diagnostic test &, of course, "could not replicate the problem," therefore they could not "find anything wrong." they gladly depleted my vacation expenses of $100 & sent me on my way with a reassurance that "if it happens again while you're here, come back by & we will test it again but we won't charge you for it." how nice of them. :{ gm seems to enjoy doing that. And the federal safety agency doesn't seem to want to take the initiative to investigate this prevalent problem w/these cars. If something bad happens, I'll sue the pants off of them.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Steering, Tires · 49,000 miles · NE

My car would shimmy as if the tie rod was going bad, and the tire in question would be flat nearly every morning. After a couple of days I made it to hartington, ne to the nearest chevrolet dealer. Upon inspection they told me that I was very lucky to have made it there because the belts separated on the inside of the tire where I would have never seen what was happening. Both front tires were replaced at great expense. I now have hankook tires and will never again buy goodyear tires after this incident.

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