Used 2008 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A) Consumer Reviews
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Worst car i have ever owned
Andrew, Columbus, OH, 09/06/2017
Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
These cars are very cheap but that is for a good reason. They are horrible unreliable cars made with cheap throw away parts. My car had 65000 miles when i bought it in early 2017. Since then i have replaced the starter power steering line (which still leaks) it has multiple oil leaks the transmission is slow to shift and when it does it kicks into the next gear. Motor mounts are made of glass everyone has to be replaced. Do not be fooled by the cheap prices these cars have on the lot. They're cheap for a reason
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Did it’s job while she lasted!
Steph, Pierson, MI, 09/23/2020
Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought in 2013 with 78,000 miles. 3.5L V6 with leather and sunroof. Had literally zero mechanical problems until about 120,000 miles, then of course a few normal things- bushings, a wheel bearing, some weird actuator thing in the wiper area that made a loud noise (replaces twice). Then about at around 140,000 power steering pump went but plenty of warning, then as time went on it needed some wires replaced that went from the shifter to the ignition, they were simply worn out and stopped connecting or whatever they do so they key wouldn’t come out of the ignition (thank you Lord it wasn’t the actual ignition I needed to replace). Then the windshield cracked on its own, twice. Just kind of bizarre stuff. Eventually she developed an oil pan gasket leak and a transpan gasket leak at around 150,000 ish. But I noticed nothing different with the performance and just kept an eye on the fluids every month. Keep in mind that I have a VERY HEAVY FOOT ON THE PEDAL. Last week I was going to work and driving about 45-50 and huge doe leaps out in front of the car from a ditch. I am very cognizant of deer while driving but this was unavoidable. It literally bounced off the front and flew up in the air and into someone’s driveway. Dead on the spot. I can honestly say that I really didn’t feel much. No airbags went off, but the car took it like a champ. I even limped her to work but had to have it towed to shop. Car ended up being totaled only due to the hood being pushed in so far that it killed the radiator and whatever else is right in front. Headlights, etc. Body shop said it was a shame the insurance totaled it because besides the front, rest of it was perfectly intact. I can honestly say I felt very, very safe in the car despite the mechanical and odd things like tire pressure sensors needing replaced multiple times- it actually never left me stranded once. Plenty of power to pass on the highway and huge trunk too.
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08’ Impala- Yr of the death trap-injury, defects.
ResearchGuru, Mankato, MN, 07/07/2018
Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful
Well this is one of a very select few cars that has all the highly publicized dangerous, expensive recalls, defects and just plain issues that were fixed with others but left in the 2008 because “they’re not enough deaths from the defects in this YEAR” mind you the same problems apply, same part failures killed so many that millions of recalls were sent through... The notes on issues for the Death Trap Impala... All bad parts that were not recalled on 2008 Impala that are the same defects and parts recalled from all other males and models. Late year 2007-shift into 08 can be included as well as late year 2008-into 09. Front lower control arm suspension defects driver and passenger side-snaps causing loss of vehicle control extensive damage,possible injury or fatality.Older control arms have 3 holes placed across center, new control arm was changed to only have one center hole. Rear axle spindle rod and bearing driver and passenger side not supporting/staying aligned causeing rapid tire wear,less stable stopping, turning etc. potential to blow tires causing accidents. ALL suspension issues were ONLY recalled in police vehicles with the excuse that police accessory packages caused extra strain- that is not true ALL Impala models in these yrs have the same defective parts and upon reviewing accessory placement it was no where near changing or interrupting these suspension part defects. GM just wanted to limit how many they had to repair on their dime. Airbags and safety restraint system as well as seatbelt restraint system defects- Besides that the 2008 Impala uses the SAME TAKATA AIRBAG AND SEATBELT SYSTEM THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND RECALLED IN ALL BUT A FEW YRS LIKE THE 2008! GM states that it hasn’t caused enough fatalities but if you look at all i formation documented even just on the NHTSA sites it causes and has caused a number of very serious injuries and add this to a defective suspension system that does not hold up to impact- can’t handle any impact, seatbelts don’t lock and airbags fail to deploy. The injury’s sustained are life altering serious 4 week plus hospital and intensive care stay bad. 6 alone in June 2018. airbag issues/defects/recalls in all but 2008 defective airbag OCS algorithm (entire electrical computer system) defective frontal sensors, control modules. Damage to seat sensor (weight safety sensors, way to sense passenger airbag need) wiring as front seat frames/placement seat adjustment/movement may damage Presence sensor wires and module. Defective airbag inflator causing inflator tube pieces to cause injury to person when airbag partially deploys shredding sections and prevents proper bag inflation. All defective seatbelt issues also prevent airbag system communication and deployment so again, seatbelt safety features being defective, not holding you back then having a failed airbag has resulted in severe injury and death. Seatbelts have been threaded incorrectly and not attached properly causeing the automatic tensioning cable in belt retractor to break. Front belts not secured properly to anchor pretensioner mounts causeing them to pull away on impact. All preventing safety belt to lock to keep person from dash or other impact, also without the ‘locking’ safety mechanism triggered airbags do not deploy. Belts, clips etc also are not ‘latching’ clipping together properly when buckled do to defects causing the system to think no one is there for safety measures in the vehicle to activate. Many failures are associated with B-pillar clips as well as retractors (parts of safety belt assembly) being broken easily due to never being secured properly or screws not being long wide or plentiful enough to hold these important mechanisms in place. You have points of impact externally around the vehicle to activate car safety systems, however the internal components and modules internally are key to have a fully functioning safety system. seat sensors also keep them off when deadly for shorter or lighter people, children or when the seat is empty. Or turn them on when a passenger is seated. Of seat tensioners fail break or not even close to a proper position inticating your presence airbags may not deploy causing full impact to dash, windshield etc etc , if they do deploy they may kill you as you are not restrained at all. But from research the trend is if your seatbelt restraint system is defective at all expect to not be protected by anything other then the shell of your car. THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN EVERY MAKE/MODEL/YEAR That used defective parts. they’re thousands of reports all over the internet. For way more issues then these that are defects.Why are some not being fixed? Because complaints aren’t always going to Chevy/GM or sent to NHTSA,documented in police reports or looked over by mechanics for causes and failures because the Magnitude of events overpowers your memory of airbag and seatbelt failure,damage/injury sustained from suspension support failures
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Run, run, run....away from buying this car.
Debi, West Bend, WI, 10/22/2015
updated 04/26/2021
Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
13 of 17 people found this review helpful
Our 2008 Impala has less than 80,000 miles on it, for a seven year old car that is low mileage........right now it's undergoing almost $3,000 of repairs. Our mechanic said that he's never seen a vehicle with so few miles have such problems. And of course, one of the problems seems to be another infamous GM defect........an anti-freeze leak. I Googled it and there are A LOT of complaints about that problem. Also has severe paint "crazing" on the black trim/paint by the windows. Started very shortly after purchase. I complained to GM, was told that "it's not a safety issue" so basically they were saying "tough &%*$". Won't EVER buy another GM. 10/23/17 I got an email to update my review......well, here goes. This Chevrolet Impala has been a nightmare. The worst car I've ever owned. Most recently there was a horrible squeal/scream, finally took it to a friend's shop, he found the problem. But, prior to that I spoke with GM (totally useless) and the dealership's mechanics (also totally useless). The dealership mechanic asked me to call them back to tell them what our mechanic finally found......well, heck no, they didn't help me.......I'm not about to help them!!! In spring of 2018 we will be buying a new vehicle, IT WILL NOT BE A CHEVROLET!!!!
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Smooth Ride
Arthur, 05/04/2007
Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
When loaded with leather, heated seats, retractable sun roof and a fine sound system this vehicle is nearly as good as the Hyundai Acera. The car cruises on the highway extremely well. It does not have the pep I would like but it does the job especially when fueled with E-85. This flex fuel vehicle gets a big lift from the higher octaine gasoline that helps solve the sluggish pickup problem. I found the vehicle not as comfy as my Cadillac Deville but it was nearly as nice. The price of this vehicle is right. The 28k I saved made me feel a heck of alot better in giving up my Cadillac for the 31 mpg I now get on the freeway. Good value, good on gas and nice looking to boot.
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