10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
16 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,060 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #91

Oct 162012

Impala

  • 83,571 miles
The power steering pump has been replaced 4 times in 5 or 6 years. There was a recall on the power steering cooler line which was repaired by replacing clamps and hose as per recall in 2011.on 10/12/12 the steering gear and the power steering pump were replaced. On 10/25/12 the power steering pump that was put on 10/12/12 was found to be leaking and was replaced. It was still under warranty. On 12/16/14 another power steering pump had to be put on as the previous one had failed. The pump that was replaced was not under warranty.

- Grandview, MO, USA

problem #90

Dec 132014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Popping noise coming from front end of car. Noise occurs with acceleration, braking, shifting transmission or passing over speed bumps or rough roads. Generally occurs at lower speeds, less than 35mph, but occurs with higher speeds as well, although not as frequently. (possibly coming from sub-frame or sub-frame bolts?)

- Mount Airy , NC, USA

problem #89

Nov 252014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 113,900 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while reversing at 3 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,900. The consumer stated the power steering hose was leaked, which caused the rack and pinion to fail. One year later, the power steering hose failed again. The power steering hose failed again for the fourth time. Updated 01/29/15

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #88

Sep 232009

Impala 8-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
I purchased my 2006 Impala ss brand new in 2006. I've been a loyal GM customer my whole life. At 99,000 started experiencing transmission issues, slipping, and hard shifting... at 101,000 miles I was driving down the highway and my transmission stopped working. I refinanced my car to rebuild the transmission for $2,200. After the rebuild transmission was working ok. Then at 122,000 miles it stopped working again... it was snowing and I was stranded in the turn lane of a road with a speed limit of 55mph... I turned off my car let the engine cool down and back on at least 20 times... my car moved about 200 feet each time... an hour later I got back to my house that was 5miles from the failure. I cant afford to fix it now and I am still paying for the car. Its been sitting in my yard for 10 months. This issue is very dangerous and needs to be resolved. I also received a recall for my power steering hose, got it fixed and the brackets came loose from my frame causing my steering to get very hard. I pulled over and checked my power steering fluid at walmart and it was empty. I filled it and everything was working. The next morning I had no power steering again... my hose had rubbed on my frame making a hole. I went to the store and bought more power steering fluid but after I put it in my steering was making a loud sound and didn't turn well. I think it was damaged due to the leak. I too have a loud clicking sound coming from my dashboard when I turn on my car. I was told by the dealership it was the vent flap motor... $750 dollars to repair... part is only $65 the rest is labor... also when I first bought my car I had to get all 4door windows replaced (under warranty) due to improper window guide adjustment. And my automatic trunk release works off and on, my keyless entry only works 5 feet from my car with new batteries, and all tire pressure sens. Went bad$100 each help.

- Dinwiddie, VA, USA

problem #87

Aug 012014

Impala 8-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
Popping sound in steering, when turning.

- Nicholasville, KY, USA

problem #86

Jul 102009

Impala

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 45 mph, an abnormal smell emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the power steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Bakersville , CA, USA

problem #85

Jun 032014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
My daughter was driving down the road when she was not able to steer the car. The car entered the ditch and rolled. My daughter was banged and bruised up but did not require going to the hospital. I then receive a recall notice that there is a fault in the ignition system and to remove all items from the key ring. Also, that GM was aware of this problem and did nothing about it. Praise the lord that my daughter was not killed or seriously hurt but I am out $6700 for the car. I did not have full coverage on the vehicle. I had liability and comprehensive but not collision.

- Culbertson, NE, USA

problem #84

Sep 012014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
2006 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer writes in regards to power steering and power brakes recall notice issues. The consumer was informed, the parts were not available.

- Mantua, NJ, USA

problem #83

Aug 282014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
All I am trying to do is get a loaner car until the parts are in so I don't have to be involved in an accident and file a complaint. I have been on hold for 25 minutes waiting for a supervisor at the customer assistance center. My safety and my children's safety is my concern. I do not believe that I am asking for much after being a loyal customer for 40 years and a GM mastercard holder in good standing. My email is [xxx]and my number is [xxx]. thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #82

Jul 112014

Impala

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at 37 mph, the vehicle independently steered to the left causing the contact to go into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to come to a stop after crashing through a manhole. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Marengo, IA, USA

problem #81

Jul 112014

Impala

  • miles
As I'm approaching up the highway 1/2 mile from the car that is slowing down ahead I tried to press in my brakes but my car refused to stop I tried turning my while off it failed to turn. Basically I went straight in the back of the car. Its like the car jump as I approach the car ahead as if it reset itself then approach to turn after hitting the vehicle in front me it was a very scared site to experience. No airbag came out it was just me bracing myself against the seat holding on the wheel bracing hoping the car stops.

- Harvey, LA, USA

problem #80

Aug 222013

Impala

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle power steering failed intermittently and made abnormal noises. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Darham, NC, USA

problem #79

May 302014

Impala

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while turning at approximately 10 mph, the power steering failed and the contact crashed into a tree. The contact sustained a fractured foot that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Ypsilanti , MI, USA

problem #78

Aug 012014

Impala

  • 104,889 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician made the contact aware of recall NHTSA campaign number: 09E005000 (steering). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 104,889.

- Cohocton, NY, USA

problem #77

Jun 272014

Impala 8-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
While driving the car the car shut off and the steering got stiff. I was unable to control the steering which caused me to run into a brick mailbox.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #76

Jun 072014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
Pulling out of drive turning left lost power steering could not straighten steering wheel and hit curb.

- Greenwood, SC, USA

problem #75

Apr 042014

Impala

  • 43,880 miles
In the fall 2010 I purchased the 2006 Impala with nearly 19,000 miles on it.. from the start I was having problems losing air with one of the tires, and each time I took it in, was told it was fixed. At the beginning of 2013 I started pumping air into that one tire every 3,4, days, and the grinding noise I heard since April of 2013, ( at which time it passed inspection) progressed into not being able to steer at all. On April 4, 2014, (car inspection time) I managed to bring the car to the dealership I purchased from. After spending $921. For the yearly NY state inspection, four new tired, the problem with the deflating tire, the power steering, I thought everything is "ok". not so. As I drove the car home, I heard this loud humming noise. I thought I purchased some bad tires"?? so I drove the car a little longer, hoping the noise will subside. Not so!!. so, on May 20, this year 2014 I again took the Impala to the dealership. After replacing a front wheel bearing and another bill for $526. I needed to talk with one of the owners. At which time I also discussed the steering wheel problem. He gave me all kinds of explanation..... and reduced the bill to $356.. after incurring a total sum of 1,278. I do not know who to blame. The car manufacturer???, the dealer???" or my lack of car knowledge. I am a single 75 year old woman, on a very limited ss income who thought this car should last my lifetime. I drove other cars before, and never experienced such heartache as I do now. As of today 5/20/2014 the mileage on the vehicle is 43,882. I kept this car in the garage, as you can see by the mileage, this should have not happen.

- Spencerport, NY, USA

problem #74

Mar 192014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 196,000 miles
Car hard to steer and turn, hit a concrete barrier damage the left front bumper, light, body frame on left side of the car.

- Morrisville, NC, USA

problem #73

May 132014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 75,333 miles
I was turning from one street onto another and all of a sudden there was a clanking noise coming from under the car and then the power steering went out along with the brakes and my acceleration. I had to pull over and stop the car. After all this my car would not start and every time I tried to start my car, it sounded like the battery died but I know it wasn't the battery.

- Saugus, CA, USA

problem #72

Apr 012010

Impala 6-cyl

  • 38,756 miles
My power steering was acting crazy and making clicking and other weird sounds. After being notified of a recall, I took it in to the dealer. The dealer told me they had to perform the recall, which they have it listed as a power steering flush on my GM owner center file. It has now returned back to clicking and weird sounds when I drive and turn. I'm scared that maybe GM is overlooking my Impala.

- Miami, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »