The 2009 Chevrolet Impala lasts around 250,000 miles with some A/C and door lock issues. At $5,283 – 7,914, it’s an affordable choice for a sedan designed to carry people.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Impala a Good Used Car?
- Yes, 2009 is a good year. Owner reviews praise the durability, smooth suspension, and decent power.
- Reliability ratings are average. There are more serious mechanical complaints on the 2010 and newer models.
- Performance is average from the base V6, but the V8 offers great power for a sedan.
- The Impala is a safe car, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is below average, at up to 23 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Impala?
- Consumer Reports says the Impala is competitive in its class, with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Impala a 4.4/5 liking the comfortable suspension, but disliking the subpar interior materials.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Impala 4.3/5 and enjoy the roomy cabin, but dislike the dated technology.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala Have?
The most common complaints found on the 2009 Impala include noises in the dash, worn out door locks, and a reduction in power from the engine.
Excessive noises in the dash are the most common complaint from owners at around 90,000 miles. The source of the problem is the air conditioning actuator, which costs about $330 to replace when it wears out.
Worn-out door locks are another problem mentioned by owners at roughly 65,000 miles. The door lock actuators wear out over time, and cost about $150 per door to replace.
A reduction in engine power shows up on some Impala models at around 120,000 miles. The most common source is a sensor failure which costs around $100 to replace, but there’s a chance that the ECU has failed, costing around $1,000 to change.
There are 5 recalls on the 2009 Impala, with the most important one being for the lower control arms in the suspension which can break and increase the risk of a crash.
How Long Will the 2009 Chevrolet Impala Last?
A properly maintained 2009 Impala will last around 200,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles more than other large sedans like the Chrysler 300. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to many rivals, at $505 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Most 2009 Impala models will have over 100,000 miles so prospective buyers should be prepared to replace the engine front gasket for $750, engine mounts costing $350, and axle shaft seals which cost $150.
It has a weird click that occurs but it has been looked at and it is nothing to worry about. Some of the sensors are starting to go off like tire pressure sensors but after hand checking them they're fine.
No I do not have any problems with the car. I have had the normal brakes radiator type of issues. Nothing too serious.
Yes the 2009 Chevrolet impala ltz is reliable because it can lasts a long time and no the car does not have problems.
It hasn't had any huge problems I have had to replace the tires on it kind of frequently and other than that no it's been a good car.
The Chevy impala is really reliable, no engine problems or suspension issues, but it is a little hard on the gas.
Very reliable with the normal amount of maintenance. No unusual problems, it has now gone over 100,000 miles and I feel it could go another 100,000 miles. Would buy another Chevy when this one needs replacement.
Mechanically our 2009 Chevrolet impala ls is extremely reliable. However, the air conditioner has had problems since approximately one month after purchase. It has a continuing ticking sound when the air conditioner is turned off.
My impala has been in the shop numerous times in the 4 years I have owned it. I have spent a fortune on repairs and I am constantly having to borrow a car from other family members while it's in the shop.
How Much Is the 2009 Chevrolet Impala Worth?
Blue book values range from $5,283 – 7,914, making the Impala about $1,000 less than a Hyundai Genesis or Nissan Maxima. When new, the price range was $23,790 to $31,135. Depreciation is a bit worse than its rivals, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Impala?
There are five models of the Impala available. The stereo system was updated for the 2009 model year, with the next full redesign coming in 2014.
LS is the base model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Front Bench Seating
- Cloth Seats
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- OnStar
- Keyless Entry
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System
LT is a step up and adds:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Remote Start System
- Carpeted Floor Mats
2LT offers more improvements such as:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Rear Spoiler
- Fog Lights
- Alarm System
- Bluetooth Connectivity
LTZ is a luxury-focused model with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Front Bucket Seats
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Bose 8-Speaker Stereo System
SS is the sport model and features:
- Unique 18-Inch Wheels
- Black Exterior Trim
- Sport Suspension
- Larger Engine
What Engines Come In the Impala?
- The base engine offers average performance from the 3.5L V6 which makes 211 horsepower and gets up to 23 MPG combined.
- A step up is the more powerful 3.9L V6 which produces 233 horsepower while getting up to 21 MPG combined.
- The flagship engine is the powerful 5.3L V8 offering 303 horsepower and gets up to 19 MPG combined. Performance is good for a large sedan, taking 6.6 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Impala Come In?
How Big Is the Impala?
The 2009 Impala is an average-sized large sedan similar to the Ford Taurus and Buick LaCrosse. Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin, and it’s one of the only sedans that can fit 6 people with the front bench seat.
Cargo space is great for a sedan, offering 18.6 cubic feet of room in the trunk, which will fit 4 to 5 suitcases.
How Does the Impala Compare to the Competition?
The Chevy Malibu is another rival from Chevrolet, which costs around $500 more. Technology is better in the Malibu, but the Impala has more passenger room. We recommend the Malibu since it has better reliability ratings and is more up-to-date.
The Toyota Avalon is a competitor which costs about $3,000 more. Interior materials and technology are both better in the Avalon, but the Impala SS has a more powerful engine. We recommend the Avalon since it’s the longest lasting full size sedan on the market.
Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Impala?
Yes, the vehicle runs great and is very dependable in any weather condition. It has 240,000 miles on it but still does great.
Yes the impala is a good and reliable car with minimal problems. I have not had to replace anything major. With regular maintenance the car will float on the road. I have also drove out of town and although it is a little old it was great on gas.
Yes the 2009 Chevrolet impala ltz is a good car it moves around a lot and it could last around a long time if you take care of the car.
Yes it is a great car I use it every day and it has given me little problems and I have had it for two years now.
Yes it is a good car, drives great and is very dependable, the space is comfortable and is a smooth ride.
This is a fine and safe car to drive. It has four doors and large enough to carry 5 passengers in comfort. We use it on long trips and it is very comfortable and steady on the road. It is also very good on gas. I find Chevys very reliable and also very stylish.
Our 2009 Chevrolet impala ls has proven to be an excellent vehicle. We have had no need for any major mechanical repairs. It has taken us from California or Nevada to New Orleans on numerous occasions.
I really like the looks of my car and it drives well. However, I have had to have a lot of repairs on the car. I bought it used but I know the person who had it before took good care of it. I know other people that have had good luck with impala's so maybe I just got a lemon.