Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
First battery needed replaced every year then few weeks ago with no warning light or messages that battery was dieing the battery died again it was replaced then it started reving up and down on its own while driving so it goes faster then slower on its own when it feels like it.. TPS wont show tire pressure cant relearn tire positions now dash lights works usually then don't bright lights don't work now if automatic light control is on car shakes bad while breaking idles hard uses ALOT of gas now massive amount of heat coming off engine now with no dash light or guage saying temp is going up engine smells kind of bad after driving the car replaced transmission once couple years ago transmission maybe going out again the gear shift locks don't work it slips out of gear and into another gear effortlessly while driving and while parked without pressing the button to move the gear shift …
While I was driving I had to stop on a hill and when I pushed the gas to accelerate it wouldn't move the engine just revved up and hasn't moved since just when you push on the gas and the rpm's go up to 5-6 and it will move maybe a foot or so. There was no warning or messages that appeared before this happened and even now after it's happens and it's not showing any code to what's wrong with it. It affected my safety and others because it wouldn't move while in the middle of the road and I could have got in to a serious car accident because of it.
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 .
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While in the park position, the vehicle independently rolled away and crashed into the garage door and side of the contact's house. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000. The VIN was unavailable.
In my 006 Impala ss the transmission is starting to slip. The car is around 83,000 miles when I first noticed this issue, and the vehicle wasn't doing any hard acceleration (around 20-25 miles an hour shifting from first to second gear). I am worried that I will have to pay to get it replaced.
In dec 2011/transmission failed at 88900 miles on my Impala that I purchased brand new, car was out of warranty, I paid half and GM paid half , to rebuild transmission- so I thought, nov 2013- 25000 miles later, trans started to fail again, I called GM, opened another case, no results or response, once again, dec 2014, I contacted GM again, transmission gone in car approx. 30,000 miles later, from when they initially rebuilt the trans, and the dealer now wants 2200 to put a trans in the car, I paid almost 2000 before in dec.2011/jan2012 for that trans to be rebuilt, here it is 30000 mile later and the trans is going...they should have re-called the transmissions in that car, because everyone has same horror story about the 2006/2007/2008's transmissions/ I have 3 separate case #'s with GM, regarding that trans on my car. …
While driving home from work received engine reduce power and service traction control light. I was on the freeway going 65mph when this message came on and lost power to my car. I was nearly hit by cars behind me. Apparently my throttle body was at fault. About a year later had the exact same thing happen while coming home from work. Throttle went bad and was nearly struck by traffic again. Google Chevy Impala throttle body and you will see all the problems. Not sure how this has not been recalled yet. When I took the vehicle in for service I was told that they do at least 3-4 of these a week. How is this allowed to be put on cars when at any random point this could quit. They said it has an issue related to oil corroding the wires which would also explain why I go through 3-4 qts of oil every 3,000 miles. The oil does not drip anywhere but GM said this was standard and common.
Transmission failure number 3. Cars current mileage is 129,537. 2006 Impala ss 5.3 litre ls4. Transmission failed at 54K miles, 96K miles, and again now at just short of 130K miles. This is [redacted] and GM refuses to do anything about it. There's thousands of posts online about the Impala ss/grand prix gxp from 2006-2009 with the ls4 5.3 v8 and 4t65e-hd transmission combo. The OEM horse power of the engine is 303 sae hp. The 3t65e transmission is only rated for 260 hp. Thousands of failures and people stranded across the us with these cars. When will someone do something about it?
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions for failures with the heater blowing cool air, the gear shift changing incorrectly, and the tire monitor indicator constantly illuminating. On January 30, 2008, the contact drove approximately 25 miles. She then pulled into the driveway and noticed smoke underneath the hood, followed by flames. She quickly extinguished the fire and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. It was diagnosed that the power steering hose failed and caused the fluid to leak. The vehicle will be repaired. The current and failure mileages were 51,000.
I would like it documented that someone is going to be seriously injured or killed all due to a known and reported issued unless Chevy does the right thing and issues a recall immediately! I have a 2006 Impala and while driving on the highway at 70 miles per hour my vehicle dropped down to 15 MPH saying reduced engine power then completely shut off on the highway. Please note my 2 year old son, and 10 year old daughter were in the vehicle with me. I was fortunate enough to make it off to the side without being hit much less killed but other people not May be so fortunate. What is it going to take for a recall to be issued?
Transmission complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, 21% of the model year's 524 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.