2006 Chevrolet Impala

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Steering

Steering leads by volume: 135 of 544 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 609 in 2005 to 544 in 2006.

Data last changed Sep 16, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	vs. 2006 Large Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)	2,850–3,900	2,850–3,900	2,850–4,100	2,850–4,100	2,850–4,100
Combined MPG	20–22	20–22	19–22	19–22	19–22
City / Highway MPG	16–19 / 26–29	17–19 / 26–29	16–18 / 23–28	16–18 / 24–28	16–18 / 24–29
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	404–444	404–444	404–468	404–468	404–468
Complaints filed	1,072	609	544	627	810	Not compared
Recalls issued	7	4	3	3	2	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	44	39	59	52	51	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	21	13	22	10	10	Not compared
Injuries reported	42	32	49	56	44	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	0	1	1	1	Not compared
Configurations compared	4	4	4	4	4

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Impala have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?

Steering: 135 of 544 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Impala get?

EPA rates it 19–22 MPG combined across 4 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Chevrolet Impala?

EPA estimates $2,850–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Automatic 4-spd	6	3.9L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Large Cars	17 mpg	25 mpg	20 mpg	$3,100	444 g/mi
Configuration 2	Automatic 4-spd	8	5.3L	Front-Wheel Drive	Premium	Large Cars	16 mpg (low)	26 mpg	19 mpg (low)	$4,100 (high)	468 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3	Automatic 4-spd	6	3.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85	Large Cars	18 mpg (high)	28 mpg (high)	22 mpg (high)	$2,850 (low)	404 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4	Automatic 4-spd	6	3.9L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Large Cars	17 mpg	23 mpg (low)	19 mpg (low)	$3,300	468 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries	Deaths
Engine	88	3	5	4	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	111	6	3	3	0
Fuel System	20	0	0	0	0
Electrical	131	6	14	7	0
Brakes	49	7	2	1	0
Steering	135	16	5	10	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	49	6	1	2	0
Airbags & Restraints	64	33	1	31	1
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	41	3	0	1	0
Body, Seats & Latches	38	5	2	3	0
Visibility & Lighting	42	2	2	1	0
Other	34	2	1	0	0

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014
Defect: 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. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
STEERING · Campaign 09E005000 · Feb 17, 2009
Defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
SEATS · Campaign 06V215000 · Jun 15, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL PASSENGER SEAT ADJUSTER FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE LEFT FLOOR MOUNTING BRACKET MAY BE MISLOCATED.
Consequence: IN A SEVERE VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT ADJUSTER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT ADJUSTER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL ON JULY 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.