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Research · Large Cars

2006 Chevrolet ImpalaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 544 owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala. Most complaints involve steering (135) and electrical system (130). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2014
Owner complaints
544
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jun 23, 2014NHTSA 14V355000

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

544 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2005 – Mar 2026
  1. Steering135
  2. Electrical system130
  3. Power train111
  4. Engine59
  5. Air bags48
  6. Vehicle speed control41
  7. Structure29
  8. Engine and engine cooling29
  9. Tires27

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Impala model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000829
2001747
2002808
2003722
20041,073
2005608
2006544
2007627
2008810
2009824
2010442
2011505
2012258
2013272
2014638
2015301
2016890
2017117
201859
201928
202015
Crashes reported
59
Fires reported
22
Injuries reported
49
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

135 reports16 crashes5 fires
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2024Steering, Wheels, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11583840

Electrical system

130 reports6 crashes14 fires
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2023Electrical systemODI 11562238

Power train

111 reports6 crashes3 fires
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2025Power train, Exterior lighting, WheelsODI 11660121
All 2006 Impala problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl · 3.9L 6-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impala
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
182822$2,850404
Impala
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
Impala
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162619$4,050468
Impala
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L, FFS MPFI · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
  • Impala
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, FLEX-FUEL
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Impala
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Impala
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    16 city · 26 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Impala
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L, FFS MPFI
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5867Vehicle 1849
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Impala questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Impala have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Impala problems?

Owners filed 544 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (135), electrical system (130), power train (111). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Chevrolet Impala get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet Impala at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026