Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Chevrolet Impala problems

Owners filed 544 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Impala with NHTSA between Dec 2005 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is steering (135).

Complaints
544
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
59
Reported by owners
Fires
22
Reported by owners
Injuries
49
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Visibility27
  11. Seat belts19
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  13. Suspension18
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)14

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20053
200628
200726
200838
200946
201045
201146
201239
201331
2014107
201547
201629
201717
201815
20198
20208
20212
20222
20232
20242
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

135 reports16 crashes5 fires1 related recall
“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 fires1 related recall
“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

Engine

59 reports3 crashes2 fires
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2026EngineODI 11721945

Air bags

48 reports32 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2025Air bags, Wheels, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11661665

Vehicle speed control

41 reports3 crashes
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2021Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11429684
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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