2006 Chevrolet Impala: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 524 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 524 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Filed one complaint already about my car malfunctioning now on May 15 2025 I was.involved in a car accident and my airbags DID NOT DEPLOY!!!it was a front crash hit the front right side of the car and no airbag deployment”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. In addition, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where a valve replacement was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2025
“While I was driving I had to stop on a hill and when I pushed the gas to accelerate it wouldn't move the engine just revved up and hasn't moved since just when you push on the gas and the rpm's go up to 5-6 and it will move maybe a foot or so. There was no warning or messages that appeared before this happened and even now after it's happens and it's not showing any code to what's wrong with it. It affected my safety and others because it wouldn't move while in the middle of the road and I could have got in to a serious car accident because of it.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2024
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“I got a P2138 code for Accelerator Pedal Sensor error. From what I have seen this is caused by the two sensors not matching. I have repaired this issue previously about 3 years ago, but it has happened again. This seems to be a common issue with GM cars of this era.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2023
“I was driving and powersteering fluid drained and I lost control of the steering, and guide the car against the side walk. Had a mechanic change the powers steering fluid line. But now it's shooting up instead leaking down, it clogged all my spark plugs ,plus cause my cam shaft and crank shaffsensor to malfunction.,plus my belt got shredded. And now it's been over a year, and I still can't drive my car cause. It starts all over. And my front wheels are on not good arms, when crash it bent or Crack the arms.”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2023
“5.3l v8 model needs to be added to the PI1384A campaign. recently fried my fuseblock because the relays melted. i am an ase certified technician For Firestone complete auto care, this is the exact problem that all ls4s will face.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2022
“FUEL SYSTEM; CODE P0230. CAM/CRANKSHAFT; solenoid circuit in BANK 1 CODE P0010. RADIO WIRING; Radio is smoking all the time BAD GROUND WIRE OR SHORT IN WIRES. MY VEHICAL STOPPED WHILE I WAS IN DRIVE MOTION GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. No injuries, and No fatalities BUT MY IMPALA STOPPED RUNNING AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START IT SINCE. IN ADDITION NO ONE HAD GOT HURT, I WAS IN OPEN ROAD. I HAVE NOT HAD MY THE VEHICAL SERVICED OR DIAGNOSED BY A SERVICE CENTER. DUE TO A NO CRANK/NO START CONDITION. IT WILL NOT MOVE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WE HAD THE MIL on the dash say POWER ENGINE REDUCED. THAT'S WHEN AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAYS OR EXTENSIVE DRIVING PATTERNS.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2021
“As many other 5.3 liter gm vehicles during this period, my car has been burning oil, fouling spark plugs, and throwing check engine lights for many years due to this all-too common issue. It is a safety hazard, and all gm vehicles with this motor issue should be recalled and fixed. It poses a serious hazard when you attempt to pull out into the road and the car sputters and misfires and you have no power because oil is seaping past the rings.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“In my 006 impala ss the transmission is starting to slip. The car is around 83,000 miles when I first noticed this issue, and the vehicle wasn't doing any hard acceleration (around 20-25 miles an hour shifting from first to second gear). I am worried that I will have to pay to get it replaced.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2020
“As I was driving my car acted as if it was going to stall wouldn't go pass 45-50 miles per hour. I went to a automotive shop just to find out the catalyst converter it's very dangerous why driving in the car stalls.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 58 of these complaints and injuries in 46 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
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 September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 2006 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
NHTSA has 524 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The most complained-about area is steering (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Impala problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Impala have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. 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.