The Lemon Index2009 Chevrolet Impala.
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is better than average by owner complaints: 110 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 73, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 to 23 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Impala year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 824 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Impala year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 46K to 106K miles on the car (662 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 48K–103K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 59K–112K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 64K–120K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2016
The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may caus.
- suspension 2012
This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Show all 5 recalls
- seat belts 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING …
- airbags 2008
GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1064 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Pontiac/saturn/buick/gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/hummer: vehicle start and stalls after theft…
- There are multiple concerns with the onstar system
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Brake rotor warp on 2009 Impala lt with 30k miles. Car violently shakes between 25mph - 35 mph. Happens when slowing down from speeds 65mph and above. At the dealer now but they are trying to say the cause is driver habit related.
2009 Chevrolet Impala owner · NHTSA complaint 10367729
More owner reports
2009 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer states extreme vibration, severe steering difficulties and brake unresponsiveness
NHTSA complaint 10350909
Had to replace brake rotors in feb. Brakes are locked up now oct 29 same problem again.
NHTSA complaint 10433529
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 73; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Impala year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Impala problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (28%), electrical (11%) and speed control (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Impala problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 46,000 and 106,000 miles. The middle report was at 75,500 miles, from 662 complaints.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Impala year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2010 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works