YearToAvoid

2006 Chevrolet Impala Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2006 Chevrolet Impala has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering (26% of complaints) and electrical system (25%) issues dominate, with 524 total complaints and 1 recall on file.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
67/100
#6 of 16 Impala years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
524
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
58
reported in complaints
Fires
22
Injuries
46
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
17 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
46 / 1

Top 2006 Chevy Impala problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering135 (26%)
  2. Electrical System131 (25%)
  3. Engine109 (21%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain108 (21%)
  5. Brakes49 (9%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires48 (9%)
  7. Airbags47 (9%)
  8. Structure & Body32 (6%)
  9. Other31 (6%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers24 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Steering wheel can lock up suddenly at highway speed, causing loss of control and crashes into trees or off the road.
  • Power steering hoses have leaked fluid onto the exhaust and firewall, leading to engine-bay fires while driving.
  • Airbags have failed to deploy in side-impact and frontal crashes, including one crash at 60 mph on a rain-slicked highway.
  • Transmission has been reported to slip when shifting from first to second gear at low speeds around 83,000 miles.
  • Rear tire blowouts have caused sudden loss of vehicle control and collisions with other vehicles.
  • Seat belt pretensioners reportedly failed to engage when a vehicle fishtailed on icy roads and struck an embankment.
2006 Chevrolet Impala complaints: complaints filed per quarter442006 Q32008 Q42011 Q12013 Q22015 Q32017 Q42020 Q12023 Q4
524 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q3 to 2026 Q1; peak 2014 Q3 (44).

2006 Chevrolet Impala recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V355000Jun 23, 2014Electrical System3,141,731 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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.

2006 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,325
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other Impala years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution53609121
2006Caution67524119.5
2007Avoid87627221.5
2008Avoid93810221.5

All Chevrolet Impala years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Impala carries a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among the 16 model years with data. Steering and electrical system problems make up over half of its reported complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 135 complaints (26% of the total) and linked to 16 crashes and 5 fires, with a median failure mileage of 58,152 miles.
Does the 2006 Impala have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2006 Impala, covering the electrical system and airbag key-ring issue, with no do-not-drive advisory attached.
How does the 2006 Impala compare to other Impala model years?
The 2006 model's Complaint Index of 67 is worse than the 2005 (53) and 2012-2020 model years, but better than the 2007-2009 and 2014 model years, which all carry Avoid verdicts.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
EPA rates the 2006 Impala at 19.5 mpg combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.