Chevrolet Impala 2006–2013
9th generation (W-body) · GM W-body (GMX211)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20266,775 complaints, 5,447 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 5,447
- Median of reported failures
- 71,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Electrical system (15.4%)
- Recalls
- 5
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,785 and 102,452 miles.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Impala 2006–2013 · 5,447 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 284 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 80 complaints (1.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 16,500
- 25%
- 40,785
- Median
- 71,000
- 75%
- 102,452
- 90%
- 140,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 284 | 5.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 120 | 2.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 108 | 2.0% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 98 | 1.8% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 127 | 2.3% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 129 | 2.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 176 | 3.2% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 215 | 3.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 282 | 5.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 214 | 3.9% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 247 | 4.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 192 | 3.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 240 | 4.4% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 209 | 3.8% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 251 | 4.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 215 | 3.9% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 237 | 4.4% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 200 | 3.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 206 | 3.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 185 | 3.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 206 | 3.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 116 | 2.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 145 | 2.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 73 | 1.3% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 131 | 2.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 102 | 1.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 114 | 2.1% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 58 | 1.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 94 | 1.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 42 | 0.8% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 70 | 1.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 50 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 55 | 1.0% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 23 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 33 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 30 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 35 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 27 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 19 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 9 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 80 | 1.5% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 6,775 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006–2013 Chevrolet Impala, and 5,447 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,785 and 102,452 miles. The median is 71,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (15.4% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles), the engine (10.8% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles), electronic stability control (esc) (8.3% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles).
5 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2006–2013 Chevrolet Impala last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2006–2013 Chevrolet Impala were filed by 71,000 miles and 90% by 140,000 miles — figures drawn from 5,447 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
80 reports (1.5%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Impala reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2006–2013 Impala: the 3-minute check
Generated from 5,447 mileage-tagged complaints, 5 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission on 2006–2011 cars. 4T65-E pressure control solenoid failure producing erratic and harsh shifting and slipping; repair requires partial transmission disassembly. Slipping is the single most reported problem on 2006-2008 cars.
- Check engine on 2006–2011 cars. 3.5L/3.9L intake manifold and coolant sealing leaks carried over from the W-body pushrod V6 family.
- Check suspension on 2006–2013 cars. Premature front strut and spring failure, and rear axle/spindle rod wear causing uneven tire wear.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 41,000 and 102,000 miles, with a median of 71,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 80,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Impala 2006–2013
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Steering557 reports58,00035,000–94,000Steering: 557 reports, median 58,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 94,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline540 reports75,00048,000–108,000Transmission and driveline: 540 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Electronic stability control (esc)562 reports78,00050,000–108,000Electronic stability control (esc): 562 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Electrical system1,042 reports80,00053,000–108,000Electrical system: 1,042 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 53,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Airbag system559 reports80,00048,000–112,000Airbag system: 559 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 112,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control459 reports83,00055,000–114,000Throttle and speed control: 459 reports, median 83,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 114,000 miles.
- Engine732 reports86,00060,000–119,000Engine: 732 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 119,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1,042 | 15.4% | 80,000 | 53,000–108,000 |
| Engine | 732 | 10.8% | 86,000 | 60,000–119,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 562 | 8.3% | 78,000 | 50,000–108,000 |
| Airbag system | 559 | 8.3% | 80,000 | 48,000–112,000 |
| Steering | 557 | 8.2% | 58,000 | 35,000–94,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 540 | 8.0% | 75,000 | 48,000–108,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 459 | 6.8% | 83,000 | 55,000–114,000 |
| Suspension | 324 | 4.8% | 48,000 | 25,000–75,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 231 | 3.4% | 80,000 | 50,000–120,000 |
| Brakes | 229 | 3.4% | 70,000 | 46,000–103,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Impala 2006–2013 · 5,447 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 40% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 65% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.5% of reports (80) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
40% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 53,000–108,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 60,000–119,000 mi
- Electronic stability control (esc) — middle half 50,000–108,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 48,000–112,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 35,000–94,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 48,000–108,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 55,000–114,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
65% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 53,000–108,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 60,000–119,000 mi
- Electronic stability control (esc) — middle half 50,000–108,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 48,000–112,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 35,000–94,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 48,000–108,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 55,000–114,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
82% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 80,000 mi
- Engine — median 86,000 mi
- Electronic stability control (esc) — median 78,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 80,000 mi
- Steering — median 58,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 75,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 83,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 71,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 15.4% of complaints (1,042 reports, 716 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,000 and 108,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 10.8% of complaints (732 reports, 637 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 119,000 miles.
Electronic stability control (esc) accounts for 8.3% of complaints (562 reports, 496 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 78,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 108,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 8.3% of complaints (559 reports, 415 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 112,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 8.2% of complaints (557 reports, 475 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 58,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 94,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.0% of complaints (540 reports, 464 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 108,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2009 model year drew the most — 1,368 complaints — while 2012 drew the fewest at 422. The median year sits at 823.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 6,775 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 480 (7.1%)
- Fires
- 100
- Injury reports
- 311
- Fatality reports
- 4
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Transmission 2006–2011
4T65-E pressure control solenoid failure producing erratic and harsh shifting and slipping; repair requires partial transmission disassembly. Slipping is the single most reported problem on 2006-2008 cars.
Engine 2006–2011
3.5L/3.9L intake manifold and coolant sealing leaks carried over from the W-body pushrod V6 family.
Suspension 2006–2013
Premature front strut and spring failure, and rear axle/spindle rod wear causing uneven tire wear.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 803 | 617 |
| 2007 | 932 | 718 |
| 2008 | 1,203 | 992 |
| 2009 | 1,368 | 1,116 |
| 2010 | 737 | 590 |
| 2011 | 844 | 694 |
| 2012 | 422 | 343 |
| 2013 | 466 | 377 |
Recalls (5) — is your car included?
Aug 2016 · 2009–2010 · Air BagsIf the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
What can happen. If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Sep 2014 · 2006–2013 · Electrical SystemIf the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash…
The 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
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Aug 2012 · 2008–2012 · SuspensionA broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
What can happen. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
Sep 2011 · 2012 · SteeringPower steering fluid could flow onto the catalytic converter, and an engine compartment fire could occur.
The defect. Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured from april 19, 2011, through july 29, 2011. The upper power steering hose may have been misrouted so that it can come in close proximity to and/or contact the catalytic converter. With the engine on, heat from the catalytic converter may melt the power steering hose.
What can happen. Power steering fluid could flow onto the catalytic converter, and an engine compartment fire could occur.
The free fix. Gm dealers will inspect to ensure that the upper power steering hose is routed correctly and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The safety recall began on september 5, 2011. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Nov 2010 · 2009–2010 · Seat BeltsThe safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the…
The defect. Gm is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet impalas for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages." The front safety belt webbing may not have been properly secured to the lap belt anchor pretensioner mounted to the side of the seat nearest the door.
What can happen. The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect both front safety belts for proper installation of the anchors to the pretensioners and, if necessary, reinstall the anchors. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 5, 2010. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or at the owner center at www.Gmownercenter.Com.
What owners reported
the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle lunges forward approximately ten feet after pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. The failure also occurred while driving 5 MPH in reverse. The dealer took the vehicle to a sales dealer and was informed that this was a normal occurrence. Most recently, the…
2006 · 10 miles · Throttle and speed control
This has occurred now four times since i bought the car the first three times were repaired under warranty. Now it has happened again. The door between the ac and the heat gets stuck on way or the other now it is stuck where you get heat on drivers side and ac on passengers and in the texas heat this is a safety…
2006 · 790 miles · Body structure
Ac blend door actuator (there are 3 of them) is insufficiently designed to hold up to normal wear and tear. The location of the switches makes maintenance nearly impossible. It would be assumed that the design would be sufficient to hold up under several years use since accessibility to these parts is very difficult.…
2006 · 800 miles · Electrical system
the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 10 MPH or stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle lunges forward 10 to 15 feet by itself. The failure occurs whenever the vehicle is driven. The vehicle performs the same way when in reverse. For the past two months, the service department at the dealer has had the…
2006 · 1,000 miles · Equipment
Built from 5,447 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page