The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Impala · 2006

2006 Chevrolet Impala. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index62100 = average car
Complaints124NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold289,868U.S. model year
Per 100K sold43complaints
Year rank#6 of 20#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.5L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD18 / 28 / 22Regular$2,850
3.9L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD17 / 25 / 20Regular$3,100
5.3L 8-cylAuto 4-spdFWD16 / 26 / 19Premium$4,050

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 114,000 miles. Median 74,900, from 404 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Steering58,20033,500–96,800112
Electrical85,00054,500–102,50077
Transmission & drivetrain80,00055,900–122,80094
Engine112,50080,300–140,00048
Airbags74,00033,100–140,00031

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Steering40%
Tires14%
Electrical13%
Engine10%
Brakes9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
52458223518

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 14V355000 Jun 2014 Electrical System / Ignition

    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 caus

    Risk. 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.

  • 09E005000 Feb 2009 Steering

    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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedPower steering fluid leaks - fires20092009

Manufacturer communications 804

Chevy filed 804 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Concerns with clunk noise from front of vehicle turning maneuver / steering wheel rotation.*jb…
  • Intermittent no crank starter clicks or vehicle starts to crank then stops cranking
  • Power steering hose leak

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
NoNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
200366144267,882Brakes
200467167290,259Electrical
200581146246,481Electrical
200662124289,868Steering
200766183311,128Tires
200870184265,840Suspension
200973110165,565Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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