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).
Upon entering my vehicle and waiting for the engine to warm up as it was around -05 degrees f there were no issues to be had. About 15 seconds after leaving my parking spot at my place of employment and 70 feet later my engine started feeling weird, heard a chime and saw my dashboard with the wording "engine power reduced." not knowing what it was and knowing I had no other choice continued driving home. 4 days pass no issue then yesterday when it was 27 degrees f outside again had the car warm up and about same time frame and same distance later the same series of events occurred but this time the RPM was bouncing between 700 and 1100 when I was moving in idle. …
A couple days ago on January 5th, my car started taking a second longer than normal to start up after sitting for hours at a time but when I shut it off immediately and wait about 3 to 5 seconds to start it, it starts perfectly fine. I have between 148,000 and 149,900 miles and I've had it for three years and this is the first time it happened.
My complaint probably does not warrant a recall, but should be handled by consumer notification. My 2006 Chevy Impala has developed a fuel related problem that causes the check engine light to activate. This is caused by the use of e-85 fuel. The computer detects high alcohol content in the fuel. The dealer was able to solve the problem with both a software update and by flushing out the e-85 from the fuel system and resetting the computer. The cause of this problem was lack of proper instruction, from the dealer, in the use of e-85. I have been instructed that after filling the gas tank with e-85, the vehicle must be driven a minimum of 11 miles, before shutting off the engine. This gives the sensor in the fuel system sufficient time to adjust to the fuel. This needs to be done every time the vehicle is switched from conventional e-10 gas, to e-85. …
I've been experiencing the same problem with my 2006 Impala off and on for the last year, maybe more. The car will randomly give me an error of "engine power reduced." the car slows to a crawl, has no acceleration, the engine shakes and it sputters until the engine is turned off. I took it to a mechanic who said it was the tps sensor. He replaced the throttle body. The car ran fine for a few months and then it started again. Since I was getting the same codes, I took it back to the mechanic who informed me that it could be an electrical problem or it could have been caused by my battery, but there's no way to tell for sure without troubleshooting. I have since been to several mechanics, all who say the codes point to the throttle body, but they also agree that I shouldn't be getting these codes so quickly after replacing the unit - which cost over $300. …
I was driving through a intersection and my car stalled and a person coming from opposite direction ran the light and I was unable to move because my call stalled and then a few section it pulled off.this is very dangerous and I know you guys see all these complaints. I don't understand why you guys are ignoring this issue are just waiting for a pretty bad accident to occur I hope not because we have enough problems through out this world no money, children and elderly getting murdered, and the fact the we try to do better to get better its been coming harder but, I know god has a plan to heal this world. So, I would like to be reimburse cause I failed the emission test and would like to be compensate for that as well also to get that removed off my emission file that I failed out of all the cars never failed a test before and I don't want that on my record. Thank
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 vehicle has not been repaired. The contact was concerned about the safety risk. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was unknown. Updated 12/07/09 the consumer stated the trip computer, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, traction control were all inoperative. Also all of the lights flash at times and stay on. Updated 12/09/09
Fuel system; code p0230. Cam/crankshaft; solenoid circuit in bank 1 code p0010. Radio wiring; radio is smoking all the time bad ground wire or short in wires. My vehical stopped while I was in drive motion going approximately 45 MPH. No injuries, and no fatalities but my Impala stopped running and have not been able to start it since. In addition no one had got hurt, I was in open road. I have not had my the vehical serviced or diagnosed by a service center. Due to a no crank/no start condition. It will not move. Prior to the failure, we had the MIL on the dash say power engine reduced. That's when at high speed on freeways or extensive driving patterns.
Driving on freeway when a reduced engine power light came on and the car shut off, luckily I was able to pull aside from big trucks, otherwise I would be struck by. No codes and no one knows what the problem is. As far as I know this is a major incident that someone can get hurt or loses life. I went online thru edmunds and saw a lots of complains about the same problem, but when I called the dealer they said nothing about a recall !! Been a Chevy customer for a long time. I just can't believe it. Something or someone got to do something about this problem, please !!!
Displayed on panel "reduced engine power" . On star diagnosed service code "p2138". On 05/01/2012 while driving through a large intersection my engine power was reduced to 3 or maybe 5 MPH. I was trying to get through the intersection without the acceleration that was so desperately needed. This is definitely a safety issue. In addition to being concerned about getting into an accident, I'm fearful I will be the one causing a fatal pile-up. I have been to the Chevy dealer 4 times and they were unable to fix this problem.
Engine light came on, "reduced traction control" light came on, power was drastically reduced and then "reduced engine power" light came on. Car has a problem that needs to be addressed, but cutting off power and acceleration while I'm making a turn with oncoming traffic or driving 70+ MPH is not a safe way of addressing that problem. I can turn off the car and regain power. Nearly any other way of addressing the code would be infinitely better than killing power while driving. It is not safe.
Fuel System complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, 4% of the model year's 524 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Impala fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
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.