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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Impala cruise control problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 16 cruise control complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 16 complaints center on three main failure modes, all tied to throttle and powertrain control.
Engine power suddenly drops to limp mode, usually triggered by traction control and check engine lights illuminating together. Owners describe their speed falling from highway speeds (40–65 mph) down to near-stall (5 mph or complete stall) without warning. In one case, a driver lost all power in midtown Manhattan traffic; another was nearly T-boned when the engine quit in an intersection. The mode sometimes clears after a restart; other times it cycles every few days. One owner reports a mechanic replaced indicated parts, but the issue keeps happening.
Unintended acceleration surges occur at any speed: vehicles lunge forward 10 feet unprovoked, or accelerate hard during turns. One owner crashed into another vehicle after sudden acceleration during a left turn. Dealers have blamed transmission fluid (changed with no fix), offered accelerator panel replacement, or simply called it normal—none resolving the problem. A gear shifter wiring harness replacement also failed to stop the surging.
Throttle position sensor circuit faults are flagged by OBD scanners (circuits A and B), accompanied by sputter, traction control warnings, and slow movement under acceleration. One owner's vehicle stalled at a red light after a week of check engine warnings.
Owners consistently report dealers unable to diagnose root cause or pull actionable codes, and repairs that don't stick.
Same Chevrolet Impala cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Power Reduction / Limp Mode Activation
Vehicle enters reduced-power mode triggered by traction control and check engine lights, causing dramatic speed loss (from 40-65 mph down to 5 mph or stalling). Mode activates repeatedly, sometimes clearing on restart, sometimes persisting. Owners report the issue occurs intermittently or cycles every few days; some experience it after cold startup.
When: Varies; some complaints note cold weather (-5°F, 27°F) involvement; mileages cited range from 54,000 to 94,000
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Traction control light on or flashing; 'Engine power reduced' or 'engine power being reduced' dashboard message; Vehicle slows dramatically or stalls without owner input; RPM bouncing between 700–1100 at idle; Engine shaking severely; Chime/warning sound before power loss; Power returns after shutdown and restart, or persists
Codes mentioned: P0133 or similar throttle position sensor circuit codes (mentioned in #1), Large EVAP leak code (mentioned in #1), Generic check engine codes without specific detail (multiple owners note dealer inability to pull codes or determine root cause)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner in complaint #5 reports mechanic replaced indicated parts but problem recurs often. Owner in #7 reports no codes available and no one could identify the problem. Complaint #12 notes dealer could not determine cause and vehicle was not repaired.
Unintended Acceleration / Surging
Vehicle lurches or surges forward unexpectedly during normal driving or acceleration, or accelerates on its own without pedal input. Occurs at various speeds and makes steering difficult. One owner experienced a crash during a left turn when vehicle suddenly accelerated.
When: Complaint #8: failure at 10 miles (7,000 current mileage); Complaint #6: early in ownership; Complaint #13: approximately 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled forward lunge or surge; Vehicle accelerates without driver input; Hard to maintain steering control during surging; Head bobbing back and forth during acceleration surges; Steering wheel stiffness during events; Reverse-gear surging (10 feet in reverse, complaint #8); Crash resulting from sudden acceleration (complaint #13)
Codes mentioned: Service engine light and tire traction control light appearing concurrently (complaint #11)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #11: Dealer recommended accelerator panel assembly replacement. Complaint #9: Transmission fluid change performed with no resolution; gear shifter wiring harness replaced at local shop with failure persisting. Complaint #8: Dealer called it normal occurrence and could not determine cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #11 mentions dealer recommendation for accelerator panel assembly replacement (unclear if completed). Complaint #8: Dealer assessed and deemed normal. Complaint #9: No manufacturer contact made.
Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Fault
OBD scanner diagnostics indicate throttle body position sensor circuit A and B failures. Occurs alongside sputter, slow movement, and traction control warnings. This represents a distinct sensor malfunction that may underlie the power reduction and acceleration issues.
When: Complaint #1: failure observed after approximately one week of check engine light being on; current mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sputter and very slow movement when accelerating; Check engine light on for about one week before failure; Intermittent 'service traction control' and 'speed reduced' warnings in driver information center; Sudden occurrence at red light during acceleration
Codes mentioned: Throttle body position sensor circuit A code, Throttle body position sensor circuit B code, EVAP system large leak code (preceded sensor codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Part available for inspection per owner; independent mechanic inspected but repair status unclear.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while completing a left turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the contact lost control and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local body shop but was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 82,000.
Had cruise control trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 74,799 and 160,000 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 74,799; a quarter make it past 160,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Impala.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.