Reliability
Chevrolet

Impala (10th)

2006-2016 · Full-Size Sedan · 11 engines
5,306 NHTSA Complaints
20 Recalls
87 Fire Reports
315 Crash Reports
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
IMPALAIMPALA ECO EASSISTIMPALA LIMITED
View all 6 generations of the Chevrolet Impala → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.1 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 1,514 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 2,441.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall1,514 complaints against about 2,441 for similar vehicles
8.1
Last three years44 complaints against about 200 for similar vehicles
9.4
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced168 complaints against about 433 for similar vehicles
8.9
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating41 complaints against about 108 for similar vehicles
8.9

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20067.7
  • 20078.3
  • 20088.1
  • 20096.8
  • 20107.6
  • 20117.3
  • 20128.9
  • 20138.8
  • 20148.8
  • 20159.0
  • 20168.9

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LZE

3.5L 6-cyl
1,863 complaints 232.9 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
35 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
669
engine
372
safety systems
295
steering
219
transmission
210

LFX

3.6L 6-cyl
1,266 complaints 243.6 per year Gasoline
17 fire reports
View details

Chevrolet Impala Unidentified Engine

745 complaints 67.7 per year
9 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
243
engine
168
transmission
91
other
75
steering
72

LZ4

3.5L 6-cyl
539 complaints 107.8 per year Gasoline
9 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
174
engine
121
safety systems
98
transmission
61
steering
59

LS4

5.3L 8-cyl
166 complaints 55.3 per year
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
55
electrical
31
engine
31
steering
29
suspension
23

LKW

2.5L 4-cyl
163 complaints 75.5 per year Gasoline
8 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
61
engine
37
brakes
23
safety systems
17
exterior
17

Same engine used in

LZ8

3.9L 6-cyl
134 complaints 44.7 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
31
engine
24
steering
21
wheels tires
17
other
14

LGD

3.9L 6-cyl
134 complaints 44.7 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
1 fire report 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
61
safety systems
37
engine
29
transmission
19
brakes
11

LZG

3.9L 6-cyl
117 complaints 117.0 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
46
suspension
24
steering
18
engine
15
wheels tires
14

L54

5.3L 8-cyl
29 complaints 29.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
17
safety systems
12
transmission
6
engine
5
steering
5
Show 14 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

L67

3.8L 6-cyl
3 complaints 1.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

LUK - DI, ALUM, BAS, ECOTEC

2.4L 4-cyl
3 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
3
safety systems
1
transmission
1
steering
1

LL0

1.9L 4-cyl
2 complaints 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension
1
engine
1
electrical
1
fuel system
1

L81

3.0L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
transmission
1

2BBL

1.6L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

Same engine used in

LP2

1.0L 3-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1
steering
1

LY8

1.3L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
exterior
1

Same engine used in

L99

6.2L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1

Same engine used in

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Impala, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 1,949 owner complaints
Engine: 946 owner complaints
Steering: 739 owner complaints
Safety Systems: 732 owner complaints
Transmission: 610 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala

On a used 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (1,949), the engine (946) and the steering (739). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,949 owner complaints on the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala about the electrical system.
  2. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 946 owner complaints on the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala about the engine, all engines combined.
  3. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 739 owner complaints on the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala about the steering.
  4. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 732 owner complaints on the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
  5. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 610 owner complaints on the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala

Recalls (20)

16V507000Jul 5, 2016serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

15V465000Jul 24, 2015serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 19, 2015, equipped with front vented-heated passenger seats. Accordingly, the Automatic Occupant Sensing (AOS) system may fail to suppress the front passenger air bag if a child seat is in the front passenger seat. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

15V202000Apr 6, 2015serious
Parking Brake

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured March 22, 2013, to May 22, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Systems (FMVSS) No. 135 "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

15V085000Feb 11, 2015serious
Parking Brake

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 15, 2012, to May 30, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Systems (FMVSS) No. 135 "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

14V614000Oct 1, 2014serious
Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Show 15 older recalls
14V541000Sep 9, 2014serious
Parking Brake

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 22, 2014, and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.

14V518000Aug 28, 2014serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured April 11, 2013, to June 27, 2013, and 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured May 13, 2013, to November 5, 2013. The affected vehicles may have left the factory with the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) set to "manufacturing mode."

14V489000Aug 8, 2014serious
Structure

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured May 7, 2014, to July 28, 2014. In the event of an accident, the center storage console may not stay latched. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, "Occupant Protection In Interior Impact."

14V450000Jul 23, 2014serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to December 20, 2013. Due to a poor electrical ground connection to the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), the affected vehicles may have a loss of power steering assist during start up or while driving.

14V409000Jul 2, 2014serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Impala vehicles. Improperly torqued fasteners may cause the steering intermediate shaft and the steering gear and/or the lower control arm and the lower ball joint to separate.

14V355000Jun 23, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

14V092000Feb 21, 2014serious
Powertrain

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

13V220000May 24, 2013serious
Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

12V377000Aug 3, 2012serious
Suspension

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

11V398000Aug 5, 2011serious
Steering

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED SO THAT IT CAN COME IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AND/OR CONTACT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WITH THE ENGINE ON, HEAT FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY MELT THE POWER STEERING HOSE.

10V480000Oct 13, 2010serious
Seat Belts

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.

09E005000Feb 17, 2009serious
Steering

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.

08V517000Oct 6, 2008cosmetic
Air Bags

GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR THAT COULD FRACTURE AT AN INFLATOR TUBE DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

06V419000Oct 31, 2006serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK IS MISSING THE ADHESIVE LAYER THAT BONDS THE BARRIER LAYER TO THE OUTER SHELL OF THE FUEL TANK.

06V215000Jun 15, 2006serious
Seats

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL PASSENGER SEAT ADJUSTER FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE LEFT FLOOR MOUNTING BRACKET MAY BE MISLOCATED.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (12.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (12.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (12.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (12.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (12.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (11.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala complaints?

Owners have filed 5,306 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the steering.

Is the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 5,306 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala have?

NHTSA has 5,306 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala?

NHTSA lists 20 recalls covering some 2006-2016 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Impala?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the steering, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Impala?

The 2016 Chevrolet Impala received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (12.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 5,306 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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