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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.

7.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,440
Average Mileage:
75,550 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (28 reports)
  2. got the car fixed and it's still jerking (3 reports)
  3. replaced transmission (3 reports)
  4. replace torque converter (1 reports)
2006 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Aug 252022

Impala LT 3.9L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 204,000 miles

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

As I am driving and I accelerate from a stop the engine will rev up to 5,000 RPM's while moving 5 MPH then it will violently grip and move the car faster.

- Elias D., White Bear Lake, US

problem #34

Jan 152016

Impala SS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,200 miles

Dealer was informed of slipping at around 55,000 miles and they asked me if I had the fluid changed. Of course I had not thinking it was to be done at 70,000 but I was wrong and looked it up in the manual. At that time I made plans to have the fluid changed out at the dealer, seemed to help but did not resolve the issue, now the transmission is shifting very hard when you start from a stopping position. Does not do it all the time, but I know it will not be cheap to fix.

- Steven W., Tuscumbia, AL, US

problem #33

Nov 012015

Impala SS 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

I bought my 06 Impala SS with I believe 74k miles a few years back. Now at about 114k, 118k(currently), the transmission is slipping right off the line, unless I feather the gas until I get about 1/2 way through 1st. Forget taking off at a stop like a normal person and don't even try a quick takeoff. Big slip and a hard catch.

Also, after the car is nice n warm (20-25 min, it's a MN winter now) I intermittently feel the shift out of 3rd followed by a short engine rev before switching into 4th.

I took it into the shop and they said I have an inner seal that is going bad. a "common issue" with these transmissions, as he put it. "2% chance that it's not that".

Well, I have an aftermarket warranty and they are currently sending out a technician to verify the mechanics hypothesis, as it may or may not be covered.

I will update this after I find out the damages.

- Brian O., Roseville, MN, US

problem #32

May 092013

Impala SS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

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

Once again I noticed the car starting to miss around 45 miles an hour. I called the garage to schedule appointment to get the car checked out. It showed that the torque converter was going and had to be replaced again. Thank goodness it was under the warranty for the relacement parts.

- lpenrod50, Ligonier, PA, US

problem #31

Mar 012015

Impala LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Piece of sh*t transmission, no wonder these cars are so cheap. Stay away.

- Milton G., Anaheim, CA, US

problem #30

Aug 152007

Impala LT 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,488 miles

Why does most Chev Impalas that were made in the 2005-2012 years have no recalls for a slipping transmission? There are many, many owners that have to worry about their Impalas letting them down (if the trans goes out all together) and GM does nothing.

My 2006 Impala transmission slipped after I stopped for a red light back in 2007 and I did report it to the dealer. It was good until 2009 when the problem became more frequent. It was no longer under warranty for power train (imagine that). In the next years the problem became frequent and has caused me some concerns in case it goes completely when my family is in it. Here in Canada the winters are brutal with temps falling to -40F and my family must drive out of town a lot.

I had the fluid changed and filter and the shop said that the fluid was in good shape and there were no filings in the pan or filter. The transmission shop told me this was a well know fault for these Impalas. There is a bad solenoid that is in the middle of the trans that needs replacing. But again GM does not feel this is a problem.

This is a costly repair/replacement so why does GM not care? Do they not know that customer satisfaction is key to repeat buyers?

- canada, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

problem #29

Jul 252014

Impala LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 168,645 miles

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

This car is a piece of crap. Wished I had never bought it. Chevy needs to fix these problem fast.

- Rita N., Englewood, TN, US

problem #28

Jun 032013

Impala LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

When I bought my car it had 46,000 miles and ran good. It now has 76000 and every once in awhile jumps when taking off from at a stop sign. I'm thinking it's the transmission, not sure if it is, gonna be really pissed if it really is.

- Jessica M., redford, MI, US

problem #27

Jul 012011

Impala LT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

I've had my 06 impala for 2 1/2 yrs and purchased it with apprx. 113,000 miles in Dec 09. I haven't had any problems out of my car until it reached around 165,000 miles. I've had the trans drained, flushed, and replaced due to a few hard slips. Also I've gone to numerous shops and dealerships only to hear the same story of either flushing the tranny again or replacing. Just recently in Dec 11' it's been slipping after coming to a complete stop. GM has to do a better job of taking care of the people that take care of them instead of just turning the other cheek. I know I don't have a factory warranty but why keep putting the same problem in new vehicles only to have the same result of a hassle. My family supports Chevy to the fullest whether it be collector cars or everyday commuters, but I will never purchase another chevy after this headache. But I guess the company wouldn't be making any money.......#NOTTHEHEARTBEATOFAMERICA...

- mdjohnson86, Lithia Springs, GA, US

problem #26

Sep 072011

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,084 miles

So I have to drive at least 120 miles daily with my car, most of the portion is highway traveling around 80mph. My car on these drives tend to start shifting very rough when its going into second third and fourth. It sort of jumps into gear. I've had all my car friends tell me various different things it could be. My father persists on telling me my car needs a tune up. I am somewhat of a car guy myself, and driving for a few hours with the tranny acting up definitely irritates me beyond hell.

- Jordan G., Tarpon Springs, FL, US

problem #25

Aug 162011

Impala LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,037 miles

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

The transmission was slipping since I bought it in 2007. After having it repaired, they couldn't figure out the problem. It finally broke. I haven't paid off the car yet, but I have to pay so much to have it fixed.

- Luis L., San Diego, CA, US

problem #24

Jan 212011

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,532 miles

I'M SUPPOSED TO TAKE BACK THE CAR TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT FOR FREE.

- Teresa J., Buffalo, SC, US

problem #23

Jun 162010

Impala LT3 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

Transmission was slipping from the time of purchase. I took the car to the dealer and they stated that they could not find any problems. Finally after it got really bad they did replace the transmission. It was out of warrenty, but they did cover it, because I had brought it in prior and they could not locate the problem. Water pump was replaced at the same time. It cost me about 300.00 to replace both (water pump and transmission) out of warrenty.

- Katie W., Roseville, MI, US

problem #22

Dec 152010

Impala SS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,500 miles

I am a life long Chevy lover and i really like this car besides the fact i am still slower than an srt8 charger. My transmission problems are just the icing on the cake. It's been slipping for about a month now, I can't afford to fix the problem and I still have a year and a half more of payments to make....It really sucks! I love Chevy's but once I get done paying for this car and spending over $35,000 dollars in payments I feel like I have been robbed. I bought this car new and I have to say I wish I got an older model Chevy from back when they built quality cars. If Chevy doesn't step in and correct these problems there present customers have they are going to lose a lot if customers who love Chevy's but don't want to risk buying a new Chevy because the one they have sucks and they don't care....My whole family drives Chevy's and gm cars but we are not very happy with the present state of quality control and follow up for current owners who are still making payments on their cars.

- Juan B., Dinwiddie, VA, US

problem #21

Dec 202010

Impala SS V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

What I really want to know about is Daniel T and his car fire. Were there any symptoms before the car caught fire or did it just go from 0-5 quickly.

The transmission problem I mentioned is still in the resolution phase!

- Isabel E., Bridgeport, CT, US

problem #20

Dec 142010

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,524 miles

I totally agree with the other consumers complaining about transmission problems. I now have to have the transmission rebuilt or purchase another one. My car started slipping and then jerking, lets not forget to mention that the transmission fluid was leaking from the transmission line. My mother told me to check into any recalls on the transmission because I shouldn't be experiencing problems this soon. Needless to say I replaced the transmission line and my car still isn't driveable. It still has a reverse and I can drive in 2 or 3rd drive. I haven't driven the car since it broke down. I believe GM should look into these complaints regarding transmission issues with the impalas. Transmission are not cheap and fyi my warranty has expired also. I purchased my car in 2009.

- cheathemtexas, Fort Worth, TX, US

problem #19

Aug 082007

Impala LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

I PURCHASED MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA IN JUNE OF 06 AND IN AUGUST OF 07 MY TRANS STARTED SLIPPING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, WHEN I WOULD TRY TO LEAVE FROM PARK OR FROM A STOP SIGN OR A STOP LIGHT THE CAR WOULD JERK TO TAKE OFF, THERE WAS EVEN TIMES WHEN I HAD TO PICK UP SPEED TO PASS ANOTHER DRIVER MY TRANS WOULD SLIP LIKE IT WAS ON A BANANA PEEL OR SOMETHING, AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE I WAS ON A PATCH OF OIL OR SOMETHING BUT NO, IT WAS THE TRANS. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS UP LIKE 8000 MILES AGO, I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL ON DRIVE, ON FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, I EVEN TRIED GOING IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN BUDGE. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE BUYING AN IMPALA.

- Y. G., River Rouge, MI, US

problem #18

Aug 012009

Impala LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

I have had my car for almost 3 years and I have had nothing but problems with it the water pump went out now the transmission is messed up when i put it in drive it dont go I have to start off in 2nd and work my way up to drive and back down to 2nd when i am slowing down. The ac or heater dont work. windsheild fluid dont work. I am now seeping power steering fluid and according to auto works i am now leaking oil and transmission fluid but i cant find a leak anywhere ........

GM lost my business and many of my family members this is a bunch of horse sh*t for all of this to happen on a 2006 car its not even 5 years old what gives

- melindamjo, Woodbury, MN, US

problem #17

Sep 012008

Impala LT3 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

This problem has been occurring for over a year, my transmission is slipping from a stop. I would be giving it gas and it will not move, then all of a sudden take off. Dealer took it in overnight, and of course cannot replicate the problem. Not sure of what to do now since my warranty is going to expire and I'm stuck with a time bomb. I hear there are some sort of service bulletin that has come out? Or should I just prepare for the inevitable which is that this thing is going to be costing me $3 grand in a year.

- Dan C., Boston, MA, US

problem #16

Nov 242009

Impala LT 3.9L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,500 miles

Had to take Impala in again for slipping transmission. Car would rev to about 4000 RPM and slam into second...slam into third.... and slam into fourth and all the way down. This time I took it to a different dealer who could not get me in that day. So, I took them for a test drive and left it with them to look at the next day. Again, the car was fine the next AM, but the computer had stored a couple codes which the dealer removed. They said it was a very strange code to receive with the 3.9L (but was fairly common with the 3.5L). They said it was working now so there was nothing they could do for me unless it happened a third time. I was very angry (not wanting to be stuck with the bill for this when warranty ran out) but there was nothing more I could do.

- jsvideos, Omaha, NE, US

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