LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Some local officers are pulling the parking brake on their police cars because of a recall.

Lieutenant Matt Hedden drives a 2008 Chevy Impala every day for work with the Anchorage Police Department.  He now knows with every turn he takes, there could be a problem under the hood.  "We don't want our officers driving them if they're not safe," he says.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a control arm in the front suspension of mid-year 2008 to 2012 Impalas can fracture and break, causing drivers to lose control and crash. The ultimate fear is this happens during a chase or high performance driving and results in a fatal wreck.

It triggered a nationwide safety recall of 38,000 police cars. 

Smaller departments like Anchorage are hit the hardest -- it has eight Impalas for 10 officers.

Lt. Hedden must get the cars in for repair, while keeping his police officers on patrol.  "A lot of agencies, they've switched their entire fleet," he says.  "So if an agency has Impalas, it will probably be a lot of them like we do."

Saint Matthews will need to repair a third of its police cars.  Patrolman Dennis McDonald says, though, "The community should not be concerned about that at all.  We have new cars we've just purchased that are ready to use and ready to go on the street."

Chevy designed the Impalas with specific modifications and power for policing, so if you're wondering about your car, you're not affected by this recall. The Impalas sold to the public are safe.

Officers tell WDRB News that departments started moving away form the traditional Crown Vic several years ago for cars with better fuel efficiency and front wheel drive.

LMPD says it has four of the recalled vehicles in its fleet.   Hardin County Sheriff's deputies drive them, as well.

There are no reports of injuries or crashes linked to the failing part.  The automaker will pay for the repair.

GM just started notifying departments this week.  The dealership will replace the lower control arms for a corrected part.  We're told each repair takes about two hours.

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