2008 Chevrolet Impala Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Chevrolet Impala has a complaint index of 93, ranking it 2nd worst of 16 model years, with 810 complaints and 2 recalls. Electrical system issues lead at 28% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 26%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 93/100
- #2 of 16 Impala years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 810
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 51
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 44
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 44 / 1
Top 2008 Chevy Impala problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System226 (28%)
- Engine210 (26%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires153 (19%)
- Brakes113 (14%)
- Steering94 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain91 (11%)
- Structure & Body74 (9%)
- Other53 (7%)
- Airbags50 (6%)
- Fuel System19 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during crashes at highway speeds, sometimes with no deployment at all despite rollovers.
- Cruise control and brake pedal issues are described where the vehicle would not slow down properly, leading to collisions.
- Electrical wiring near the dashboard and driver door has caused smoke and flames, in some cases while the vehicle was parked.
- Rear tires show severe inner-surface wear that owners link to a suspension alignment defect covered by a service bulletin.
- Engine stalling has been reported after impacts, with the steering wheel locking and the car losing power on the road.
- A key fob failure sometimes leaves the door unlockable electronically, requiring a manual override before smoke or fire was noticed.
2008 Chevrolet Impala recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V355000Jun 23, 2014Electrical System3,141,731 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
- NHTSA 12V377000Aug 3, 2012Suspension, Wheels & Tires36,413 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
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.
2008 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2008 Impala has a complaint index of 93, the 2nd highest among 16 model years, so it ranks poorly compared to most other Impala years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Impala?
- Electrical system complaints make up 28% of all reports, followed by engine problems at 26% and suspension, wheels, and tire issues at 19%.
- Does the 2008 Impala have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Impala: one for airbag-related key ring/ignition issues and one for front lower control arm fractures on police vehicles.
- How does the 2008 Impala compare to the 2009 Impala?
- The 2009 Impala has a complaint index of 100 versus 93 for 2008, but both years carry an Avoid verdict.
- At what mileage do 2008 Impala electrical problems show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 85,310 for electrical system failures, and 70,000 miles overall across all reported problems.