Is the 2008 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
809 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 155, 7.4× a quiet Impala year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–120k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Impala owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 97,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 220 (27%) | 60k–117k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 153 (19%) | 65k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 94 (12%) | 43k–107k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 92 (11%) | 62k–135k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 91 (11%) | 61k–110k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 58 (7%) | 71k–123k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 50 (6%) | 58k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Traction control | 20 (2%) | 50k–101k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 19 (2%) | 60k–123k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 10 (1%) | 40k–101k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 117 (14%) | 23k–74k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 48 (6%) | 45k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 40 (5%) | 17k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 37 (5%) | 20k–48k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 97,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 809 complaints: 51 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 36 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Dec 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Hello, only had my car 2 years and nothing but problems..my biggest concern is this light that's keeps coming on and says "Engine power reduced" And kicks my cars down between 20 and 40 miles per hour..huge safety issue to me.
While wife was driving at normal speed car went into limp mode many times over last few months causing accelerator pedal sensor codes.we have since changed this pedal sensor 6 times and same issue and codes pop up.
I purchased a chevy 08 impala in late january 2013 with less that 55k mile on it, now it's been about a year it's around 64k mile.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 97,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala: 2
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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.
This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 314
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Chevrolet Impala. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Passenger Air Bag OCS Algorithm
Neighbouring years
2007 Impala: 626 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2009 Impala: 824 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Impala year
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Questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
809 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 155, 7.4× a quiet Impala year. At 97,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–120k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (220), engine (153), steering (94), speed control (92), transmission and drivetrain (91). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 64k–120k miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Impala have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-355), Suspension (NHTSA 12V-377). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.