2006 Chevrolet IMPALA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
524 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
74,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 404 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 115 of 524 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 141 | 26.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 82 | 15.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 73 | 13.9% |
| Braking behavior | 54 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 32 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 115 |
| Steering | 111 |
| Power Train | 80 |
| Engine | 59 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 |
| Air Bags | 35 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
Electrical System: 115; Steering: 111; Power Train: 80; Engine: 59; Vehicle Speed Control: 40; Air Bags: 35; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 25; Unknown Or Other: 22
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 55 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 71 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 76 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 74 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 87 |
| 150,000 and above | 41 |
Under 25,000: 55; 25,000 to 49,999: 71; 50,000 to 74,999: 76; 75,000 to 99,999: 74; 100,000 to 149,999: 87; 150,000 and above: 41
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (87). 120 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2008 | 38 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 46 |
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 107 |
| 2015 | 47 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 14; 2007: 26; 2008: 38; 2009: 46; 2010: 45; 2011: 46; 2012: 38; 2013: 31; 2014: 107; 2015: 47; 2016: 29; 2017: 17; 2018: 14; 2019: 8; 2020: 7; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 141 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 82 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 73 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10164127 · 2006-08-01 (August 1, 2006)
AT ABOUT 5000 MILES ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA THE POWER STEERING LINE BLEW OUT. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT, AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, SLOWLY I MIGHT ADD. THE CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 12,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM NOTICING SOME NOISES IN THE STEERING. WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT AND GAS IS APPLIED, IT MAKES A WEIRD CLICKING SOUND. THIS NOISE ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. I AM TRYING TO DELAY BRINGING THE CAR TO THE SHOP, BECAUSE OF THE INCONVENIENCE OF NOT HAVING MY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10164127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174834 · 2006-11-30 (November 30, 2006)
GRINDING WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS TURNED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID GMC WAS AWARE OF A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN GREASED AT ABOUT 30,000 MILE INTERVALS. I CONTACTED GMC AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT YES THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN SOME OF THE IMPALAS BUT IT WAS COVERED IN THE 30,000 MILE WARRANTY. I ASKED WHAT ABOUT AFTER THAT THEY SAID SINCE IT WAS NOT ALL CARS IT WOULD THEN BE A MAINTENANCE ITEM. DEALERS ARE CHARGING ABOUT $100.00 TO GREASE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,646 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211326 · 2007-12-10 (December 10, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OR STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD 10 TO 15 FEET BY ITSELF. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE PERFORMS THE SAME WAY WHEN IN REVERSE. FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL AGREED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD ABNORMALLY, BUT STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218780 · 2008-02-21 (February 21, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING AND THEY REPAIRED THE FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE POWER STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED AGAIN AFTER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ THE TRANSMISSION REVERSE GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE, THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ONE OF T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,041 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223368 · 2008-04-04 (April 4, 2008)
BROUGHT TO A DEALER THAT ADVISED THE FRONT SEAL WAS LEAKING THEY REPAIRED IT AND GAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. THEN THE REAR DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING AND SHE STILL SMELLED THE BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND THAT THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING AND SHE STILL EXPERIENCED THE BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED ON HOW TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DOES…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228182 · 2008-05-19 (May 19, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANYTIME IT RAINS, HEAVY WATER LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THROUGH THE FUSE BOX PANEL. THE FAILURE CREATES A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR AND ALSO AFFECTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THE WINDOW MOTORS. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE APRIL OF 2006 AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ON MAY 17,2008, THE GENERAL MANAGER WAS ABLE TO SEE THE PUDDLE OF WATER AND STATED THAT THE WATER WAS ENTERING IN THROUGH THE FUSE BOX…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10228182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163071 · 2006-07-21 (July 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REAR BRAKE SYSTEM ROTORS FRACTURED PREMATURELY WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 26000 MPH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 26,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166527 · 2006-08-25 (August 25, 2006)
BRAKE RECALL IS NOT LISTED ON SITE FOR IMPALA 2006 SS.. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES WHICH THE RECALL CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE UPGRADE IS NOT COMPLETED CAR IS HARDER TO STOP. GM AND TED EVENS (CS DEPARTMENT) FROM THE CHEVY DID NOT THINK OF IT HAS A BIG PROBLEM. HOWEVER I CAN TELL YOU MY CAR WILL STOP MUCH BETTER NOW. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203350 · 2007-09-18 (September 18, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACTS SON OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 33 MPH AT NIGHT, THE CONTACTS SON CRASHED INTO A STALLED VEHICLE. HE STRUCK THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS WRIST. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CRASH HAD TO HAVE BEEN A DIRECT HIT ON THE SENSOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,600. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222544 · 2008-03-27 (March 27, 2008)
1. NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS BETWEEN 0 TO 55 MPH. SOME RAPID ACCELERATIONS MAX RPM ABOUT 4500. 2. RAPID LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID WHICH RESULTED IN EXTREMELY HEAVY STEERING 3. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR QUOTED REPAIR IS $550. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164393 · 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN OBJECT WAS DRAGGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THREE OF THE FOUR PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HELD ON THE HEAT SHIELD WERE MISSING. THE REPAIR SHOP MADE A TEMPORARY FIX WITH PLASTIC TIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL TANK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178344 · 2007-01-10 (January 10, 2007)
MY COMPLAINT PROBABLY DOES NOT WARRANT A RECALL, BUT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY CONSUMER NOTIFICATION. MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA HAS DEVELOPED A FUEL RELATED PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ACTIVATE. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE USE OF E-85 FUEL. THE COMPUTER DETECTS HIGH ALCOHOL CONTENT IN THE FUEL. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH BOTH A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND BY FLUSHING OUT THE E-85 FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM AND RESETTING THE COMPUTER. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS LACK OF PROPER INSTRUCTION, FROM THE DEALER, IN THE USE OF E-85. I HAV…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178344 at NHTSA ↗