Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the power steering and brakes seized without warning. As a result of the failure, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact did not specify if any injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.
Automatic transmission slipping gears on take off, wheels sound like bearings are going out, like a grinding noise. Changed the front brake pads and rotors together due to wheel wobble and brake sensors on display. Constantly displaying "service traction control" on message board. Dealership has refused to assist with this issue as well as any failures of the vehicle. Vehicle now is immobilized, and will not go into a forward movement only a reverse drive. Wheels are locked up and vehicle is stranded! Still making payments on this used purchase. Please advise!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH attempting to engage the brakes, the vehicle failed to respond causing the contact to crash into a guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 214,000.
While backing car started to jerk due to traction control problem caused distraction and I paused the car and looked at dash board and continued to back up hitting car in parking lot isle way- had the car repaired spent $ 900 on ABS traction control and front wheel bearings problem still exists and GM will not divulge what is causing the problem- car is not safe to drive- you cannot trust to pull out into traffic car stops when it should not.
I was turning off of elberton road onto veribest road & I heard the front tire made a knocking sound about 3 times while turning & continued to drive after the car felt okay, then I felt as if the car dropped or the tire was coming off & the steering wheel locked up, traction control light started to blink & the brakes went out & we crash due to me not having control of the vehicle! Me & my 3 kids were badly injured!
Brake recall is not listed on site for Impala 2006 ss.. I had a problem with my brakes which the recall corrected the problem. The upgrade is not completed car is harder to stop. GM and ted evens (cs department) from the Chevy did not think of it has a big problem. However I can tell you my car will stop much better now.
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 they fixed that and my tire monitoring system(which went out again on 12/1/08). My seatbelts wont lock in you have to force it hard several times and then still comes out on both the passenger and drivers side. My rear left door stop wrkg 6/08 1st the door would not close now it does not open at all. On 12/21/08 the power steering went out while driving at 55mph on the expressway. Also the heat stop working and the rear defrost 12/16/08 and it is freezing in chicago. …
We purchased a used 2006 Chevy Impala in 2008 with 21,000 miles and now we have just over 55,000. After more use in down hill driving about a few months of owning this car and using more brake the steering wheel will wobble from the front rotor(s) warping. I talked to a Chevy dealer service man and he said that Chevrolet made them out of softer metal and that is normal, they should straighten out and work properly. Yea right. I should of had him drive it down hill at 75 MPH and see if he craps his pants. A year ago I had the rotors resurfaced and that cured the problem till now 09/01/2010 and the problem starts again. I think the rotors are made from soft metal and is a manufacture defect. I would take that to the bank. Upon inspection of the rotors the right front had some different coloring from the heat and warpage I think. I have been my own mechanic since I was a teenager. …
I was driving my company assigned car down a steep hill when the engine stalled without warning. This has happened 5 other times with this vehicle. This was the first time I was traveling fast though. It's like the engine just turns off. The lights are still on but I lose the power steering and brakes. It was terrifying and extremely dangerous. This problem happens completely randomly with no warning. It has happened to others in my company with their impalas. I looked online and found numerous other instances of Chevy impalas of various model years doing the same thing. It is currently in the repair shop and the mechanic can't duplicate the problem. I told them its random and occurs about every 4 months or so. I am afraid I will have to get back in this death trap due to my employer making me. …
Brake complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, 7% of the model year's 524 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Impala brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Impala brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.