RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Impala Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
86
Latest Mar 4, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 524 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 86 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 86, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. In addition, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where a valve replacement was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11721945
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 19, 2021

According to my obd scanner the components that are failed is the throttle body position sensor circuit A & the throttle body position sensor circuit B. Before this happened the check engine light was on for about a week, when I scanned the vehicle with the obd-II the code for a large leak in the fuel EVAP system came up. One day while driving the vehicle I was stopped at a red light and once the light turned green I pressed the gas and the car started to sputter and move very slow also in the driver information center it intermittently showed the warnings service traction control and speed reduced. I had to pull over when safe to do so. Once I got the vehicle home I ran the scan again and it came up with the throttle body position sensor codes. The part is available for inspection. The safety of me and my passenger were in jeopardy we could've definitely been in an accident because it was so sudden when it happened. I have not taken the car to a dealer but an independent mechanic has looked at it. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than me and an independent mechanic. This was a very scary experience and I have seen many forums with the same issues from GM cars. Your attention is needed and appreciated.

NHTSA ID
11429684
Incident
Aug 7, 2021
Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2021

AS MANY OTHER 5.3 LITER GM VEHICLES DURING THIS PERIOD, MY CAR HAS BEEN BURNING OIL, FOULING SPARK PLUGS, AND THROWING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS FOR MANY YEARS DUE TO THIS ALL-TOO COMMON ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND ALL GM VEHICLES WITH THIS MOTOR ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED. IT POSES A SERIOUS HAZARD WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO PULL OUT INTO THE ROAD AND THE CAR SPUTTERS AND MISFIRES AND YOU HAVE NO POWER BECAUSE OIL IS SEAPING PAST THE RINGS.

NHTSA ID
11387633
Incident
Jan 12, 2021
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 6, 2020
Fire reported1 injury reported

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE PROBLEMS OF NOT GIVING ME CORRECT READINGS FROM THE GAUGES WHEN MY CAR WAS RUNNING HOT IT NEVER DISPLAYED ANY INDICATION THAT IT WAS WHICH CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE IN MY CAR THROWING A ROD I ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCE AND STILL DO WHEN I TURN ON MY SIGNALS MY BRIGHT LIGHTS COME ON AS WELL AS SOMETIMES WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR THE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON BUT WHEN I CLOSE THE DOOR THEY DO MY MOTOR MOUNTS ON MY CAR ARE NOT STABLE THIS WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME IT SHIFTED NOW NOT FROM WEAR AND TEAR BECAUSE I HAD AN INSPECTION DONE ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVED A CLEAN BILL OF IMMACULATE CARE AND HEALTH OF THE VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 8 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN IN NOTHING BUT ONE DISASTER AFTER THE NEXT I'M FEELING VERY UNSAFE AND UNSURE OF THIS VEHICLE IT SEEMS AS IF IT'S MOVING FASTER THAN WHAT IS ON THE SPEEDOMETER BECAUSE I HAVE OFTEN HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY FASHION JUST TO STOP I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL I CAN FORWARD THE BILLS OF THE SAID REPAIRS SO THAT IT WAS SUPPORT MY CLAIM I DO NOT HAVE THEM WITH ME AT THIS TIME BUT MY EMAIL IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11363017
Incident
Apr 15, 2020
Mileage
148,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2020

AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL WOULDN'T GO PASS 45-50 MILES PER HOUR. I WENT TO A AUTOMOTIVE SHOP JUST TO FIND OUT THE CATALYST CONVERTER IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHY DRIVING IN THE CAR STALLS.

NHTSA ID
11348888
Incident
Aug 4, 2020
Mileage
197,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 24, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED ON WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA ID
11341353
Incident
May 29, 2020
Mileage
149,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS FAILED TO PROPERLY CHANGE OVER IN DRIVE TO ACCELERATE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DECELERATED AND JERKED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS ALSO A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL PRESSURE SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN AND WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID
11195877
Incident
Mar 29, 2019
Mileage
129,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 18, 2019

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS MAKING CAR FALL DEAD WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS

NHTSA ID
11189681
Incident
Mar 15, 2019
Mileage
22 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (HERITAGE CHEVROLET BUICK OWINGS MILLS, 11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117, (866) 730-3826) REPAIRED THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. AFTERWARDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TT PROBLEM RESOLVED BY DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ID
11160818
Incident
Jun 4, 2018
Mileage
64,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2018

2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID
11156308
Incident
Dec 10, 2018
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 24, 2018

I WOULD LIKE IT DOCUMENTED THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED ALL DUE TO A KNOWN AND REPORTED ISSUED UNLESS CHEVY DOES THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUES A RECALL IMMEDIATELY! I HAVE A 2006 IMPALA AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TO 15 MPH SAYING REDUCED ENGINE POWER THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE NOTE MY 2 YEAR OLD SON, AND 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT BEING HIT MUCH LESS KILLED BUT OTHER PEOPLE NOT MAY BE SO FORTUNATE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED?

NHTSA ID
11064723
Incident
Dec 12, 2017
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 15, 2017

CAR FIRED A MESSAGE STATING "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND BEING MOVED FROM STREET INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN MESSAGE WAS PROMPTED

NHTSA ID
11046203
Incident
Jul 4, 2017
Mileage
132,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2017

OIL PRESSURE SENSOR COMES ON AND STATES THE FOLLOWING: OIL PRESSURE LOW, STOP ENGINE. THIS MESSAGE FLASHES AND A BEEPING NOISE COMES ON. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION HIGHWAY, STREET, TURNING, ETC... EVEN AFTER OIL CHANGES AND CHECKING OIL LEVEL IS GOOD THE ABOVE STILL COMES ON.

NHTSA ID
11018893
Incident
Aug 5, 2017
Mileage
134,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 15, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TWO MUFFLERS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLEW UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10985835
Incident
Mar 9, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 21, 2017

I HAVE A 2006 IMPALA WHILE I'M DRIVING THIS CAR IT GOES INTO REDUCE ENGINE MODE AND CUT OFF AND GO TO DISABLE START MODE AND WONT RESTART UNTIL AFTER 30 MIN I BE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENS SOMETIME I'M AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE THIS CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS DEATH OR INJURED THIS MATTER NEED TO BE INVESTIGATE ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE DIED OR SERIOUS INJURED I HATE TO BE INFRONT OF A 18 WHERLER WHEN THIS HAPPEN

NHTSA ID
10979824
Incident
Apr 6, 2017
Mileage
182,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 25, 2017

WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN REDUCED POWER SO THAT I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 5 MILES IN TRAFFIC. CAR THEN STOPPED AND THERE WAS NO POWER AT ALL. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURNED THE CAR OFF WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED AND ONLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ALMOST AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN SO THAT THERE WAS ONLY BLARING HORNS WHEN I COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR. MY MECHANIC SAID I NEED TO BRING THE CAR IN WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON SO THAT HE CAN READ THE ERROR MESSAGES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T GIVE HIM ENOUGH INFORMATION. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN SINCE AS I'M AFRAID BUT WILL DRIVE LOCALLY AND BRING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AS SOON AS THOSE LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE BUT NOT WHEN I COULD BRING IT TO THE MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10947514
Incident
Jan 22, 2017
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2016

I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS CAUSED NOTHING BUT AN ISSUE. I ALWAYS GET AN "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" OR SOMETIMES EVEN "STARTING DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE." THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE FROM 1-100 TIMES A DAY WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS, TURNING, YOU NAME IT AND IT HAS HAPPENED. IT IS BECOMING A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE AS IT WILL DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND I FEAR THAT I WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE RAN THE CODES AND REPLACED EVERY PART IN THE CAR THAT DEALERSHIPS HAVE TOLD ME TO REPLACE BUT IT STILL KEEPS HAPPENING. I HAVE DONE A TON OF RESEARCH ON WHAT COULD BE WRONG AND IT NOT ONLY SEEMS LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT THE THINGS THEY REPLACED IN THEIR CARS FIXED THE ISSUE BUT MINE SEEMS TO NOT EVER BE ABLE TO BE FIXED. THIS HAS BECOME A DANGEROUS THING, AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE MIDDLE OF SNOW STORMS ON ICY HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ID
10893759
Incident
Jan 18, 2016
Mileage
128,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 13, 2016

ONGOING ISSUE WITH ERROR MESSAGE RELATING TO "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" APPEARED 4/10/2016. ONGOING HISTORY AND SERVICE RELATED TO THROTTLE POSITION AND SENSOR (ALSO SERVICED) CODES P2176; P 2135. 8/1/15 I HAVE ADDRESSED THROUGH REPLACING OF THROTTLE POSITION AND SENSOR; BATTERY CABLE (DEALERSHIP SVC DEPT SUGGESTED LOW VOLTAGE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE - RETESTED, ISSUE CONTINUES) PARTS STORE HAS SUGGESTED "THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL MODULE P 1516' CODES ALSO INCLUDE P0121, PO2135, P2119 FOUND PMC TO BE FAULTY -- "REPAIR AND REPLACED" 12/30/2014; THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED ON APRIL 5, 2014. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR TWO YEARS. ENGINE POWER DROPS AND CAR WILL ONLY DRIVE AT A LOW SPEED < 40MPH. THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. VARIOUS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AT APX 140K MILES AND HAS REOCCURRED AT 166L, 167K, 180K, 193K. SPEEDS THAT IT HAS OCCURRED HAS BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60-65MPG TO RESIDENTIAL 25-35MPH. RECORDS HAVE SERVICES DATES ARE AVAILABLE; TOO MANY TO UPLOAD ALL.

NHTSA ID
10855389
Incident
Apr 10, 2016
Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2016

OIL LEAK.

NHTSA ID
10840293
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
114,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 15, 2016

DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE AND ENGINE SLOWED DOWN SUDDENLY ,,,REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE CAME ON

NHTSA ID
10836243
Incident
Feb 12, 2016
Mileage
191,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 11 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER" AND 'SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY' WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID
10819481
Incident
Dec 1, 2015
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE AND "POWER DOWN LOW" WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID
10816975
Incident
Dec 28, 2015
Mileage
111,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 22, 2015

MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA FREQUENTLY HAS "REDUCED POWER ENGINE" "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". WE HAVE REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR, REPLACED COMPUTER IN STEERING COLUMN, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. GOING ON 2 YRS LIKE THIS. MY SISTER JUST RECEIVED A RECALL ON HER 2011 IMPALA ABOUT "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". I CALLED CHEVY DEALER AND MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. IN WHICH IM HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *BF

NHTSA ID
10811755
Incident
Apr 12, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
EngineInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Nov 12, 2015

1) CAR IS HARD TO TURN STATIONARY & WHILE TURNING, STEERING KNUCKLES--2) POWER STEERING WHINING & JUST STARTED LOSING FLUID,--3) DRIVERS SEAT STOPPED BEING ABLE TO ADJUST TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS--4) OIL LEAK ON ENGINE--5) PAINT ON TRUNK & SURROUNDING AREA IS IS FLAKING OFF.

NHTSA ID
10790009
Incident
Oct 18, 2015
AirbagsEngineSeat belts
Filed Oct 6, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A DEER, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LATCH AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER THE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
10780120
Incident
Oct 2, 2015
Mileage
136,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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