2009 Chevrolet Impala Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  3

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  59%
• 25k–50k
  814%
• 50k–75k
  611%
• 75k–100k
  1425%
• 100k–150k
  2035%
• 150k+
  47%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

A piece broke off and had fallen off of transmission when stopped at a redlight when put in gear car didn't want to move had to manually shift to get off the road and towed it home. The piece that broke fell into pan when changing transmission fluid. Believe it's off flywheel possibly forward band.

For the last two days, I have driven my vehicle. Every time I would drive over 40 MPH, the engine would lock up. The vehicle would jerk and shake back and forth. The car would do this every time I went over 40 MPH, no matter if I was driving on a highway or road or coming to a stop at a red traffic light. Whenever this happened, the check engine light and the traction control light would stay on. This problem started weeks after I had an auto accident.

For the last two days, I have driven my vehicle. Every time I would drive over 40 MPH, the engine would lock up. The vehicle would jerk back and forth. The car would do this every time I would try and drive over 40 MPH, no matter the roadway or stop at an intersection. Whenever this happened, the check engine light would stay on. A month before this problem started, my father had been driving the car and had an auto accident.

While driving, the car in motion it completely loses power. Have experienced this while on highway, interstate, and in town roads. So problem occurs at any speed, and results in vehicle coasting to a stop as the steering and brakes stop working too. Has happened to me hundreds of times as we can not pin point problem, and has replaced numerous different parts trying to solve it. When power loss occurs there is very little to no time at all for driver to coast & steer vehicle & occupants to safety area on side of road. The dashboard information center will state "starting disabled, service throttle" also engine power reduced" and "service stablitrak." a new throttle has been put in vehicle and still does same thing. Over the year ive been dealing with this issue ive noticed it does it more in warm weather. …

I bought this car used in 2012. This car had periodic electrical issues and a co2 sensor failure, but there were no issues comparable to a total transmission failure. Earlier in the winter of 2015, I noticed that the transmission would not shift up into fourth gear on the freeway until after ten minutes of driving. One day in ann arbor, mi, I was accelerating out of a turn when the RPM meter started revving to 6,000 and the engine lost power. After restarting the Impala, the car went a few hundred feet to red light and died at the intersection. I eventually was able to drop this vehicle off at an automotive repair shop following a long trip full of transmission failures and start-ups. The mechanic later stated that the transmission would need to be rebuilt. The repair cost was over $1,600 and the transmission still possesses the same problems that existed prior to this event.

Driving to work and the service traction control light went on then engine power reduced and throttle error and the car would not accelerate and powered down. I was at red light so I turned the car off and turned it back on the car would not accelerate so I turned it off again and waiting put my flashers on, waited a few more minutes and the car finally started to move. I took to the dealership because it's a powertrain issue and I have 100K powertrain warranty and the dealership said it's not powertrain and wanted $778 to repair, I called Chevy after seeing the forums only this is a known issue thousands of people with the same complaint and Chevy said they are going to work with the dealership. I have to be back at work Monday and drive through a very rough neighborhood I do not want to breakdown in that neighborhood.

While driving onto a highway when I reach 56 miles per hour my vehicle lost power and slow down the brakes locked and the electrical system went haywire. The locks started locking and unlocking while the vehicle was in motion. The lights started flickering on and off and the car started shaking rapidly and the brakes locked up. Once I started the vehicle back up and the ignition switch seemed to be stuck and the air bag light displayed on the dashboard. When I turn off the vehicle and try to remove the key the key will not come out so I have to put it into neutral and back into park a few times before it will release the key. Since this has occurred I hear a knocking sound in my glove box when the door is open and closed and sometime hours after ill hear the noise and the electric will flicker.

I placed my car in park, while the car was still running. When I got back in, and tried to put it into gear, the console shifter seemed like it was locked in place, and wouldn't let me put the car in gear. There is apparently a switch under the console cover that allows me to temporarily fix this issue, but I have to do so every time I want to put my car into gear from park. Only happens when my car is in park. I don't know if this is a recall issue or not. But any reply on this issue, as well as what I need to do to get it fixed would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Car continuously gets a reduced power message and goes down to 25 MPH. In mid January did the same thing, but stalled on i90 ohio turnpike. Almost hit by a semi truck. Have had the car in the shop no less than 5 times for the same problem. At GM and non GM repair shops. We have had this same reduced power on city roads, and the highway, it seems always when it is wet, rainy or slushy. It really appears to be a water causes the problem. We have paid for two sets of throttle body, speed control sensor and harnesses. The problem continues to persist and appears to be dangerous.

I was turning left into a driveway going no more than 7 miles an hour, because I was following a car, when I heard a large grind then pop. I parked my car and knew immediately the transmission failed by the fluid trail and part left behind. I took it to a dealer and luckily it was covered under the power train warranty. A week after receiving my vehicle back the alignment was off, driver-side headlight socket caught fire, I have labored start up, have stalled on the freeway! And have stabilitrak, airbag, and reduced engine power error codes that randomly appear.

Transmission complaints in other Impala years