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2008 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Chevrolet Impala has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission hesitation and jerk on acceleration.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Chevrolet Impala.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission hesitation and jerk on acceleration

POWER TRAIN

14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2024-02

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED FORWARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GREGG YOUNG CHEVROLET (17750 BURT ST, OMAHA, NE 68118, (402) 509-3028) TWICE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LURCHED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11191799
“TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS VEHICLE JERKS HARD AFTER COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS SAFETY ISSUES CAN BE A DANGER IF VEHICLE IS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10817302
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS HESITATED TO CHANGE AND THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10764218

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Reduced engine power warning and stall

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE

30 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2024-12

“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @ 60 MPH WHEN ENGINE DIES WITH NO WARNING. DASH SHOWS FOLLOWING MESSAGES: "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" "SERIVCE TRACTION CONTROL" "SERVICE STABILITRAX" POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES STOP WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11207418
“WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. STATEN ISLAND BUICK GMC (1855 HYLAN BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305) DIAGNOSED THAT SENSORS T2135: (THROTTLE BODY) AND P2138: (ACCELERATOR PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104582
“AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES AT 25 MPH BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10881810

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags failing to deploy in crashes

AIR BAGS

23 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2024-12

“WHILE DRIVNG 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10824531
“WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE AND BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10779777
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11101444

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door lock failures and melting wiring harness

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

20 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2019-09

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10762245
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED AND PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM LOCKING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR ACTUATORS WERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10761072
“REAR DOOR LOCKS, DEFROST, TRUNK LID STOPPED WORKING. NOTICED SMOKE ON MY PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS SHOWN THAT IT MELTED THE WIRES TOGETHER AND MELTED THE REAR BODY HARNESS CONNECTOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11256486

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Lower control arm failure and power steering lock-up

STEERING, SUSPENSION

13 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2023-01

“THE FRONT WHEELS OF MY VEHICLE STARTED DRIFTING LEFT AND RIGHT. STARTED HEARING A CLANGING NOISE WHEN L WOULD TURN. LOWER CONTROL ARMS BROKE, MY POWER STEERING IS GOING BECAUSE OF IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11004787
“WHENEVER THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERS WET CONDITIONS SUCH AS RAIN OR GOING THRU A PUDDLE, THE POWER STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED OR WHEEL POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11130032
“I HAVE REPLACED BUSHINGS 3 TIMES, STRUTS FRONT AND BACK, SHOCKS AND SWAY BAR PINS 2 TIMES. I DRIVE CITY ROADS TO WORK ONLY 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. I ONLY HAVE 77,586 MILES ON MY CAR AND A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR THAT TYPE OF USE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11266926

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption and coolant gasket leaks

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2020-10

“THIS COOLANT CROSSOVER PIPE GASKET LEAK HAS BEEN A REPEATED AND MULTIPLE VEHICLE PROBLEM WITH THE 3.9L AND 3.5L AND GM ONLY CAME UP WITH 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS; THE LAST ONE WAS #07-06-02-006E: COOLANT LEAKING FROM ENGINE (REPLACE COOLANT CROSSOVER PIPE GASKETS) - (MAR 5”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11337503
“THE CAR NEEDS AND BURNS TOO MUCH OIL AND IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT PLEASE HELP I HAVE TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 2 MONTHS AND THERE'S NO LEAKS OR ANYTHING JUST THAT IT BURNS OIL TOO QUICK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11367022
“ENGINE OIL LEAKS, VALVE COVER GASKETS, HEAD GASKETS, OIL PAN GASKET. CAN SMELL BURNING OIL WHEN DRIVING & PARKED. AFTER DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10808604

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

586 crashes 1990–2024

How the 586 occupant deaths break down

419

driver deaths

167

passenger deaths

586

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

51

complaints mentioning a crash

10

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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