RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Impala Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
83
Latest May 10, 2025
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.
2

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 83 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 powertrain

The 25 most recent of 83, in the owner's own words

Exterior lightingOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2025

First battery needed replaced every year then few weeks ago with no warning light or messages that battery was dieing the battery died again it was replaced then it started reving up and down on its own while driving so it goes faster then slower on its own when it feels like it.. TPS wont show tire pressure cant relearn tire positions now dash lights works usually then don't bright lights don't work now if automatic light control is on car shakes bad while breaking idles hard uses ALOT of gas now massive amount of heat coming off engine now with no dash light or guage saying temp is going up engine smells kind of bad after driving the car replaced transmission once couple years ago transmission maybe going out again the gear shift locks don't work it slips out of gear and into another gear effortlessly while driving and while parked without pressing the button to move the gear shift clicking or tapping noise started coming from front end only when turning left now does it while.turning and sometimes while.going straight and it's all still happening... theres more but not going into all of it now. DTC code listed 2days ago was listed as: B1000-00 Electronic Control Unit. Searched Google for code and got posts saying ECU needs replaced..updated or reprogrammed and some say BCU needs replaced..upgraded or reprogrammed. Each time I search the code I get a different reason for the code and different meaning. I have a 2006 Chevy Impala SS 5.3L V8 with police package. Car is available for inspection anytime.

NHTSA ID
11660121
Incident
Apr 28, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 5, 2024

While I was driving I had to stop on a hill and when I pushed the gas to accelerate it wouldn’t move the engine just revved up and hasn’t moved since just when you push on the gas and the rpm’s go up to 5-6 and it will move maybe a foot or so. There was no warning or messages that appeared before this happened and even now after it’s happens and it’s not showing any code to what’s wrong with it. It affected my safety and others because it wouldn’t move while in the middle of the road and I could have got in to a serious car accident because of it.

NHTSA ID
11623738
Incident
Oct 28, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2020
Crash reportedFire reported

IN MY 006 IMPALA SS THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP. THE CAR IS AROUND 83,000 MILES WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THIS ISSUE, AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T DOING ANY HARD ACCELERATION (AROUND 20-25 MILES AN HOUR SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR). I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11355686
Incident
Sep 17, 2020
Mileage
83,000 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 7, 2019

3RD TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IN LESS THAN 150,000 MILES

NHTSA ID
11229881
Incident
Feb 8, 2019
Mileage
148,000 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
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2018
Crash reported

IT JUST BEEN A LIKE A REAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEM LIKE IF I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC IS STALLED IT HESITATE IT HAS BEEN HIT A FEW TIMES LIKE THAT AND LIKE IT JUST HAVE TO GET A JUMP OFF EVERY MORNING AND EVERY EVENING JUST TO GO ANYWHERE AND I TRULY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I'M TAKING BACK TO THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM ME AT LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT AND I'M TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAY IT'S ELECTRICAL DEFECT IT IT'S GOING TO KILL THE WHOLE CAR AND IT'S GOING TO EVENTUALLY KILL ME

NHTSA ID
11131097
Incident
Apr 4, 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
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jan 15, 2018

TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME WITH 140009 MILES ON 2006 IMPALA SS

NHTSA ID
11062762
Incident
Jan 11, 2018
Mileage
140,009 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
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
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Dec 9, 2016

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING GEARS ON TAKE OFF, WHEELS SOUND LIKE BEARINGS ARE GOING OUT, LIKE A GRINDING NOISE. CHANGED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TOGETHER DUE TO WHEEL WOBBLE AND BRAKE SENSORS ON DISPLAY. CONSTANTLY DISPLAYING "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" ON MESSAGE BOARD. DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS ANY FAILURES OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE NOW IS IMMOBILIZED, AND WILL NOT GO INTO A FORWARD MOVEMENT ONLY A REVERSE DRIVE. WHEELS ARE LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE IS STRANDED! STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS USED PURCHASE. PLEASE ADVISE!!!

NHTSA ID
10934016
Incident
Dec 8, 2016
Mileage
128,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 25, 2016
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR EARLIER TODAY IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING NOISE. SO I CHECK IT IT WAS EMPTY I FILLED IT UP WITH POWER STEERING FOULED.COME TO FIND OUT ITS A LEAK AGAIN. FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THAT THE LIGHTS BEEN FLICKERING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS THE CHECK BATTERY SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. THEN ONE DAY IT CUT OFF ON ME IN TRAFFIC. WHILE DRIVING .THEN AFTER A WHILE I GOT A JUMP BUT THE CAR DIDN'T STAY RUNNING ON ITS ON AFTER THE FIFTH TRY IT STAYED RUNNING.I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME NOW EVERY OTHER WEEK SO. I HAVE TO MESSING WITH CABLE CORD ON THE BATTERY TO GET THE CAR TO START. JUST SO HAPPENED TODAY MY ALTERNATOR. WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT ALL THE WIRING OFF THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY JUST TO STOP THE FIRE FROM BURNING .

NHTSA ID
10927784
Incident
Nov 24, 2016
Mileage
174,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2016

TRANSMISSION FAILURE NUMBER 3. CARS CURRENT MILEAGE IS 129,537. 2006 IMPALA SS 5.3 LITRE LS4. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 54K MILES, 96K MILES, AND AGAIN NOW AT JUST SHORT OF 130K MILES. THIS IS [XXX] AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE'S THOUSANDS OF POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE IMPALA SS/GRAND PRIX GXP FROM 2006-2009 WITH THE LS4 5.3 V8 AND 4T65E-HD TRANSMISSION COMBO. THE OEM HORSE POWER OF THE ENGINE IS 303 SAE HP. THE 3T65E TRANSMISSION IS ONLY RATED FOR 260 HP. THOUSANDS OF FAILURES AND PEOPLE STRANDED ACROSS THE US WITH THESE CARS. WHEN WILL SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10924972
Incident
Oct 30, 2016
Mileage
129,537 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2016

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT WHILE IN OVERDRIVE. 2ND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT ON THIS VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10924966
Incident
Apr 3, 2014
Mileage
94,650 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2016

TRANSMISSION FAILURE LOST 4TH GEAR OVERDRIVE WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLES RPMS REV LIKE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL. CAUSING ME TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE WITH PASSING TRAFFIC AT 75 MPH.

NHTSA ID
10924958
Incident
Oct 30, 2016
Mileage
129,537 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT GREASEF THE SHIFT CABLE AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID
10892151
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
Mileage
87,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 28, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10881241
Incident
Jun 28, 2016
Mileage
122,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 3, 2016

SLIPPING FROM DEAD STOP TO ACCELERATION. THEN IT JERKS FORWARD DOES THIS COUPLE TIMES A MONTH.

NHTSA ID
10862688
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2016

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 IMPALA CAR AS A DAILY DRIVING CAR. DROVE GREAT, NO SHIFTING ISSUES OR TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I STARTED THE CAR UP ONE MORNING AND CAR DID NOT MOVE. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGING, BUT DOESN'T MOVE. IIT ACTS LIKE CAR IS NOT IN ANY DRIVE GEAR EVEN AFTER PUTTING CAR INTO A GEAR, LIKE REVERSE OR DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
10860413
Incident
Apr 6, 2016
Mileage
149,000 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10808775
Incident
Jan 20, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 23, 2015

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY CUT OFF WITH AN "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" SIGN AND THE CAR ULTIMATELY SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE CAR WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. IT HAD TO BE TOWED HOME AND THEN TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN FRANKFORT, IL. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DEPICT THE PROBLEM AND HELD MY CAR FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT MAY BE SOMETHING INTERMITTENT BUT FAILED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP RELEASED MY CAR TO ME AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED RETURNED THE NEXT DAY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY OUT OF COMMISSION.

NHTSA ID
10767592
Incident
Aug 6, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2015

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA SKIPS, IT STARTED SKIPPING AT 130,000 MILES. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION AND THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN I PRESS THE GAS AND THE ENGINE TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO REACT, IT HAS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS CAUSED ME TO GET IN SEVERAL CLOSE COLLISIONS. ALSO WHEN I START THE CAR AND TRY TO BACK UP FROM MY CAR SPACE THE SAME THING HAPPENS I PRESS THE GAS TO BACK UP THE ENGINE TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO CATCH AND THEN DANGEROUSLY JERKS IN REVERSE

NHTSA ID
10763351
Incident
May 20, 2015
Mileage
130,100 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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