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2009 Chevrolet Impala

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Impala.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is a full‑size passenger car that, like its predecessors, relies on a conventional engine architecture serviced with a 6‑quart capacity of 5W‑30 API‑rated oil. Across the model’s 1991‑2020 span, owner feedback totals 824 complaints for this year, with air‑bag issues emerging as the most frequently reported problem and five separate recalls recorded. Although the 2009 figure sits well below the 2004 peak of 1,071 complaints, it remains above the historic low of a single complaint in 1997, indicating that the 2009 Impala occupies a middle ground in the model’s overall reliability trajectory.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 2009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731179. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225/60R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179 alt 12690386
Engine air filter	10350737
Spark plug	12681662 alt 12621258
Battery	88866261
Front wiper blades	15941732 alt 15941731
Serpentine belt	12577770 alt 12596249
Thermostat	12591881 alt 12600171
Cabin air filter	84557894

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	200.4 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	58.7 in
Wheelbase	110.6 in
Curb weight	3594 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impala of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.6–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2006 SS V8

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2007	LTZ V6 3.9L V6	7.40 sec	15.60 sec	233 hp	FWD
2007	Police 3.9L V6	7.50 sec	15.60 sec	240 hp	FWD
2006	SS V8 5.3L V8	5.60 sec	14.20 sec	303 hp	FWD
2006	LT V6 3.5L V6	8.30 sec	16.70 sec	211 hp	FWD
2014	2LT V6 3.6L V6	6.00 sec	14.80 sec	305 hp	FWD
2014	2LTZ V6 3.6L V6	6.20 sec	14.80 sec	305 hp	FWD
2014	2LTZ V6 3.6L V6	7.10 sec	15.60 sec	305 hp	FWD
2014	1LT 2.5L I-4	8.70 sec	16.80 sec	195 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API · SAE 5W · SYNTHETIC · SAE OW
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	155 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	3.5 L
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	85

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	185-205 °F
Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	55-62
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-60

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	133 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	88 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

installation, 92 ft. lbs., step 2: remove bolt, step 3: install new bolt, 92 ft. lbs., step 4: 130

92 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

installation, 92 ft. lbs., step 2: remove bolt, step 3: install new bolt, 92 ft. lbs., step 4: 130 degrees, step 5: 130

92 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

6.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

6.6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala recorded 824 complaints, the highest in the 2006–2013 portion of this generation, alongside 5 recalls—more than the 2–3 recalls seen in 2006–2008 and the 4 in 2010. Complaint volume then dropped to 441 in 2010 and remained lower through 2013, suggesting the 2009 model year represents a peak in reported issues. The top complaint areas for 2009 were air bags (134), electrical system (80), and engine (45), with 43 crash-related and 9 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. While TSBs increased steadily across the generation, the 2009 year’s elevated complaints and recall count imply a higher likelihood of encountering problems. A buyer would likely find a more reliable option in a 2010 or later model, where complaint numbers are substantially lower.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1064

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

824

Owner complaints

43 involved a crash · 9 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08’09’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 824 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags134

Electrical System80

Engine45

Electrical System,Air Bags34

Vehicle Speed Control34

Service Brakes, Hydraulic23

Power Train18

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V507000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 05/07/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

14V355000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 23/06/2014

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1064 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
13598	2025-09-09	Unknown Or Other	New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
PIC5650M	2025-08-06	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impala. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 6 qt Engine oil filter 12731179 Engine air filter 10350737 Spark plug 12681662 Battery 88866261

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Impala take?

6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.