Chevrolet Impala problems
810 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
- 5 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system
- Suspension: 105 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 23,000–75,000 mi
- Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet impala. While driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle jerked severely. In addition, the brakes were unresponsive. The contact pulled over to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The contact…
I was driving and all of a sudden my engine light came on and a message popped on my dash board that said enging power reduced. This is about the 10th time or more that this has happened to me. After google searching the problem, there are hundreds of people having this same…
Vehicles rear end felt very loose as if didn't have control of the car. Took to dealership where purchased. Rear tires had excessive wear on inner edge. Inspected suspension and found alignment out of gm specs. Performed wheel alignment and new tires put on. The vehicle now…
My impala will completely shut down and lock up everytime it rains. I can be driving 5 MPH through a parking lot and water film on the pavement and my impala will shake, lock up and shut down. I was leaving my church parking lot to turn right onto road, my impala shut down and…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 810 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Chevrolet Impala has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Chevrolet Impala is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 5 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Suspension: 105 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 23,000–75,000 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 189 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,587 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,290 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Impala has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 810 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.