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2006 Chevrolet Impala Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 524 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, most often about the steering (26% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is 11th of 21 Impala model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2006 Chevrolet Impala problems
Steering
135 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, linkages, rack and pinion, column.
I have experienced two complete failures of a power steering hose while driving. Per gm tsb #1870206. No product update or recall has been enacted. Major safety issue, vehicle is extremely difficult to steer with hose blown, could cause an accident.
Steering: I started hearing a noise - like a clunking in, at the same time I would feel it in my steering wheel...when I would turn left or right, it would clunk and kind of shake or vibrate....it got worse and worse and every time I would turn the car to the left or right, it would clunk louder and could hear it and…
Electrical
124 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
My 2006 chevy Impala has thump noise in the steering any time I turn and sounds like it gonna fall apart its a hazard to be on the road. And the heater clicks wont work resulting in the windshield being fogged when im driving that's a hazard also. I called chevy customer service did they help no take your vehicle to…
There is a very common problem with 2006-2013 Impala rear defrosters not working. Look on youtube and you will see the problem is very evident. Gm/chevy used a small bulkhead connector for the high current defroster wires located on the passenger side kick plate of the 2006-2013 Impala's that burns out. This really…
Transmission
108 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, clutch assembly, driveline.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle began to shake violently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic cleaned the throttle body. The…
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at all speeds, the cruise control activated and the vehicle decelerated. Various warning lights also illuminated randomly. In addition, the gear shifted into park, but the vehicle continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
Engine
86 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
The heat has never worked correctly unless you are accelerating. The vehicle can be warmed up and heating, but if its put into idle or at a stop it begins to blow cool. I have been told there is an air pocket that has to be bled out because there is a bad design where the hoses are above the block and they get clogged…
Going 55 MPH car suddenly dropped to 35 MPH almost got rear ended by cars behind me. Dash lights came on service traction control , engine power reduced, check engine light came on, cruise control not working. Had some work done at Chevrolet dealership 100 miles ago so maybe something they did wrong. But I see there…
Air bags
47 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact state that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 09e005000 (steering) and that the air bag warning light illuminated the day after the repairs. In addition, the contact stated that she continued to have issues with the steering. The contact spoke…
Airbag lights comes on and stays then it goes out then back on and now telling me tighting gas cap but tight and now eeplace it still stays tighting tired of this think should be recalled
Speed control
41 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the engine power reduce light and the check engine light illuminated as the vehicle slowed down independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they could not determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not…
At about 91000 miles my transmission started acting up (not shifting right, not going into any gear etc.) it finally would not shift at all unless I turned the car off multiple times and would then drive for about 2-5 minutes then all the gears would go out again. I had it towed to a transmission shop thinking it was…
Wheels and tires
34 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 38,500 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, sidewall, rim.
I purchased the 2006 Impala in 11/2006 when stopping the steering and front end shakes and vibrates. 1st the keyless remotes stop working which included my automatic start not working that happened 12/7. I am a trooper so I waited took my car to the chevy dealer 4/08 and they said there was a recall on the system so…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions; the vehicle was consuming a significant amount of fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the fuel system adhesive layer. The…
Brakes
32 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions; the vehicle was consuming a significant amount of fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the fuel system adhesive layer. The…
I was driving on the freeway in st. Paul, mn. I started up an incline to exit the freeway. I suddenly lost all control of steering and brakes. I traveled uphill until the car rammed into the curb on the other side of the exit ramp. I turned off the car and got out and called the police.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Chevrolet Impala recalls
Electrical: ignition
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Power steering fluid leaks - fires
Summary
General motors (gm) initiated a customer satisfaction campaign in october of 2006 to address a failure of the power steering hose and/or clamps that could occur when the engine is started in vehicles primarily operated in the following states that experience extremely cold temperatures:alaska, maine, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin and wyoming.at the time this preliminary evaluation (pe) was opened, only 1 of the 33 complaints received by the office of defects investigation (odi) was from a state covered by the customer satisfaction campaign.in response to an information request sent by the odi, gm provided information that included 6 alleged
Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Impala
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (135 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); electrical (124 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); transmission (108 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Impala have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Chevrolet Impala?
- It is 11th of 21 Impala model years by number of complaints, with 524 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.