Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: Top complaints for the 2006 Chevy Impala include how the transmission slips, clunks and fails. Or how the power steering knocks and squeals. In other words, this car is a noisy bucket of eventual failure points.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,340
Average Mileage:
101,650 miles
Total Complaints:
29 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replacement (12 reports)
  2. not sure (11 reports)
  3. rebuild transmission (3 reports)
  4. having extended warranty (1 reports)
  5. junk the car (1 reports)
  6. repaired transmission (1 reports)
2006 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Apr 212019

Impala LS 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased this vehicle from Advantage Auto Sales Bradley, IL. 04-03-2019 to get to work. Transmission problem. I can't shift gears. Luckily it is in front of my house.

- Cynthia R., Bourbonnais, IL, US

problem #28

May 042017

Impala SS V- 8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 187,000 miles

I have A 2006 chevy impala ss with the V- 8 engine and I am now on my 3rd transmission. my first problem occurred around 83,000 miles and left me stranded in south Carolina. It happen 20,000 miles after flushing it. I brought a brand new one from the dealer at $2889.00 dollars. My second time it went out a month of my 3 year warranty with 62,000 miles into the tranny. I flushed it and 10,000 later failure. I brought another 1 from the dealer at a discounted price of $2,195.00. A year and half into this transmission and 40,000 miles failure again, leaving me stranded again on A 7 mile brigde @ 3 a.m.. it was replaced under warranty, I am so afraid to travel in this vehicle.

- Jatavi L., Miami, US

problem #27

Nov 012015

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Transmission failed - needed to be totally replaced. This car is a hunk of junk. I will never buy another Chevy EVER.

- Barbara M., Summerfield, US

problem #26

Jun 012017

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had brand new transmission installed in November of 2015 and now car won't go into Drive or 3. It goes into reverse and second. Got stock in the middle of an intersection. This car is the biggest piece of crap every. Do NOT buy a Chevy.

- Barbara M., Summerfield, US

problem #25

Oct 012015

Impala SS 5.3ltr

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

I first bought the 2006 Impala SS in March of 2014, the day after I bought the car the transmission went out. They overhauled the transmission instead of replacing the transmission. A month later the reverse band went out and they had to do the transmission again. Now 20k miles later the transmission is slipping again.

This time out of and warranty, I had to get a NEW Reman Trans from my local dealer and had it installed. 48 hours after I got the car back (3 year 100k warranty) the unit proceeded to clunk on take off. The car did not throw any codes or anything, the car would rev then clunk into gear. Took it back to the shop that installed it and they said it is probably the valve body not releasing pressure quick enough to go to first gear, so it jams in gear.

Next we called the GM dealer I got the trans from and told them the issue. They had me drop it off to them, pending what they find they might just replace the valve body. Even though the trans is less then a week installed in the car.

This is getting really bad and seeing how I love GM, I keep defending the car, but after this I might be over General Motors.

- Michael P., Atascadero, CA, US

problem #24

Jun 302009

Impala SS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I've always owned and loved Impalas... until I bought a brand new, one of the first off the line, Impala SS 2006.

I love driving this car. I love the interior of this car. I love the exterior styling of this car. I love the interior design of this car. I love the way this car handles. I love the power of this car. I love the ride of this car. I love the quietness of this car. Those are the pros. Now for the cons.

This car self destructs... for no reason... I HATE IT!!! I will NEVER purchase another American car, EVER AGAIN!! NEVER! EVER!! But, oh, wait. I couldn't buy and 'American' made car even if I wanted to. They don't exist any more!

But, I digress.

I love and hate this car, but at this point I hate it more. Let me explain. I own a mint 65' GTO, and a mint 80' Malibu Landau Coupe. I treat my cars like family. I baby them. I rarely rev the engines up. I never do stupid things like burnouts, donuts, drag race... I was so excited when the brought the Impala SS back with a V8, and wanted to have one for my collection. What a mistake!!

Let me list a few of the parts that just broke, for no reason, for no purpose, they just... broke. Effing BROKE!

In the first to years of babying this car I had to replace... The 6CD stereo, the water pump, the power steering hoses, the timing belt, the timing belt tension arm, the timing belt idler pulley, the plug wires, a cylinder coil, a second cylinder coil, the AC condenser core, the AC compressor, the driver window rail, the front passenger seat motor, the passenger climate control motor, the driver climate control motor, the climate air door motor, the radiator, the passenger wheel bearing and hub, the driver's wheel bearing and hub, a remote control, the extended range remote stopped working at an extended range and now I have to be within 20-30 feet of the car for it to work, the starter motor, power steering pump, the gas tank pressure check valve, the charcoal canister check valve, a second charcoal canister check valve, a third charcoal canister check valve, a gas cap, the power steering down linkage, 2 speedometer dash lights, a power mirror, a door lock power cylinder, and the transmission($3,200)!!! I'm sure I missed some items! And now, the replacement transmission is slipping too!!!

Aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR!!!!!! Screw them.

I purchased a 2012 Suzuki SX4 Crossover and have yet, to this day, to have a problem with it!! None!!

- Jean S., Greensburg, US

problem #23

Sep 012012

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

First time the trans went was at 70k miles. Went to the dealer and they said it wasn't under warranty and that I would have to repair it myself. Went to a local transmission shop that is extremely reliable and has fixed trans problems on my family's cars for over 50 years.

- nlftw973, Oak Ridge, NJ, US

problem #22

Oct 172015

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,000 miles

This is the THIRD TIME this transmission has failed on me. I cannot believe that Chevy hasn't recalled this car. This car is a complete lemon and I will be taking Chevy to court over this. A transmission should not fail THREE times in 6 years of owning it. So to anyone that reads this get rid of this car and I will not buy a Chevy ever again or even accept a free one if offered.

- nlftw973, Oak Ridge, NJ, US

problem #21

May 022015

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

This was the second transmission problem with this car. Was driving on a highway stopped at a light and then the car wouldn't go into gear. Had a valve and a bracket break and had to be repaired at the reputable shop near my home. Chevy should recall this transmission and refund the money on repairs because it has happened to many people and sooner or later it is going get someone killed.

- nlftw973, Oak Ridge, NJ, US

problem #20

Jul 182015

Impala 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

I have only had my 06 for 1 year, but a couple of months ago I noticed the transmission slipping. I brought it to a mechanic so he changed the transmission pan and filter, but warned that he was not sure it would fix the problem as he could tell that the transmission had all ready been worked on prior to me purchasing. When I had asked the car dealer when I bought it of course they said nothing major had been wrong with it.

Well that helped for a couple months, then a couple of weeks ago I started hearing a noise coming from the tires, brought back to mechanic. Needed two new tie rod ends, a cv axle and lower control arm replaced. Still didn't fix the sound, so I scheduled yet another apt with the mechanic. Before my appointment, I started to hear a knocking sound in the engine, my mechanic got me in ASAP. After looking over my car for 2 or 3 hours he came back and told me that the engine and transmission was shot, said I could pay 1000's to rebuild the engine and transmission but he highly recommended I "dump" it off on to a dealership and get rid of the car ASAP. cuz to spend that kind of money on a rebuild and then no guarantee it would be right again and would be a huge waste of money.

I have had this mechanic for several years and he has always be very fair and never charged me for things that didn't need fixing. He said he went over everything and was hoping he could save the car but he said the motor it self was soaked in fluid leaking from the transmission, and the knocking was coming from inside the motor, which was not good. Very upset that I only had the car for a year

- Cindy G., Port Orange, FL, US

problem #19

Jun 142015

Impala SS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I started to notice that around 45 my car started to miss again. I pulled out of a driveway and went about 250 feet and I heard my car make a funny noise. It started to loose power and I pulled off the road. It went back into gear and I started home with it. When I got closer home it lost power again and I puller over. I shut the car off thinking maybe it might run better when it was restarted. I restarted it and it did the same thing. It wouldn't go in D or L3 but would go in L2 and in reverse.

I got home and made arrangements for our Chevy dealer to check it. I was informed by them that the repair would probably be around $3,000. Since I don't have that kind of money I contacted Chevy to see if there was any kind of assistance they could help me with. I was informed after 3 days that they couldn't do anything for me. I then had it towed to AAMCO to see what they could do with the car. It said the most without looking at it yet would be be around $2,400. I called Chevy back again to let them know that I found this page and there are lots of issues with this particular car and they should have had a recall on this transmission. I have always purchased Chevys but will not buy another one if the future.

- lpenrod50, Ligonier, PA, US

problem #18

Jun 162009

Impala SS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

My transmission went completely out after the warranty. I asked if there was a problem with this model and they said there wasn't an issue. We have always had Chevy's and never had an issue with our cars. We have always put over 100,000 miles on each of them. I called Chevrolet customer service and they actually offered to pay 1/2 of the repair. It came down to me paying $1,283.73.

- lpenrod50, Ligonier, PA, US

problem #17

Apr 212015

Impala SS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

Just payed it off last month and took my grand-kids to Disney in Florida. They were in the car with my daughter on the way back "THANK GOD". First the car started to miss, then the trans slipped, then want all the way out. Just making it home. 92000 miles and falling apart, not what I payed for. A recall should be done due to all the transmissions that have had the same problems.

- Jimmie Y., piqua, OH, US

problem #16

Mar 302015

Impala SS V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,200 miles

Bought car, had 2 weeks, transmission failure, no warranty. Enfield Ford would do nothing to help. Transmission was probably not working right when I bought it.

- latrain123, Enfield, CT, US

problem #15

Sep 242013

Impala Police Package 3.9L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 169,000 miles

Driving home with a couple of my friends and get stuck at stop sign. I pressed the accelerator and no movement. Figured it was the transmission since its the same exact tranny used in my old 2001 Impala which Chevy has never changed their weak trannies.

- mabx13, Bronx, NY, US

problem #14

Aug 272011

Impala LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I own a 2006 Impala which I purchased in 3/2007 with 20,000 miles on it. After around 50, 000 miles I had to repair it because it was running HOT. Thankful that I haven't had any other problems with that. After reaching about 65-70,000 miles my trans started to slip. I got a rebuilt trans and the problem continues.

I'm so frustrated! GM needs to own up to their problems and keep their customers satisfied. Its not coincidental that its over 100 complaints of the same issues. It is a manufacture defect. And I want to be compensated!

- Aneidra K., University Park, IL, US

problem #13

Apr 042013

Impala LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

this car was purchased used by me at 52,000 miles and the trans has been a problem from day one along with electrical problems, drive axle , key switch key fob . gm has basically told me it s my problem for buying a used car but I told them I bought a used gm car what a piece of sh*t would never buy one again to bad because my other 2 gm cars have 206,000 miles and 300.000 respectively gm needs to get back to quality

- Ray S., Wisconsin Rapids, WI, US

problem #12

Feb 202012

Impala V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

i have an 2006 impala i was driving and the car wasn't moving the same as before. then one day it just stopped moving and the it wouldn't go in reverse or drive. take it to the shop, it was the transmission that went and had to be replaced. it cost 1800 for a new one.

- kkathy, Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #11

Apr 142012

Impala LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

i have an 06 imp and my transmission went at 107000 miles it cost me 2180.00 to get this fixed. i ve seen on many diffrent web sites that im not the only one with this problem and im wondering why chevy hasnt issued a recall on yhis so we can reclaim our money back that i had to put out for this problem. i think it is crazy to hit 100000 miles and then have problems like this.

- Michelle W., Bristol, PA, US

problem #10

Jan 212012

Impala LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,423 miles

Made it home safely from Dallas noticed a slight jerk while driving, thought maybe I had some bad gas. Got ready to go to the store and drove out the driveway about 2 miles down the road I notice the engine racing and not kicking into gear properly so I decide to turn around and go back home. That's when the transmission just quit working completely no reverse, drive NOTHING!!!!!!! I have no warranty on my car any longer and I just started a new job and no help from GM........What a major disappointment.

- Regina D., Haskell, TX, US

Read the next 9 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?