WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING (WITH MY THREE KIDS AS PASSENGERS) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED IN THE DASHBOARD "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LAST POWER AND THE SPEED WAS REDUCED TO LESS THAN 30 MPH, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE SHOULDER AND CALL ME FOR ASSISTANCE. BY THE TIME I GOT THERE AN…
2009 Chevrolet Impala powertrain problems
severe 64 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
64
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
CAR HESITATES ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. RPMS GO UP BUT CAR GOES VERY SLOW, LIKE IF IT HAS LOST A LOT OF POWER. ONCE IT STOPS HESITATING IT BANGS INTO GEAR AND SPEEDS FORWARD. IT CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE A CRASH IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE ITS HESITATING.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 64 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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