Chevrolet Impala problems
110 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 32,000–76,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Stories from the shop
This one is a good example of why platform-level ranking needs a footnote — and why a buyer should read past the headline.
The 3.6 V6 family is number three on our worst-platforms list — over 24,000 complaints. But that total is dragged way up by the early GM 3.6, the 2007-2011 LLT with the timing-chain stretch and direct-injection carbon mess. That’s the engine that earned the reputation.
Why the 2016 Impala is different
The 2016 Impala runs the updated LFX/LGX version of that V6, and the difference is night and day. The Impala numbers tell it: about 109 complaints in 2016 dropping to 13 by 2020, reliability climbing from 3.9 to 4.4. That’s one of the cleanest cars GM built that decade. The tenth-gen Impala is genuinely well-regarded — solid V6, a conventional six-speed automatic (not a problem transmission), roomy, cheap to run.
So the family name is on the list; this specific application is one of its best outcomes.
What to watch
- Normal maintenance; keep up with the cooling system
- General GM-era electrical minor items
- No systemic engine or transmission landmine on this one
Should you buy one?
Yes — a 2018-2020 Impala 3.6 is a low-risk, underrated used buy, and the 2016 is solid too. Buy on condition and history like any normal car. The takeaway most “GM 3.6 bad” comments miss: it’s the early engine that earned that, not this one.
On a car this sorted, the warranty calculator will usually say skip — and that honesty is the point. This is a case where the platform list and the real-world buy diverge, and a buyer deserves to know which side this falls on.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was driving on the freeway and the reduce engine power came on, my vehicle immediately start slowing down and I couldn't go over 19 MPH !! Very scary and unsafe and gm has failed to take care the problem!!
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…
Driving along a four-lane divided highway with a 50 MPH limit when without warning an oncoming vehicle turned left into me at an intersection. My estimated impact speed was 35 MPH. The airbags failed to deploy. The other car's airbags deployed. I wonder if the airbags in the…
I recently purchased this car, and the airbag warning light will not turn off. Meaning, something is wrong with the airbags.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Chevrolet Impala is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?
The 2016 Chevrolet Impala is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 32,000–76,000 mi; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 25 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 51,785 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 51,785 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Impala has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Chevrolet Impala?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 110 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.