The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Impala · 2008

2008 Chevrolet Impala. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index70100 = average car
Complaints184NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold265,840U.S. model year
Per 100K sold69complaints
Year rank#12 of 20#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.5L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD18 / 29 / 22Regular$2,850
3.9L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD18 / 28 / 21Regular$2,950
5.3L 8-cylAuto 4-spdFWD16 / 24 / 19Premium$4,050

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,000 and 105,000 miles. Median 70,000, from 663 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical85,00060,000–115,900168
Engine98,00070,000–121,000119
Suspension42,70022,700–74,20097
Steering63,00042,500–111,60077
Speed control98,00060,000–135,00081

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Suspension34%
Steering12%
Tires12%
Brakes11%
Electrical7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
810511036115

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 14V355000 Jun 2014 Electrical System / Ignition

    Defect. 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 caus

    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.

  • 12V377000 Aug 2012 Suspension / Front / Control Arm / Lower Arm

    Defect. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedPassenger air bag ocs algorithm20142017

Manufacturer communications 1003

Chevy filed 1003 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Ei07082 - power steering fluid leaking from power steering gear/rack assembly
  • Ei07162 - steering clunk noise felt, heard from steering column
  • Service update for inventory vehicles only--intermediate steering shaft clunk - expires april…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
OptionalNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
200581146246,481Electrical
200662124289,868Steering
200766183311,128Tires
200870184265,840Suspension
200973110165,565Brakes
20104078172,078Engine
2011123253171,434Seats

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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