AI Damage2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211) reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211) filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 20
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 15% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 10% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (30% of all).
- Structure: 4 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (15% of all).
- Visibility: 3 complaints (15% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 20 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was driving at night coming to a sudden fall out of nowhere it was thick put my brakes on the slowdown next thing you know I'm coming up on the tree I looked at the speedometer 45 miles an hour best to try to hit it head-on but it's going up into a hill so.
Transmission slams into gear from a start. Transmission will slip while stopped then jerk into gear and accelerate roughly. Dealer will not cover as it is intermittent.
A week after picking up the vehicle, the driver's window was making screeching sound when lowered. I took it back on july 3, 2006. The inside door panel was removed and the actuator was lubricated. Less than a week later the screeching noise came back.
The vehicle ran hot, when I went to check on it, I suffered severe burns on the upper portion of my body sending me to the hospital. A week later the vehicle did it again after the dealership claimed nothing was wrong with it.
The seat belt kit has been replaced and updated software to the radio as well. There is rust underneath the vehicle as well. All these issues were seen by us and the service dept 2 days after purchasing the vehicle. We need help!!!!! We feel the sound we are hearing is some type of electrical warning or defect.
Side windows are scratching when windows lowered and raised.
My eight year old granddaughter had cut her left leg just above the knee when entering the right rear door of the new chevrolet impala that we had just bought that same day, april 29, 2006. There is a "latch plate" located on the lower door jams of both rear doors and they are openly exposed and have very sharp edges.
The vehicle transmission would not shift into gears and the engine stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle would start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after the first incident and the fuse box panel was replaced. After the second incident the fuse box connectors were tightened.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,852 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211)?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, structure, powertrain. Total complaints: 20. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (20%), stalls while driving (10%), warning lights, check engine (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211)?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211) from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.