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 2009 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon open or closing the front driver's side door, he heard an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a howling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty door actuator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Takata recall - I have had my vehicle shut off while I was driving down the road. This has occurred at least 3 times. GM is aware and has ignored my requests for two years. A few months ago, GM attorney told me to take my vehicle to a GM dealership as soon as possible and the recall repairs would be done at no cost to me. I made him aware that my vehicle had already been sitting at a GM dealership for months waiting for the repair and the dealership refused to repair it and will not provide a rental vehicle. Prior to the recall, I had numerous steering issues and had taken it to GM dealerships just to have them return it with the same problems. When the vehicle shut off, I was in a bad crash and the airbag did not deploy, resulting in me going through the windshield.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at a low speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and locked up. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle sustained injuries to the knees that required medical attention. The contact sustained an injury to the neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was moved to the side of the road and taken to an independent mechanic. The front driver's side bumper was repaired and repainted. The failure could not be replicated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at 60 MPH, the steering failed and the contact heard a clicking noise. The brakes also failed and the contact crashed the vehicle into a guardrail and a tree. The contact's tongue was severed and he suffered injuries to the brain, neck, and back. The contact was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 34,500.
I woke up in the hospital with a brain injury, tongue nearly cut in half, thoratic sprain, neck sprain, etc. From what I have been told, I was going at least 60-65 MPH when I had my front end crash and my head went through the windshield. I had numerous issues already submitted to Chevy, such as the steering issues I had. The air bags did not deploy. I later was driving down the road and when I was turning my vehicle shut off.
My vehicle's ignition switch shut off, which caused me to lose steering. When I crashed, the airbag failed to deploy. I was driving in a large parking lot and went over a speed bump. I was knocked out but the police report indicated there were no signs of braking or steering. I took my Impala to the GM dealership over 12 times.
I bought my 2009 Chevrolet Impala used in April 2015, and since then I have had the warning service traction control, followed by engine power reduced pop up about a dozen times, with varying lengths between incidents, but not until yesterday did the car respond in any way. Yesterday I was accelerating up an interstate entrance ramp when the service traction control message popped up, then engine power reduced, and I paid little attention until quickly after the second message I realized I had no power, I had the accelerator to the floor and the car wasn't responding, the engine had shut down. So I turned on my hazard flashers and tried to pull over to the berm, but had to fight the dead steering wheel to do so, the power steering had stopped working when the engine shut down. …
I crashed heading down a hill .I crashed into a telephone pole after my car suddenly revved up,gained speed as I headed towards a telephone pole ,with loss of power steering ,brakes because my car quit after gaining speed due to the rpms amping up on their own and going down a hill. When I hit the pole,the telephone lines snapped and I was trapped in the car because they landed on my driver window and were shooting out sparks as if they were roman candles and a fire started on the right side of my car in some pine straw. When the firemen was able to get me out of the car he came to the passenger side and by then I had taken my seat belt off and the fireman advised me to get out of the passenger side if I was able and I told him that I was scared to let off the brake because I thought for some reason being out of my head that the car was going to roll if I let off the brake and he took …
I was deriving down a steep grade on the gatlinburg bypass toward pigeon forge, tn in second gear for engine breaking. I first noticed the car getting warmer and I checked the dual climate control by feel to make sure my rider had not increased the temperature. Then I noticed the steering was harder on slight curves; then I noticed the tachometer going to zero and sone other gauges decreasing; then I had to slow for a charper curve where I had no power brake assist and no powering steering assist. I managed to bring the vehicle to a safe stop where I tried to restart the engine. The vehicle restarted after a short cranking but acted if it was starving for fuel. Once restarted the vehicle ran satisfactory, if I had been a weak person or had panicked this incident would probably have resulted in a crash. The ignition switch recall had recently been accomplished. …
Reference# [redacted]. As I approached the intersection, another vehicle was turning onto the street I was on. I moved over to make room, as I moved over I had to cross over a clump of snow and ice that had re froze making a rough and bumpy transition. I was about 20 feet from the stop sign. I placed my foot on the brake which was hard and unresponsive. The steering was hard and unresponsive as well. I was driving about 3-5 MPH at the time. When I placed my foot on the brake it was unresponsive and it took me into the intersection where I was hit by another vehicle on the drivers side front. My airbag did not deploy. The total damage for my vehicle was $ 5,615.93. We were confused and did not understand why the brakes and the steering did not function and why with this violent of a crash that the airbag did not deploy. …
Steering complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, 7% of the model year's 824 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › knuckle › spindle › arm (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Impala steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 5 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 2009 Chevrolet Impala steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 1 fire and 15 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.