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2008 Chevrolet Impala

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Impala.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined as a passenger car requiring 6 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, the 2008 Chevrolet Impala sits within a model history spanning 1991 to 2020 that ranges from a low of 1 complaint in 1997 to a high of 1071 in 2004. Accumulating 810 total owner complaints and subject to two recalls, this model year occupies a moderate reliability position while flagging the electrical system as the top complaint area for researchers. Ultimately, this data places the 2008 Impala between the history's extremes, indicating that while it avoids the peak issues of the 2004 model, it demands specific scrutiny of electrical components rather than aligning with the lowest complaint volume recorded.

Model year202020192018201720162015201320122008

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 filter12731179 alt 12690386
Engine air filter10350737
Spark plug12681662 alt 12621258
Front wiper blades15941732 alt 15941731
Serpentine belt12577770 alt 12596249
Thermostat12591881 alt 12600171
Cabin air filter84557894

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.4 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3594 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
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007LTZ V6 3.9L V67.40 sec15.60 sec233 hpFWD
2007Police 3.9L V67.50 sec15.60 sec240 hpFWD
2006SS V8 5.3L V85.60 sec14.20 sec303 hpFWD
2006LT V6 3.5L V68.30 sec16.70 sec211 hpFWD
2002LS V6 3.8L V68.60 sec16.60 sec200 hpFWD
20142LT V6 3.6L V66.00 sec14.80 sec305 hpFWD
20142LTZ V6 3.6L V66.20 sec14.80 sec305 hpFWD
20142LTZ V6 3.6L V67.10 sec15.60 sec305 hpFWD

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 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · SAE 5W · SYNTHETIC · SAE OW
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub155 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity3.5 L
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number85

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185-205 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-62
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-60

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle133 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle88 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1installation, 92 ft. lbs., step 2: remove bolt, step 3: install new bolt, 92 ft. lbs., step 4: 13092 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1installation, 92 ft. lbs., step 2: remove bolt, step 3: install new bolt, 92 ft. lbs., step 4: 130 degrees, step 5: 13092 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Installation, 92 ft. lbs., step 2: then remove bolt, install new bolt., step 3: 92 ft. lbs., step 4: 130 degrees.92 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 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 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory 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 2008 Chevrolet Impala represents a mid-cycle year within its generation, sandwiched between the 2006 redesign and the 2014 refresh. Complaint volume in 2008 (810) rose sharply from 2007 (627) and remained nearly identical to 2009 (824), signaling a period of elevated owner-reported issues—particularly in electrical systems (106 complaints), suspension, and steering—before tapering significantly after 2011. Recalls dropped to just two in 2008, down from three in 2007 and well below the five in 2009, though investigations spiked to two, matching the generation’s peak for that metric. The data does not specify root causes, but the trend suggests unresolved systemic concerns during this model stretch. While crash (51) and fire (10) complaints are notable, they do not deviate dramatically from adjacent years. **Takeaway:** The 2008 Impala is a riskier used purchase than later model years, given its position in a high-complaint window with lingering reliability questions—proceed only with a thorough pre-purchase inspection and verified recall repairs.**

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1003
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
810
Owner complaints
51 involved a crash · 10 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 810 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System106
Suspension70
Steering48
Power Train47
Engine39
Air Bags31
Vehicle Speed Control26
Unknown Or Other24

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

12V377000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 03/08/2012

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1003 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
135982025-09-09Unknown Or OtherNew Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
PIC5650M2025-08-06Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis 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 batteryVehicles taking 6 qtEngine oil filter 12731179Engine air filter 10350737Spark plug 12681662Front wiper blades 15941732

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Impala take?

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

Does the 2008 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.