1966 Chevrolet IMPALA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1966 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 33.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 33.3% |
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:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 1 |
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1; Equipment: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2004: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10088692 · 2004-08-27 (August 27, 2004)
MFGR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE RECALL NUMBER 71V235000 CALLED CHEV, THEY ESTABLISHED A REF# 1-250262940 ON MY BEHALF ON AUG 25. THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID VEHICLE MIGHT NOT BE INVOLVED AND TO CALL HELM INC. CALLED HELM, THEY SAID, CHEV IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE INFO. RUNAROUND. PROVIDED CHEV, KIM THOMAS, CAMPAIGN # 5110000, VIN# 164676D119657 YOUR RECALL# 71V235000. ALL I GOT WAS THEY DO NOT HAVE INFO THAT OLD SO ARE UNSURE. PROVIDED THEM DESCRIPTION OF PART INVOLVE ENGINE LIFT STOP CABLE UNIT. PN# 325875 NOTHING DONE. MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, ENGINE JU…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296359 · 2009-12-18 (December 18, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1966 CHEVROLET IMPALA . HE PURCHASED AN EVERSTART MODEL # 24MS-6 BATTERY . SEVERAL DAYS LATER AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A SIZZLING SOUND. HE PULLED OVER AND THEN OPENED THE HOOD, AND THE BATTERY EXPLODED IN HIS FACE. THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURIES. THE STORE THAT SOLD HIM THE BATTERY WAS WALMART. A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO BRING THE BATTERY TO THE STORE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506842 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)
ROUTE OF POWER STEERING HOSE CAUSED IT TO BE CUT BY TIE ROD. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506842 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
69V030000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 1969-02-28 (February 28, 1969)
EXHAUST EMISSIONS (CARBON MONOXIDE) MAY ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE EXHAUST PIPE IS SUBSTANTIALLY OUT THE DESIGN POSITION, DETERIORATED FROM USE, OR WHEN AN OPENING IN THE BODY DEVELOPS NEAR THE EXHAUST OUTLET AND, AT THE SAME TIME, A NEGATIVE AIR PRESSURE OCCURS IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR.
Consequence: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY EXPERIENCECARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
Remedy: RESEAL NEARBY BODY JOINTS AND REPLACE THE DRAW PLUG IN THE BODY WHICH WAS USED TO REMOVE SURPLUS BONDERIZING SOLUTION DURING MANUFACTURE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗71V235000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 1971-12-29 (December 29, 1971)
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A SEPARATED MOTOR MOUNT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO LIFT, WHICH MAY AFFECT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE, MOMENTARILY INCREASING THROTTLE, POSSIBLY TO FULL THROTTLE.
Consequence: UNEXPECTED LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL MAY CAUSE LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT ENGINE MOUNTS AND INSTALL RESTRAINTS WHICH WILL LIMIT ENGINE LIFT AND ELIMINATE POSSIBLE SECONDARY EFFECTS TO THE THROTTLE LINKAGE DUE TO ENGINE MOUNT SEPARATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗