Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating and jumping. The contact drove to his brother's residence to inspect the vehicle. The contact removed the front passenger's side tire and wheel and upon removing the hub, the engine moved. The contact was self-diagnosed that the front lower control arm was fractured. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000.
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? …
We had over $10,000 in insurance repairs on 2008 Impala with blue book around $12,800. Oklahoma insurance dept rules said car should have been total loss. We had to go to a 2nd shop to continue repairs as the body shop manager was fired. Carfax is now showing vehicle with frame damage etc.. And insurance company refuses to assist. We would like to forward more documentation for assistance as ftc is telling us you can assist hold fowler Chevrolet of tulsa oklahoma accountable. This is a serious safety issue also if they are repairing cars that should be a total loss besides compensating us for the financial issues related.
I am informing you of some very serious concerns in regards to parts of the 07 and 08 Chevy Impala that have failed causing accidents as well as injury and grave potential for fatalities.airbags not deploying, seat belts not locking on impact first and foremost I have requested copies of the paperwork that was submitted to the courts in somerset wi. This showed exactly what took place causeing an accident that was considered negligent due to medications I was on and my disability. The mechanic gave me this report along with info stating that this was a huge problem in fleet police vehicals. The info stated that the police vehicals were fixed and checked however this part has no recall or revision to correct the safety issues that we can find. My vehical does have high millage however it has been very well taken care of thanks to erickson oil and mechanic friends. …
One day I was driving my car home making a right turn and my engine started making noise and was acting as if it was going to cut off. So I parked my car called my mechanic he came over and looked at the car I said it could be a possible rocker arm that has gone in the car or I could have something to do with the check engine light coming on giving me a code for a cam positioning sensor / solenoid. Also when I purchase the car not too long after me driving I noticed there was some noise coming from my back tires. I couldn't figure it out for a while until one day I looked at my tires and noticed that on the inside there was a considerable amount of scraping going on wearing away my tread. It would always seem to happen when I got new tires on the car so I thought maybe the tires were too big for the car but I ordered what the manufactor suggested the tire size should be for the car. …
When first purchased I had to change accelerator pedal. When I took it to the shop I was told they get a lot of people w impalas same as my year 2008 that needed to have the accelerator pedal changed every so often because they would go out and it would cause the check engine light to go on and off because the vehicle was sending the wrong signals.I would drive on the highway and street it would cause reduced engine to come on and slow my car down almost leading into accidents because I did not know it was about to happen. It would come and go on as it wanted. The electrical part of the car is something in the car continues to drain my battery. I've gotten a new battery and it still drains causing me to have to get it recharged. The suspension I was also told for the year of my car is bad. …
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. …
Case # [redacted] our rear tires are wearing out twice as fast as the front tires. I went to costco yesterday to have my tires rotated, after looking at the rear tires we had to buy new ones because the back tires were worn down to the metal backing. . There had been a service bulletin sent out in 2011 to replace the spindle rods on all the 2007 and 2008 Impala's that were sold as police cars to fix this problem that they were having with rear tire wear. I would like to see that service bulletin extended all the other 2007 and 2008 Chevrolet Impala's. This is a major safety problem and people are going to be killed if this problem is not fixed you just don't expect the tires to wear out so fast. We had just finished a trip were we drove freeway speeds up to 75 miles an hour. After seeing our tires I don't know how we keep from having a blow out on the back tires.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. While driving various speeds and making a turn in any direction, a loud knocking noise was heard coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the emission warning indicator illuminated, but could have been caused by the fuel cap. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failure in the lower driver side control arm, which needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact found NHTSA campaign number: 12V377000 (suspension), which only included Chevrolet Impala police vehicles. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Severe inner surface tire wear on rear wheels of 2007-2008 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. Technical service bulletin 08032 is on file with general motors, acknowledging the problem, but willing only to pay for necessary repairs to police vehicles, when in fact the flaw exists with all 2007-2008 Impala vehicles. We purchased the car as a demo model in 2009 and were not made aware of the problem. We believe the dealer was honest, and also not aware of the problem at the time. We believe this to be a safety issue as well, since handling on wet roads is effected due to the fact the rear tires are contacting the road surface only on 1-2" of the inside surface of the tires.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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.
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.
Suspension complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 117 complaints about the suspension of the 2008 Chevrolet Impala, 14% of the model year's 810 complaints. The component named most often is rear (35 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Impala suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-377 (lower arm, Aug 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Impala suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.