Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Q-What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A-Suspension and steering effective. Any time I drive and make turns it makes like a clunking noise. You can actually feel it in the floor board. It's worse when you are driving down a not so smooth road. You can look at it as soon as possible. Q-How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A-Control arm might SNAP causing you to lose control of my vehicle and crash into other drivers. Q-Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A-Firestone has inspected my car. Q-Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? A-No my vehicle has not. Q-Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? …
In motion on a city street turning left , pedal stuck brakes not working and hit by on coming car , flipped in air about a block , rolling over again and again , no air bags depleated, broken ribs, concussion, skin lacerations , bruises,glass logged in parts of body , face and feet
On this day I was driving normal speed, climate and roadway was dry and free of debris. The traction control light came on and the car began to shift hard when accelerating after a stop. Today, January 5, 2015 while operating under normal speed and dry climate the check engine light came on along with traction control, which has remained on since the initial incident. The car began jerking and the engine shut off while traveling at a rate of 40mph. I was almost hit by the vehicle behind me, however thankfully managed to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. My children were in the car with me. I shut the car off in hopes that the lights would reset, but they did not. I have contacted GM and in my opinion they couldn't care less about this issue. I have researched several online forums and see that this appears to be an issue with many Impala owners. …
While I was driving, the car gave a notice of reduced engine power, then a few miles later, another notice came on service throttle disabling service. And the car shut off! With no warning, and no way to get to safety. If I wasn't in an area that had a shoulder I could get to quickly or if there was any traffic near me, I would be dead! This is incredibly unsafe and is going to get someone killed, if it hasnt already! That has to be some sort of flaw in the programing. If I would have been on the highway, which is where I normally am at that time of day, I would have had no time to react and get to a safe area before the car shut down on me. It also locked up the steering wheel and braking system so I had next to no power. It was incredibly scary. I am just glad that I was driving the car, instead of my elderly mother. She very well May have had a heart attack from the fear. …
2008 Chevy Impala ltz -- I am having trouble with the rear inner tires wearing down to the chords just like all the other complaints on here. I know it's not the tire brand, etc. As I've had a reputable mechanic put on two sets of tires. I found articles on a lawsuit and the fact that GM will fix the police cars with this issue, but not the general public's. I bought this car as a commuter car for my sons that will be college students and I need it to last. I want a copy of the TSB #08032a that addresses this issue. I just want my car fixed so that I don't keep blowing through sets of tires it is getting ridiculously expensive. My last set was supposed to wear out at 60,000 and only lasted 20,000. …
I was driving on a small side street on the way to pick my son up from school. The street is pretty deeply pot holed, and it had been raining so it was also very muddy. For this reason I was luckily going slow. As I made my way through one particular large puddle on a right hand curve I could see that I was going to almost immediately get into the left lane to go around some parked cars. As soon as I went to veer left the car wouldn't budge. It felt as if the power steering had shut off. No light came on no new sounds were made, nothing to indicate that anything was wrong. Luckily with a few quick pulls left and right on the steering wheel everything seemed to back I'm working order. Very very scary.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and driving over a pothole, the vehicle loss motive power, stalled, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
I have had the ignition switch repaired under the recall thinking this might help the problem. I will be driving down the road when the steering will lock up and the car slows and cuts off. I have had several near miss accidents with other cars and am literally afraid to drive the car anymore. I have taken the car to several other dealers and they claim they are unable to determine what is wrong or how to fix it. It is only a mater of time before I have an accident and injure myself or others .
Tl contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while making a left hand turn, the steering wheel seized causing another vehicle to crash into the passenger front side. The air bags failed to deploy. The passenger from the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries which required medical attention. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
When driving over water or a very wet road my power steering quits, I often get "alternator failure" warning until such time as I pass over the pooled water spot in the road. I had the engine belt changed and it still does this when driving over a pooled or low spot in a roadway or parking lot. This happens when driving at low or higher speeds on a highway, street or parking lot and/or gravel area with pooled water but not in a "flood" situation. This has been ongoing for over three months.
Steering complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 94 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, 12% of the model year's 810 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Impala steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Impala steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.