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SteeringPart report

2009 Chevrolet Impala Steering Problems

Complaints
57about this part
Share
7%of 824 total for the year
Median mileage
55,200miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, 7% of the 824 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,200 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The car started to state the airbag needed servicing. I looked up the issue online and saw the recall for my make and model. Recall number 273230. The NHTSA number is 16v507000. Separately, the steering wheel is incredibly stiff when starting the car, and while making turns. Need both arms to force the car to turn. There is no issue with power steering fluid. The steering loosens a small amount when applying pressure on the gas.”

NHTSA complaint #11208860, filed 2019-05, 85,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10785836, filed 2015-10, 28,000 miles

“Since I bought the car in 2011 used with 23,000 miles on I have had to have two new racket pinion steering motors/(units) replaced and if I'm not mistaken it appears a third is on it's way.. This is not in any way the car is being driven. This is a flaw that could also cause a dangerous situation.”

NHTSA complaint #10576408, filed 2014-04, 26,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10689466, filed 2015-02, 40,000 miles

“I was driving home on the freeway at about 70 MPH and the service engine light went on with it saying reduced engine power on display. About 10 seconds later I could not accelerate, the car began to start slowing down and I lost ability to maneuver the steering easily as the steering wheel locked up. I was able to pull off on the side of the freeway and I had to turn the car off and wait about 10 minutes for the problem to clear up.”

NHTSA complaint #10574223, filed 2014-03, 74,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020320%
2019311%
2018712%
2017119%
20161614%
20154415%
201414022%
20133413%
20124919%
2011357%
20104210%
2009577%
20089412%
200710116%
200613526%
20056010%
2004636%
2003304%
2002577%
20017610%
200012415%
19961214%
199525%

Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

Air bags
232 complaints
Electrical system
224 complaints
Engine
179 complaints
Vehicle speed control
130 complaints
Electronic stability control
108 complaints
Other or unknown
89 complaints
Brakes
75 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
68 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
22 complaints
Engine cooling
21 complaints
Seat belts
21 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology