Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
5.3l v8 model needs to be added to the PI1384A campaign. recently fried my fuseblock because the relays melted. i am an ase certified technician For Firestone complete auto care, this is the exact problem that all ls4s will face.
I got a P2138 code for Accelerator Pedal Sensor error. From what I have seen this is caused by the two sensors not matching. I have repaired this issue previously about 3 years ago, but it has happened again. This seems to be a common issue with GM cars of this era.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH in very light rain when the vehicle exhibited an abnormal clicking noise four times successively. The front end of the vehicle then seemed to drop to the ground causing the steering wheel to seize, the traction control warning light to flash and the brakes to become inoperable. The contact also stated that the air bag erroneously deployed and knocked her unconscious. The vehicle then traveled off the roadway, into a woody area and crashed into a tree. The contact was awoken by the screams of her small children, who were sitting in the rear of the vehicle. Two child passengers were injured and suffered lacerations to the face, contusions of the shoulders, face, head injuries and a concussion. …
My vehicle has had the problems of not giving me correct readings from the gauges when my car was running hot it never displayed any indication that it was which caused engine failure in my car throwing a rod I also have experience and still do when I turn on my signals my bright lights come on as well as sometimes when I open the door the lights do not come on but when I close the door they do my motor mounts on my car are not stable this was part of the problem the first time it shifted now not from wear and tear because I had an inspection done on the vehicle prior to purchasing the vehicle and received a clean bill of immaculate care and health of the vehicle in less than 8 months I have been in nothing but one disaster after the next I'm feeling very unsafe and unsure of this vehicle it seems as if it's moving faster than what is on the speedometer because I have often had to apply …
I was driving the car earlier today in the power steering pump was making noise. So I check it it was empty I filled it up with power steering fouled.come to find out its a leak again. For the third time in that the lights been flickering since I bought the car for two days the check battery system light was on. Then one day it cut off on me in traffic. While driving .then after a while I got a jump but the car didn't stay running on its on after the fifth try it stayed running.I was able to drive home now every other week so. I have to messing with cable cord on the battery to get the car to start. Just so happened today my alternator. Was on fire. The fire department had to cut all the wiring off that was connected to the battery just to stop the fire from burning .
Rear defrost stopped working. When I looked into why, I found the large electrical connector thats behind the front passenger kick panel to be completely burnt. The connections are obviously not rated high enough to handle the amps needed. When I looked on line there is hundreds of people complaining about the same thing. This circuit is also not protected by a fuse. It's a miracle that this didn't burn my car to the ground. This is a very large problem with a large number of effected cars. Mine was just a small electrical fire, but could have been much worse.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at a parking lot, the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was not filed and there were no injuries sustained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,838. Updated 04/08/16; updated 05/09/18
The check battery system light was on for about 3 weeks ,was driving down the road and the vehicle caught on fire and burnt to the ground, the fire department and state.police said that it was an electrical fire. Iwas on the highway and barely got out of the car before the whole car was up in flames.
Rear defroster wiring under front passenger door had smoked and small fire. Car was in motion on a city street. Was just pulling into my driveway so I pulled of fuse box cover to discover it. Wires melted. Had no fuse in there. Burned out quickly.
My wife was driving home from the grocery store on jan 1st, with my daughter in the passenger seat. They began to smell something burning, so my wife pulled over, when my daughter got out of the car she saw flames shooting out from under the glove compartmented good samaritan came running over with a fire extinguisher to attempt to put fire out, my daughter called 911, and the cranford fire dept. Showed up within minutes to put out the fire. In the fire dept. Report they said the fire was caused by an electrical problem from the fuse box. The car was ruled a total loss, the passenger side air bag deployed and the windshield cracked, luckily nobody was seriously hurt, but GM is claiming they have no responsibility for this fire. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 124 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, 24% of the model year's 524 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 14 fires and 7 injuries to electrical system 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.