AI Damage2016 Chevrolet Impala: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Impala filed 111 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 919 service bulletins for this year. We found 6 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 111
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 919
- YouTube repair videos
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 19% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 30 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 182.
- Engine: 21 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 98.
- Powertrain: 16 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 62.
- Steering: 16 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Air bags: 16 complaints (14% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 111 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 | 30 | 1 | 182 |
| Engine | 21 | 1 | 98 |
| Powertrain | 16 | 2 | 62 |
| Steering | 16 | 0 | 23 |
| Air bags | 16 | 3 | 7 |
| Electronic stability control | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3 | 23 |
| Structure | 7 | 2 | 34 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 1 | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 29 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. During the crash, the contact sustained left wrist, left shoulder, and neck injuries. No medical treatment was provided. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away.
The driver of 2016 impala was a passenger in tahoe this past weekend and during a rough stop the passenger indicated "that's what my car sounded like when brakes didn't work." I've reported the issue to insurance copy asking they thoroughly inspect the vehicle and also reported to manufacturer.
The check engine light keeps turning on. And the car has trouble shifting. I took it to get it checked out and they informed me that it has to do something with the transmission and that multiple people are having this problem with the same type of vehicle.
2016 chevrolet impala. Consumer writes in regards to malfunction of tires. The consumer stated that the tires were the cause of the accident. The tire manufacturer did not accept responsibility but, stated the tire damage was due to the accident itself.
With plenty of room to stop the brakes failed to stop my vehicle before I collided into the vehicle in front of me. The airbags didn't deploy. The damage to my front end is estimated over $6000 to repair. The other vehicle only got a scratch on the bumper.
The airbags failed to deploy. The other car's airbags deployed. I wonder if the airbags in the chevrolet were even installed. It makes no sense to me why they did not deploy.
The car was stopped and I removed my safety belt and lowered the window. I put the car in reverse and depressed the accelerator to proceed into the lined parking spot. The car proceeded at a high rate of speed into a concrete wall.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and turning into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power and there was black smoke coming from the right side of the engine compartment. The contact then parked the vehicle and opened the hood, and there were flames coming from the engine compartment.
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 532 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Impala has 66 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 111, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police…
This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police and Special Service Vehicles.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 919 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Chevy Impala limited edition thermostat & thermostat housing replace.#chevyimpala #thermostatamount per author: 400 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Good Car or Bad Car? Honest Look at a 2016 Chevy Impala
- copart rebuild 2016 impala LTZ FLOOD car part 1
- Wrecked 2016 Chevrolet Impala, Time for a rebuild!
- Replacing Brake Booster on 2008-2016 Chevy Impala #automobile #brakebooster #brakerepair
- Quick tip fix a/c in a 2016 Chevy impala #automobile #diy #rams_world3 #chevyimpala
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 111. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), steering or power steering problems (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA lists 919 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 2016 Chevrolet Impala 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 2016 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 2026-11-04.