2006 Chevrolet Impala

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 524 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

404 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System88
3123
Steering84
12010
Power Train53
322
Engine40
210
Air Bags28
16011
Power Train › Automatic Transmission20
101
Vehicle Speed Control15
201
Visibility13
010
Unknown or Other13
100
Seat Belts10
101

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V355000
Filed Jun 23, 20143,141,731 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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.

Steering09E005000
Filed Feb 17, 2009979 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2026NY

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.

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 18, 2025CA

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

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 10, 2025CA

First battery needed replaced every year then few weeks ago with no warning light or messages that battery was dieing the battery died again it was replaced then it started reving up and down on its own while driving so it goes faster then slower on its own when it feels like it.. TPS wont show tire pressure cant relearn tire positions now dash lights works usually then don't bright lights don't work now if automatic light control is on car shakes bad while breaking idles hard uses ALOT of gas now massive amount of heat coming off engine now with no dash light or guage saying temp is going up engine smells kind of bad after driving the car replaced transmission once couple years ago transmission maybe going out again the gear shift locks don't work it slips out of gear and into another gear effortlessly while driving and while parked without pressing the button to move the gear shift clicking or tapping noise started coming from front end only when turning left now does it while.turning and sometimes while.going straight and it's all still happening... theres more but not going into all of it now. DTC code listed 2days ago was listed as: B1000-00 Electronic Control Unit. Searched Google for code and got posts saying ECU needs replaced..updated or reprogrammed and some say BCU needs replaced..upgraded or reprogrammed. Each time I search the code I get a different reason for the code and different meaning. I have a 2006 Chevy Impala SS 5.3L V8 with police package. Car is availa

Power Train
Filed Nov 5, 2024OH

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.

SteeringCrash
Filed Apr 18, 2024NY

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.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 28, 2023NC

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.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 9, 2023MN

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 17, 2022TN

Got the car saying it needs service on the airbag

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 4, 2022AZ

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 19, 2021AZ

According to my obd scanner the components that are failed is the throttle body position sensor circuit A & the throttle body position sensor circuit B. Before this happened the check engine light was on for about a week, when I scanned the vehicle with the obd-II the code for a large leak in the fuel EVAP system came up. One day while driving the vehicle I was stopped at a red light and once the light turned green I pressed the gas and the car started to sputter and move very slow also in the driver information center it intermittently showed the warnings service traction control and speed reduced. I had to pull over when safe to do so. Once I got the vehicle home I ran the scan again and it came up with the throttle body position sensor codes. The part is available for inspection. The safety of me and my passenger were in jeopardy we could've definitely been in an accident because it was so sudden when it happened. I have not taken the car to a dealer but an independent mechanic has looked at it. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than me and an independent mechanic. This was a very scary experience and I have seen many forums with the same issues from GM cars. Your attention is needed and appreciated.

Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2021MI

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fire1 injured
Filed Oct 6, 2020148,000 milesCA

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE PROBLEMS OF NOT GIVING ME CORRECT READINGS FROM THE GAUGES WHEN MY CAR WAS RUNNING HOT IT NEVER DISPLAYED ANY INDICATION THAT IT WAS WHICH CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE IN MY CAR THROWING A ROD I ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCE AND STILL DO WHEN I TURN ON MY SIGNALS MY BRIGHT LIGHTS COME ON AS WELL AS SOMETIMES WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR THE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON BUT WHEN I CLOSE THE DOOR THEY DO MY MOTOR MOUNTS ON MY CAR ARE NOT STABLE THIS WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME IT SHIFTED NOW NOT FROM WEAR AND TEAR BECAUSE I HAD AN INSPECTION DONE ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVED A CLEAN BILL OF IMMACULATE CARE AND HEALTH OF THE VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 8 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN IN NOTHING BUT ONE DISASTER AFTER THE NEXT I'M FEELING VERY UNSAFE AND UNSURE OF THIS VEHICLE IT SEEMS AS IF IT'S MOVING FASTER THAN WHAT IS ON THE SPEEDOMETER BECAUSE I HAVE OFTEN HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY FASHION JUST TO STOP I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL I CAN FORWARD THE BILLS OF THE SAID REPAIRS SO THAT IT WAS SUPPORT MY CLAIM I DO NOT HAVE THEM WITH ME AT THIS TIME BUT MY EMAIL IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power TrainCrashFire
Filed Sep 17, 202083,000 milesSD

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.

Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2020197,000 milesAR

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 24, 2020149,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED ON WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

Seat Belts
Filed May 12, 2020162,000 milesPA

THE RECEIVING SEAT BELT CONNECTOR COUPLING DEVICE AT THE BASE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT SECURE THE SEAT BELT MALE END. THE RED BUTTON THE NORMALLY FLUSH WITH THE TOP OF THE RECEIVER. YOU WOULD NORMALLY DEPRESS THE RED BUTTON DOWN TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT ONCE LOCKED INTO THE COUPLING DEVICE. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS WITH ENGAGING THE BELT INTO THE CONNECTOR IS UNSUCCESSFUL. TRIED LUBRICATING THE MECHANISM. NO HELP. IT'S A SELF CONTAINED DEVICE AND CAN NOT BE DISASSEMBLED FOR REPAIR. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 12, 2020150,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED TO TURN AS THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEELS LOCKED UP CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH WAS A CONCERN TO THE CONTACT AS SHE STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED HER OF A RECALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER BODY BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 2, 2020180,000 milesNC

THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANYTHING CATCHING ON THE INSIDE IT'S JUST LOOSE, IT'S THE SAME WAY FROM THE INSIDE ALSO. I WENT TO THE STORE WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE I PUT MY DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT ON THAT SIDE THE DOOR OPEN FINE IT SHUT AND LATCHED FINE WHEN I GOT TO THE STORE AND GOT OUT TO GET MY DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT THE DOOR JUST WOULD NOT OPEN IT'S LIKE IT'S LOCKED BUT IT'S NOT LOCKED YOU CAN MOVE THE MECHANICAL LOCK UP AND DOWN FROM THE INSIDE , AND YOU CAN ALSO HIT THE LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB AND IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE DOOR JUST WILL NOT OPEN. THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME CONSIDERING IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE BACK PASSENGER NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO. THIS COULD BE A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE, AND HAS ME EXTREMELY CONCERNED CONSIDERING I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THE BACKSEAT DAILY THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Oct 28, 2019198,945 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH FROM A RESIDENTIAL STREET TO AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND A WHIPLASH. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT ANKLE AND A WHIPLASH. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ALSO INJURED. ALL THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AT THE SCENE AND WAS TOWED TO A POLICE LOT. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE POLICE LOT TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 926820. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 198,945.

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Sep 29, 2019120,000 milesMO

I GOT HOME FROM WORK AT 7:15AM THIS MORNING 9-29-2019 I WAS LAYING IN BED WATCHING A MOVIE TRYING TO GO TO SLEEP AND WHEN I FINALLY DOZE OFF MY SON ASKED IF HE COULD GO GET A CHARGER OUT OF THE CAR SO HE WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE SAID SMOKE HIT HIM IN HIS FACE HE IMMEDIATELY RAN BACK IN THE HOUSE YELLING 'MOM YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE SO I RAN DOWN THE STAIR AND WENT OUTSIDE AND THATS ALL YOU SEE IS SMOKE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 THEY GOT THE FIRE PUT OUT AND THE FIREMAN AND THE POLICE OFFICER SAID MY FIRE STARTED FROM MY STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE AFTER THE FACT THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT THE FIREMAN SAID HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS THROWING SPARKS STILL SO THEY SAID THAT'S WHAT CAUSED MY CAR TO CAUGHT ON FIRE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO I HAVE 4 KIDS AND THAT WAS OUR TRANSPORTATION THAT'S HOW MY KIDS GOT TO SCHOOL AND THAT'S HOW I GOT TO WORK I'M LOST I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I NEED TRANSPORTATION I'M A SINGLE PARENT WITH 4 KIDS IT WILL NOT LET ME MARK EVERYTHING BUT EVERY IN THE CAR IS BURNT MY CD PLAYER 13' SUBWOOFER SPEAKERS THAT WAS IN THE TRUNK MY AMP

20 of 524 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202015000Routine
201928110Routine
201859100Routine
2017116000Routine
2016111040Routine
20153003110Above average
20146341280Above average
2013272100Above average
2012258350Above average
2011505250Above average
2010441430Above average
2009824591Fatalities reported
20088102101Fatalities reported
20076273101Fatalities reported
2006 — this page5242221Fatalities reported
20056094130Above average
20041,0727210High concern
20036948320High concern
20027957320High concern
200174210672Fatalities reported
200081810732Fatalities reported
19994000Routine
19982010Routine
19971000Routine
199688120Routine
199544110Routine
199415100Routine
19932110Routine
19920100Routine
19910100Routine

Compare every Impala year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 23, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.