2016 Chevrolet Impala Owner Complaints

The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. 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. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11756028

Incident

Jul 30, 2026

Mileage

200,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal sound and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the instrument cluster displayed a blank screen. The contact attempted to shift the gear shifter, however the gear shifter failed to shift as intended. The contact stated after several attempts, the gear shifter shifted as intended. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the failure was not covered under the unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11741316

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Mileage

115,000 mi

Between 25mph and 35mph transmission will " lose " gearing and start revving when I'm stuck in traffic, causing a safety concern/risk. Have to stop the car completely and let her cool down below half operating temp for the transmission to rekick into gear. Happens Everytime after driving through cities, ATF has a slight gray tinge to it but no burning smell

NHTSA ID

11696147

Incident

Oct 25, 2025

My vin should have been included in this: N182186881-01 - Special Coverage Evaporator Core Icing, Leak Revised Warranty section I have had the issue for many years due to not receiving the notice. The car leaks, hisses, smokes and does not cool at all. I was told I must only take it to them for 250 diagnostic but they also said it was a havoc reprogramming that cost the 2,500 to fix. I have a estimate from a triple a recommended mechanic that says its the evaporator coil. My miles just hit 80,000 but its been going on for years because I haven't had the money to fix it and make payments. Chevy arbitrator states the miles are low and the dealer i bought it from, Conly in Brighton Michigan, should put my vin on the recall list. They say they don't know how/will not. The arbitrator didn't give me on digit for her call back extension. I do have proof of the car having no air at 49,000 miles when a mechanic couldn't find the issue because it was to far down in the car. I don't trust taking the car to them after being diagnosed without seeing the car. BBB auto said I exceeded milage but i wouldn't have if I would have been informed asap My vin should have been in the recall. I have the same make and type of car. Why did they exclude me? I hardly drive the car and was an essential employee . everything was closed I was in the year allowed and under the miles if I would have got the notice Please help

NHTSA ID

11639809

Incident

May 11, 2021

I was driving and entering [XXX] at [XXX] when my power steering went completely out! I was unable to steer my vehicle at all and was on a windy road with my children in the vehicle! I pulled to the side of the road! Shut my car off waited a couple minutes and turned it back on and the problem went away! This has happened twice now. My power steering is due to it being electrical and not a fluid issue. This is extremely dangerous as you are unable to steer the vehicle at all when this happens! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11627748

Incident

Nov 20, 2024

Transmission failure 2nd time in car at 101,000 miles

NHTSA ID

11627156

Incident

Nov 22, 2024

235/50R18. Went for tire rotate and balance. Was informed that 3 of the 4 tires had tread separation and recommended replacement.

NHTSA ID

11596302

Incident

Jun 21, 2024

The Side Detection System Modules are preventing the vehicle blind spot system to work correctly. and the vehicle takes 5, 10, 15 + attempts to start up.

NHTSA ID

11593751

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that he noticed that there was water leaking inside the trunk. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that water was leaking through both sides of the trunk lid. The dealer installed a gasket between the spoiler and the trunk lid. The contact stated that the failure later recurred. The contact noticed that the tire rim, the jack, and unknown areas of the trunk were rusted. The contact stated that upon performing a water leak inspection, he noticed that the passenger's side and the driver's side taillight assembly seals were leaking. The contact replaced the seals; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not help unless the vehicle was diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that both the taillights assembly seals and the sunroof grommets were leaking. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,377.

NHTSA ID

11574892

Incident

Jun 23, 2017

Mileage

5,377 mi

When my car is exposed to water (rain, a car wash) the trunk completely floods and does not drain. It has flooded so much now that my amplifier does not work. I took my vehicle to Chevy to have the known recall on this vehicle repaired but Chevy claims that they will not do anything for me. I am afraid that the car can potentially catch fire and burn my home down as I park this car in my driveway. With this being a known recall for this vehicle, can I please have this fixed immediately!!!! I have already replaced my tools that have been damaged, please just have this fixed or id likely take further steps after this. I have been going back and forth with GMC and Chevy for over 7 days now! Just recently, my car was producing sparks from the trunk area, THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!

NHTSA ID

11529940

Incident

Jun 26, 2023

Very hard to steer

NHTSA ID

11500749

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

I recently purchased this car, and the airbag warning light will not turn off. Meaning, something is wrong with the airbags.

NHTSA ID

11498112

Incident

Dec 18, 2022

side detection fault. this is an acknowledged problem by GM but they will not fix my car.

NHTSA ID

11494389

Incident

Nov 21, 2022

Radio/sound system malfunctioning; Radio/sound will intermittently turn on and off, at times sound will not work for days/weeks at a time. Radio/sound system is tied in with vehicles internal warning systems. When sound is not working, there is no audible notification of several safety conditions including: Seat belt not fastened; door open; turn signal on/off; Low fuel; service engine; Stabilitrack. There was no notification (audio or visual) prior to condition beginning. Symptoms began to appear about 2 months ago during routine highway driving. Vehicle has sustained no accidents and has had no aftermarket upgrades.

NHTSA ID

11494383

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and attempting to avoid an accident, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment. 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 cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. In addition, the contact indicated that the braking system was faulty and previously had experienced extended stopping distances and grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when pressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11485154

Incident

Sep 3, 2022

Mileage

56,000 mi

while driving a chevy impala at night you can barley see and i drove even new models it’s still the same

NHTSA ID

11469267

Incident

Jun 14, 2022

2016 Chevy Impala with 3.6L V6 has a design fault that causes failure of the evaporator core including leak of freon and inoperative Air Conditioning. Leak of freon and lack of air conditioning in 100 degree plus outside temps endangers the driver and passengers. Local auto service and local dealership both confirm failure of evaporator core. Issue has been identified by Chevy manufacturer and TSB issued N182186881 to cover repair/replacement at no cost to the vehicle owner. However, database is intentionally exclusive of VINs without cause or rationale. There is documented history of Chevy/GM declining to authorize service to affected vehicles on online forums and even at my local dealership. No warning. issue is Air Conditioning failure. upon first warm day in the spring, the AC blew hot air. This suggests legal dodging of addressing the issue by manufacturer. Manufacturer should honor their bulletin and verify all applicable 2016-2018 Impala with V6 are added to the database. Owners and potential owners must be informed of this issue that manufacturer has admitted to already.

NHTSA ID

11463524

Incident

Apr 4, 2022

For approximately 2 months, my 2016 Impala LTZ, would display a message on the small screen in front of the driver in the dash, stating for the driver to, "press ignition button again to turn vehicle off." The worst part about it was this would happen very randomly whether I would be driving in city traffic, or be sitting in a parking lot at a local store. I took it to my local Chevrolet dealership. Five different times, because they were not able to get the occurrence to duplicate for them. They replaced the ignition, as well as other suspected parts with no resolution. Resolution. Ended up costing me over $1,200. That was the first time I took it in for this issue. The other four times didn't cost me anything because they hadn't fixed the issue. Come to find out it was a wire on the body control module that had some of the insulation sheathing removed, which then in turn caused the wire to ground out on the car's frame. Just thought I would put this out there in case anybody else goes through it because it wasn't real inconvenience.

NHTSA ID

11459171

Incident

Aug 21, 2020

On Fb 08 2022, at app 5:30 in the evening my 2016 Impala had a non-driver directed surge of speed. As I was slowing down to enter a driveway, the vehicle surged forward powerfully. I was able to press the brakes forcefully engaging the antilock mechanism. The vehicle shook as I continued to apply breaking force. It came to stop barely missing another vehicle parked in the driveway. I have no explanation for this dangerous episode. I had not used any type of automatic speed control. The car is serviced by authorized dealership: Hampton Chevrolet in Hampton VA. I was in the car with two of my grandaughters when the incident occurred. I was able to drive the car back without any problem, but I'm scared to drive it.

NHTSA ID

11451148

Incident

Feb 8, 2022

I was driving down the road at night and attempted a right hand turn when my power steering quit. The warning light on the dash came on. I almost got rear ended by cars coming from behind. I called the previous owner to see if they had ever had this happen. They stated it had happened once. They said they turned off the ignition and waited about 1/2 hour then cranked the car and the problem was solved. That’s what I did and it worked. Since this is an intermittent problem the service tech could not help.

NHTSA ID

11448078

Incident

Jan 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle; however, she noticed that smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe was dark blue. The contact stated that upon arriving at her residence, her husband depressed the OnStar On Demand Diagnostic button and the failure was diagnosed as an emission system failure. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 54,922. Consumer stated fluid leaking from underneath the car and steering noise coming from the steering wheel when turning.

NHTSA ID

11444839

Incident

Dec 23, 2021

Mileage

54,922 mi

All instruments failed. After a couple restarts they came back on. Lane departure alert doesn’t work now. From a web search, I’m afraid it’s just the beginning. No, I haven’t taken it to the dealer; they charge for diagnosis. And it hasn’t been inspected. The problem doesn’t act up all the time. There are no warning lights, the system just fails. I have 50,600 miles on it. If you find what I’ve found in my web search, the cost of repair is staggering, especially for retirees. I hope you look into Chevrolet’s problem they’ve been having with the Impala.

NHTSA ID

11442909

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

I parked my car at work and worked a full day Saturday the 13th of November. I go out to start my vehicle and 3 warnings appear all at once. Stabilitrak, ABS, and power steering. Reading online I’m not the only one but with only 109,xxx miles it’s kind of BS that there’s obviously an engineering flaw with these vehicles and I probably will give a few car payments worth to get this fixed. I’ve owned this vehicle since 17,xxx miles

NHTSA ID

11440395

Incident

Nov 13, 2021

Electrical glitches and full loss of engine power wile driving. Dealer don’t know how to fix it. Very unsafe to drive

NHTSA ID

11436003

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

After starting car (and sometimes put in reverse), steering appears locked and message says to get power steering serviced. After putting back in park, power steering starts working. This happened multiple times last few weeks. Took car in to Joe Johnson Chevorlet (Troy OH) for scheduled next morning service. After 2 full days of excusses why they couldn't get to our car, we picked it up and took it to independent service shop. He test drove it and steering was fine. Got car back and next day it happened multiple times again. Took it back to independent to run code, which did not give exact problem. Drove car 1 block and power steering went out turning. Then again 1 block later. It is now parked and afraid to drive it. Chevy seems not to want to work on it and independent does not know what is wrong, said it could take him up to a week to trouble shoot entire system. He hasn't got back to me yet. HELP! Also, parking brake seems to engage by itself overnight. When starting car, sometimes it is on. We never use it. This may be related.

NHTSA ID

11430033

Incident

Aug 21, 2021