2009 Chevrolet Impala

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Chevrolet Impala
Pictured: 2018 Chevrolet Impala Premier front 4.7.19. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan FWD Ls/Lt, 4dr Sedan FWD Ltz/SS
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 19 city / 29 hwy
Length
200.4 in
Curb weight
3,594–3,713 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2009 large car (18.3 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints432 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 74 for similar models — most often about the air bags.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is a large car offered with 3 engines (3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 200 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,594 lb (4dr Sedan FWD Ls/Lt).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (19 city / 29 highway), 26% better than the 2009 large car average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 432 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Impala — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Impala →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–3.5L 6-cyl
Engine–3.9L 6-cyl

Trims

1LTLSLTZ

Built in: Oshawa #2, Ontario

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2009 Impala configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan FWD Ls/Lt200.4 in72.8 in58.7 in110.6 in61.8 / 62.2 in3,594 lb61/39
4dr Sedan FWD Ltz/SS200.4 in72.8 in58.7 in110.6 in61.8 / 62.2 in3,713 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impala FFV3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 23+26%$2,900386
Impala3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive18 / 29 / 22+20%$3,050404
Impala FFV3.9L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 27 / 21+15%$3,200423
Impala5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19+4%$3,550468
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.3 MPG2009 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Chevrolet Impala (this car)23 MPGNot rated4
2009 Honda Accord25 MPGNot rated10
2009 Dodge Charger21 MPGNot rated3
2009 Dodge Challenger20 MPGNot rated4
2009 Chevrolet Malibu29 MPGNot rated3
2009 Chrysler 30019 MPGNot rated3
2009 Toyota Avalon23 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V507000 · 289,254 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Risk
If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Electrical System › Ignition · Jun 23, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 vehicles

Problem
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Aug 3, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V377000 · 36,413 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage · Oct 13, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V480000 · 303,100 vehicles

Problem
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.
Risk
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Chevrolet Impala is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

432Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
23Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
18Injuries reported
95,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags170
Electrical System112
Engine88
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)62
Vehicle Speed Control57
Unknown Or Other39
Power Train29
Steering26
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/09: 122/04: 122/06: 122/07: 323/01: 123/02: 223/03: 123/05: 223/06: 123/07: 123/08: 223/09: 124/01: 324/02: 124/05: 124/07: 124/08: 124/10: 124/12: 125/02: 225/03: 125/09: 126/03: 126/06: 121/0922/0723/0323/0724/0124/0724/1225/09max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Chevrolet Impala buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 170 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 112 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Engine — 88 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 95,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Impala years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2020 Impala22201.2 in★★★★★015
2019 Impala25201.2 in★★★★★128
2018 Impala25201.2 in★★★★★159
2017 Impala25201.2 in★★★★★0117
2016 Impala25201.2 in★★★★★0111
2015 Impala25201.2 in★★★★★3300
2014 Impala28201.2 in★★★★★12571
2013 Impala22200.4 inNot rated1232
2012 Impala22200.4 inNot rated3175
2011 Impala23200.4 inNot rated2252
2010 Impala22200.4 inNot rated4242
2008 Impala22200.4 inNot rated2278

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →