2016 Chevrolet Impala problems
The 2016 Chevrolet Impala has 110 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Chevrolet Impala has 110 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 25 complaints, typically surfacing around 51,785 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Impala | 270 | 1 |
| 2014 Impala | 630 | 12 |
| 2015 Impala | 298 | 3 |
| 2016 Impala (this page) | 110 | 0 |
| 2017 Impala | 116 | 0 |
| 2018 Impala | 59 | 1 |
| 2019 Impala | 28 | 1 |
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Impala? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 25 owner reports · tends to show around 51,785 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 85,211 mi · ~$700 to fix
- powertrain — 15 owner reports · tends to show around 59,667 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 54,071 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 51,785 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Chevrolet Impala
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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
Your road ahead on this 2016 Chevrolet Impala
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~48,382 mielectrical~$850
- ~54,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~64,240 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~86,000 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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 should I check before buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Impala?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 25 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 51,785 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Impala a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 110 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 51,785 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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.