This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Chevrolet Impala suspension problems
critical 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
1fatality
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Chevrolet Impala in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report severe, premature front tire wear on the 2009 Impala—edges bald while centers retain tread—occurring as early as 10,000–16,000 miles per set. Many have replaced tires multiple times despite routine rotations and alignments. This uneven wear pattern appears linked to suspension geometry problems. Owners describe a shimmy or vibration, particularly when braking or turning, that persists even after brake work and wheel alignment. Several report noises from the front end—chirping during turns, ticking at startup, and abnormal clunks—that a dealer and independent mechanics trace to loose or failing lower control arm bushings and worn struts. One fleet operator grounded police cruisers after discovering a lower control arm broken away from its bushing; another found the arm cracked. A few owners mention traction control warning lights, steering feel issues, and difficulty stopping. One narrative involves a fatal accident attributed in part to suspension problems and unrepaired recalls. Most owners who contacted dealers were told alignment or brake work was needed (customer pay) rather than offered warranty coverage for what they believe is a design defect. GM reportedly fixed the same issue on police package vehicles but has not extended the remedy to civilian cars.
Same Chevrolet Impala suspension reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Premature Front Tire Wear (Inner and Outer Edges)
Front tires wear excessively on inner and outer edges while center tread remains intact, forcing owners to replace tires every 10,000–19,000 miles despite regular rotation and alignment adjustments.
When: As early as 10,000 miles; recurring within 12,000–19,000 mile intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Bald inner and outer tire edges with tread still in middle; Tires fail inspection after 15,000 miles despite good condition at 10,000 miles; Uneven tire cupping and wear pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Owners paid for tire rotations, full tire replacements (multiple sets), and wheel alignments. One estimate was $750 for two front tires and lifetime alignment. Dealer performed wheel alignment and tire replacement, many as customer-pay items.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged factory defect but refused warranty coverage. GM reportedly applied a fix to police package vehicles but did not extend it to civilian buyers. No recall issued for this issue.
Front-End Shimmy and Vibration During Braking
Violent or noticeable shimmy and shaking in the steering wheel and vehicle body, especially when braking or coming to a stop, persists even after brake rotor resurfacing and replacement.
When: Observed during normal driving and braking; one case at 94,000 miles after wheel bearing replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Violent or noticeable shaking in steering wheel when braking; Shimmy and shake when coming to a stop; Shaking persists despite brake and rotor work
Repairs/costs cited: Owners paid for brake rotor resurfacing, rotor replacement, and brake pad replacement. These repairs did not resolve the shimmy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer resurfaced rotors but defect recurred. One dealer suggested sticking brakes were normal for the model, which owner's independent mechanic disputed.
Lower Control Arm Bushing Wear and Failure
Lower control arm bushings wear prematurely or separate from the arm, causing alignment issues, clunking noises, and loss of suspension control. One police fleet found control arms cracked and broken away from bushings.
When: Reported between 16,000 and 94,000 miles; one fleet found failure during routine inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Chirping or squeaking tires during turns; Abnormal noise from front end; Loose control arms detected by mechanic; Control arm broken away from bushing (police vehicle); Control arm cracked but not yet fully separated (police vehicle); Steering issues and unstable handling
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanics recommended control arm bushing replacement. One owner at 38,300 miles had not yet replaced suspension parts. Police fleet grounded vehicles for individual inspection and repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially told owner loose control arms were not covered under warranty. Police package recall was issued by GM for this condition, but civilian vehicles were not included in the recall.
Strut/Shock Wear and Corrosion
Front strut covers corrode, and struts wear prematurely, signaling future failure. Owner warned that strut could eventually break through the corroded cover.
When: Observed during inspection; no specific mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Corroded front strut cover on driver side; Warning that strut will eventually protrude through corroded area
Wheel Bearing Failure
Front driver-side wheel bearing failed, causing engine stall during low-speed turning. Replacement did not permanently resolve the problem.
When: Approximately 94,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalled without warning at 10 mph while turning; Failure recurred after dealer replaced wheel bearing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced front driver-side wheel bearing; failure recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified; case number 84612117853 provided.
Traction Control Light and Power Loss
Traction control warning light illuminates repeatedly, vehicle loses power during acceleration, and vehicle has difficulty stopping when brakes are deployed.
When: Not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light constantly on; Loss of power when accelerating; Difficulty stopping despite brake application; Engine overheating warning
Tire Blowout Due to Uneven Wear
Excessive tire wear and structural degradation led to a tire blowout at highway speed.
When: At 33,000 miles during 35 mph driving
Symptoms owners cite: Tire blowout at 35 mph; Excessive wear on both tires
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired or taken to dealer; owner did not pursue further action.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension trouble with your 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a serious issue. 21 complaints have been filed, including 1 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 23,000 and 75,906 miles, with the median around 39,312. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,000; a quarter make it past 75,906. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Impala.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.