Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I was driving and powersteering fluid drained and I lost control of the steering, and guide the car against the side walk. Had a mechanic change the powers steering fluid line. But now it's shooting up instead leaking down, it clogged all my spark plugs ,plus cause my cam shaft and crank shaffsensor to malfunction.,plus my belt got shredded. And now it's been over a year, and I still can't drive my car cause. It starts all over. And my front wheels are on not good arms, when crash it bent or Crack the arms.
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. …
I got home from work at 7:15 am this morning 9-29-2019 I was laying in bed watching a movie trying to go to sleep and when I finally doze off my son asked if he could go get a charger out of the car so he went out to the car and when he opened the door he said smoke hit him in his face he immediately ran back in the house yelling 'mom your car is on fire so I ran down the stair and went outside and thats all you see is smoke my car was on fire I immediately called 911 they got the fire put out and the fireman and the police officer said my fire started from my steering wheel because after the fact the fire was put out the fireman said he noticed that the steering wheel was throwing sparks still so they said that's what caused my car to caught on fire I don't know what I'm gonna do I have 4 kids and that was our transportation that's how my kids got to school and that's how I got to work …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized when the vehicle attempted to turn a corner. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle flipped into a ditch. The air bags deployed and caused minor injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer (Chevrolet of goldsboro, 3300 highway 70 bypass, east goldsboro, nc 27534, [phone]) was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls related to the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,507.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 40 MPH, the steering failed and the vehicle veered off the interstate into the median. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was also towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a bolt fell out the vehicle and needed to be replaced. In addition, the dealer stated that the air bags were affected. The vehicle was repaired; however, the air bags were not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 258,000.
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.
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.
This incident first occurred a few weeks ago while driving on the highway I got the engine power reduced message. My car didn't seem to run different and the engine light went off the very next day. Then about 1 week later it happened again but this time my car was acting funny when I needed to accelerate. I was trying to wait until paid day to take it to be checked but I couldn't wait. On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 whenever I stopped at a light or stop sign when it was time to go my car would not accelerate. I made it work OK, but on my break I needed to go take care of some important business and my car just stopped on me while I was making a right hand turn. It would not start up. I could not turn it or anything. My car stalled and I ended up on the wrong side of the road. I was able to push my car out of the way and I had to walk back to work. …
Winter of 2016 I lost power steering while I was driving 60mph. My wheel was almost like it was froze and took all I had to pull off the road. I was leaking power steering fluid I was told by a motorist who stoped to help. He said drive it to nearest mechanic. I did and was told it was the hose had burst. He fixed it. Then 4 mo later car was whinning and lost steering again. This time pump was bad and other hose was leaking. Fixed it. Now driving on a cold day and lost steering again!!! Fluid all over ground and horrible whine again. I am a disabled 55 year old woman and its so nhard to steer car. Im very lucky I didnt crash. As well as being on a very strict income of ssi disability and unable to afford getting same thing fixed. Itsvery upsetting. I checked for mrecal and there isnt any for this. Please help with info on what I can do next. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cheverolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced both power steering and engine failures. The contact received a recall notice in regards to the power steering. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to the power steering recall by replacing the hose and the clamps on February 24, 2010. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle overheated and smoke emitted from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for a diagnostics test and the dealer informed her that the engine overheated because the water pump was leaking. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were 78,591.
NHTSA investigations
Power steering fluid leaks - fires
General motors (GM) initiated a customer satisfaction campaign in October of 2006 to address a failure of the power steering hose and/or clamps that could occur when the engine is started in vehicles primarily operated in the following states that experience extremely cold temperatures:alaska, maine, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin and wyoming.at the time this…
Steering complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 135 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, 26% of the model year's 524 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Impala steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 5 fires and 10 injuries to steering 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.