Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Chevrolet Impala year.
23.7 mpg average · 18–33 range · EPA says 20
Over 5 years this costs $4,500 more in fuel than an average new vehicle.
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Campaign 14V355000
Issue: 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.
Campaign 09E005000
NHTSA frontal crash test
1 open NHTSA investigation into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2006 Chevrolet Impala 4-DR
The parts named most often across 544 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
8 crashes · 1 fire · 7 injured
9 fires
4 crashes · 1 fire · 3 injured
20 crashes · 22 injured · 1 death
1 fire
1 fire · 1 injured
1 crash
1 crash · 3 injured
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
1 complaint-reported fatality on this model.
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.
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
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 available for inspection anytime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Got the car saying it needs service on the airbag
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.
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.
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.
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
Showing 12 of 544 complaints.