1996 Chevrolet Impala: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 88 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (15% of complaints); the 1994 and 1995 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owned a 1996 chevrolet impala. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and crashed into a ditch. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2013
“The consumer noticed that when it rained, the passenger's side floor was soaked due to a leak inside the vehicle. *ak *sc *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2004
“(1) while traveling thru laughlin, nv traveling west on hwy 163, car abruptly quits. Fuel pump fuse blown. Suspect dying fuel pump. Install new fuse, travel another 30 miles up hwy 95...car dies again. This time, no blown fuse. Fuel pump will not run. Tow vehicle to final destination (las vegas). (2) pulled the tank, removed the sending unit for pump replacement. Quickly noticed the problem. The fuel pump wiring inside the tank had shorted out. Insulation burnt completely off of the primary pump power wire and shorted into the fuel quantity ground wire. Connector at top of sending unit melted. (3) replace sending unit, fuel pump, strainer and fuel filter. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Power steering intermittently locks up during turns at low speeds. This same thing happened 3 years ago. Chevrolet dealers and customer service both deny any evidence of a recurring problem with impalas although the NHTSA web site and an impala owners' web site both list numerous occurrences of this malfunction. This is a very dangerous situation that renders the car temporarily out of control. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2004
“Steering assist stops when turning. Not all the time but it has happened several times.its very scary when in traffic.so far no accidents, but its just a matter of time when .”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2004
“The lower ball joint experienced the same failure as stated in the recall, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2003
“When the vehicle accelerated from a stop,there was a knocking noise coming from vehicle's under body. Consumer believed the lower control arm was defective. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2003
“Heater core in my 1996 impala is constantly clogging, therefore no heat and no defrosters. Cooling system flushed 2 times by chevrolet garage. They have no way to correct the problem. This problem is nation wide and not a local issue. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2003
“The driver side seatbelt was inoperative. When seatbelt was extended outward, it would not retract. By assumption, consumer tested the belts by slamming on brakes, and they didn't retract. Ts consumer also removed the molding and found the recoil spring was protruding out of hole on the cover. *tt *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2002
“Odometer display goes out intermittently-dealer service department has indicated the only way to correct this problem is to replace the dash. Sounds excessive for a vehicle with less than 42,000 miles. The water pump leaking creates more of a safety hazard. It leaks onto the power steering belt, causing the belt to slip, causing the power steering to go out intermittently. There is no warning when this happens. Again, this part failing with less than 42,000 miles on a car seems out of line. Mr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
How other years compare
Check your exact Impala by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala. The most complained-about area is visibility (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Impala problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Impala have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.