2009 Chevrolet Impala — Known Issues & Recalls

Your car won't start and you notice smoke coming from the engine. The check engine light is on. A mechanic found that the wiring harness has failed and the wires are exposed, which matches a known Chevrolet electrical recall. This exposed wiring needs to be replaced or properly insulated to restore normal starting function.

While driving, your traction control warning light came on with an alert sound, followed by a message that engine power was reduced. Within 2 miles, your engine shut off completely, leaving you unable to steer or brake safely. You received a warning saying "STARTING DISABLED, SERVICE ENGINE THROTTLE." Replacing the gas pedal resolved the issue immediately. The problem was likely caused by a faulty accelerator pedal that triggered the engine shutdown safety feature.

You noticed a burning wire smell when using your rear defroster, and the defroster stopped working. You found that the wiring connector under the front passenger door was charred and burned, specifically at the pin responsible for the rear defroster. This appears to be a known issue with this model that poses a potential fire risk, as the wires overheated enough to melt and char the plastic insulation around the electrical connection.

Your throttle body and throttle pedal may not be working properly. This could affect how your engine responds when you press the gas pedal. A mechanic will likely need to inspect and possibly replace the throttle body or pedal assembly.

Your dashboard lights and radio light flicker on and off while driving, though your odometer lights work fine. You've also had recurring issues with knocking noises under the dash (caused by actuators) and a check engine light related to EVAP and oxygen sensor readings, which may need time to reset after a battery replacement. Fixing these issues will likely involve replacing the faulty actuators, cleaning or replacing the oxygen sensor, and checking the EVAP system components.

Your air bag warning light came on while you were driving. When you took your car to the dealer, they didn't diagnose or fix the problem. Your airbags may not deploy properly in a crash if this issue isn't resolved. You'll likely need diagnostic testing and possibly airbag system repairs or component replacement.

Your SRS (airbag system) warning light comes on and stays on, and you're concerned the airbags may not deploy properly in a crash. This is a safety system malfunction that needs diagnostic attention to identify what's triggering the warning. A technician will need to scan the airbag system for fault codes and repair or replace the faulty component.

Your air bag warning light is on. You've identified a known NHTSA recall campaign (16V507000) affecting air bags and the electrical system, which tends to occur around 80,000 miles—your car is approaching that mileage. You're concerned that your VIN doesn't appear to be included in the recall even though it's a 2009 Chevy Impala. Getting your vehicle checked by a Chevy dealer is important, as they can verify recall eligibility and diagnose the air bag system issue.

Water collected under your car and caused the support frame to rust through completely. When you used the manufacturer's scissor jack to change a tire, the rusted frame collapsed, damaging the frame and making your driver's side door unable to open. This could trap you in the vehicle during an emergency.

Your car's frame has developed rust in multiple areas, with some spots rusted almost completely through the metal. A Chevrolet dealer confirmed this rust damage. Even though you've kept the car garaged and regularly washed it with undercarriage cleaning, the frame deterioration has still occurred. Addressing this would typically require professional rust repair or frame replacement, depending on the severity of the damage.

Your transmission may not be shifting properly or responding as expected. This could affect how your car accelerates or changes gears while driving. A transmission inspection and fluid check would be the first step to diagnose the issue.

Your car makes a rumbling noise when you start the engine. This could indicate an issue with the engine's internal components or ignition system that should be inspected by a mechanic.

While stopped at a red light, a piece broke off inside your transmission and fell into the pan. When you tried to put the car in gear, it wouldn't move, so you had to manually shift to get off the road and had it towed home. The broken piece likely came from the flywheel or forward band inside the transmission. This will likely require transmission repair or replacement to address the broken internal component.

Your driver's seat power motor caught fire and began smoking heavily while you were driving, with no warning. This is a serious electrical fire hazard that could spread to other parts of your vehicle. The repair will require replacement of the power seat motor assembly and inspection of the electrical wiring.

Your airbag warning light turns on and off unpredictably. This is a safety concern because the airbags may not deploy properly in a crash if the system isn't functioning correctly. A technician will need to scan your vehicle's airbag computer to identify the fault and determine what repair is needed.

While driving at 60 mph, you heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath your vehicle, and your traction control, ABS, and check engine warning lights all came on at the same time. Your mechanic couldn't safely lift the vehicle to diagnose the problem because of excessive rust underneath. The issue was never diagnosed or repaired, so the underlying cause remains unknown.

Your front defroster isn't working, and your windshield wipers are operating inconsistently. Both issues affect your ability to see clearly while driving, especially in cold or wet weather. The problem may involve the defroster control system, wiper motor, or related electrical connections that need inspection and repair.

Your check engine light came on after putting the car in reverse, and you felt the vehicle pulling to one side while the traction control warning also appeared. The dealer diagnosed a faulty accelerator pedal that needed replacement. This problem happened multiple times after you had your tires changed, and it happened again later even after the repair was completed.

Your car is displaying warning messages like "Reduce Engine Power" and "Service Traction Control" along with the check engine light, especially when driving on bumpy roads or turning the steering wheel. The throttle position sensor was identified as faulty and replaced twice, but the problem keeps coming back, and your car has unexpectedly slowed down while driving. The fix will likely involve diagnosing and replacing the throttle position sensor again, or investigating related electrical connections and engine control systems.

Your car may have issues with the suspension, electrical system, or airbag components. Without specific details about what symptoms you're experiencing, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact problem. You should have a mechanic inspect these systems to identify what needs repair.