2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211) problems & reliability
20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211), alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 30% |
| Structure | 4 | 20% |
| Power Train | 3 | 15% |
| Visibility | 3 | 15% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 10% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 10% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 10% |
| Air Bags | 1 | 5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 5% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 12 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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. To the right side of the bumper passenger side put a chain…”
Seat Belts · filed Jan 15, 2020
“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. *tr”
Power Train · filed Aug 8, 2012
“I purchased a 2006 impala gt in january. Around august 3, 2006, my fob key stopped working. I called the dealer and set an appointment for sat. Aug 5. They fixed my key and as I was leaving an employee informed me that she had to get her key fixed approx. 6 times. Monday, august 7, 2006 as I was walking to my car I…”
Electrical System · filed Aug 14, 2006
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS - FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE09025 · opened May 13, 2009 · closed Oct 2, 2009
Technical service bulletins
151 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211). The 10 most recent:
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe…
PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 2024
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
02-00-89-002X · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2024
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized…
PIT3271P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 6, 2024
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to…
General Communication · Service Campaign · issued Aug 26, 2024
This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
18-NA-073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 19, 2024
This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
01-06-01-011P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 5, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211) has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2006 Chevrolet Impala (GMX 211)?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.