Total Complaints
176 filings
CHEVROLET IMPALA · model year
176 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2016CHEVROLETIMPALA carries 176 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 7 fires, 19 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 IMPALA is electrical system with 30 filings, followed by unknown or other (22) and engine (20). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2016 IMPALA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
176 filings
Crashes Reported
15 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 30 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 22 |
| ENGINE | 20 |
| AIR BAGS | 16 |
| STEERING | 16 |
| POWER TRAIN | 15 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 8 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 6 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| TIRES | 2 |
Between 25mph and 35mph transmission will " lose " gearing and start revving when I'm stuck in traffic, causing a safety concern/risk. Have to stop the car completely and let her cool down below half operating temp for the transmission to rekick into gear. Happens Everytime after driving through cities, ATF has a slight gray tinge to it but no burning smell
My vin should have been included in this: N182186881-01 - Special Coverage Evaporator Core Icing, Leak Revised Warranty section I have had the issue for many years due to not receiving the notice. The car leaks, hisses, smokes and does not cool at all. I was told I must only take it to them for 250 diagnostic but they also said it was a havoc reprogramming that cost the 2,500 to fix. I have a estimate from a triple a recommended mechanic that says its the evaporator coil. My miles just hit 80,000 but its been going on for years because I haven't had the money to fix it and make payments. Chevy arbitrator states the miles are low and the dealer i bought it from, Conly in Brighton Michigan, should put my vin on the recall list. They say they don't know how/will not. The arbitrator didn't give me on digit for her call back extension. I do have proof of the car having no air at 49,000 miles when a mechanic couldn't find the issue because it was to far down in the car. I don't trust taki
I was driving and entering [XXX] at [XXX] when my power steering went completely out! I was unable to steer my vehicle at all and was on a windy road with my children in the vehicle! I pulled to the side of the road! Shut my car off waited a couple minutes and turned it back on and the problem went away! This has happened twice now. My power steering is due to it being electrical and not a fluid issue. This is extremely dangerous as you are unable to steer the vehicle at all when this happens! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Transmission failure 2nd time in car at 101,000 miles
235/50R18. Went for tire rotate and balance. Was informed that 3 of the 4 tires had tread separation and recommended replacement.
The Side Detection System Modules are preventing the vehicle blind spot system to work correctly. and the vehicle takes 5, 10, 15 + attempts to start up.
The Side Detection System Modules are preventing the vehicle blind spot system to work correctly. and the vehicle takes 5, 10, 15 + attempts to start up.
The Side Detection System Modules are preventing the vehicle blind spot system to work correctly. and the vehicle takes 5, 10, 15 + attempts to start up.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that he noticed that there was water leaking inside the trunk. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that water was leaking through both sides of the trunk lid. The dealer installed a gasket between the spoiler and the trunk lid. The contact stated that the failure later recurred. The contact noticed that the tire rim, the jack, and unknown areas of the trunk were rusted. The contact stated that upon performing a water leak inspection, he noticed that the passenger's side and the driver's side taillight assembly seals were leaking. The contact replaced the seals; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not help unless the vehicle was diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that both the taillights assembly seals and the sunroof grommets were leaking. The vehicle was repaired. The fail
Mileage: 5,377
When my car is exposed to water (rain, a car wash) the trunk completely floods and does not drain. It has flooded so much now that my amplifier does not work. I took my vehicle to Chevy to have the known recall on this vehicle repaired but Chevy claims that they will not do anything for me. I am afraid that the car can potentially catch fire and burn my home down as I park this car in my driveway. With this being a known recall for this vehicle, can I please have this fixed immediately!!!! I have already replaced my tools that have been damaged, please just have this fixed or id likely take further steps after this. I have been going back and forth with GMC and Chevy for over 7 days now! Just recently, my car was producing sparks from the trunk area, THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!
When my car is exposed to water (rain, a car wash) the trunk completely floods and does not drain. It has flooded so much now that my amplifier does not work. I took my vehicle to Chevy to have the known recall on this vehicle repaired but Chevy claims that they will not do anything for me. I am afraid that the car can potentially catch fire and burn my home down as I park this car in my driveway. With this being a known recall for this vehicle, can I please have this fixed immediately!!!! I have already replaced my tools that have been damaged, please just have this fixed or id likely take further steps after this. I have been going back and forth with GMC and Chevy for over 7 days now! Just recently, my car was producing sparks from the trunk area, THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!
When my car is exposed to water (rain, a car wash) the trunk completely floods and does not drain. It has flooded so much now that my amplifier does not work. I took my vehicle to Chevy to have the known recall on this vehicle repaired but Chevy claims that they will not do anything for me. I am afraid that the car can potentially catch fire and burn my home down as I park this car in my driveway. With this being a known recall for this vehicle, can I please have this fixed immediately!!!! I have already replaced my tools that have been damaged, please just have this fixed or id likely take further steps after this. I have been going back and forth with GMC and Chevy for over 7 days now! Just recently, my car was producing sparks from the trunk area, THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!
Very hard to steer
I recently purchased this car, and the airbag warning light will not turn off. Meaning, something is wrong with the airbags.
Radio/sound system malfunctioning; Radio/sound will intermittently turn on and off, at times sound will not work for days/weeks at a time. Radio/sound system is tied in with vehicles internal warning systems. When sound is not working, there is no audible notification of several safety conditions including: Seat belt not fastened; door open; turn signal on/off; Low fuel; service engine; Stabilitrack. There was no notification (audio or visual) prior to condition beginning. Symptoms began to appear about 2 months ago during routine highway driving. Vehicle has sustained no accidents and has had no aftermarket upgrades.
side detection fault. this is an acknowledged problem by GM but they will not fix my car.
side detection fault. this is an acknowledged problem by GM but they will not fix my car.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and attempting to avoid an accident, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. During the crash, the contact sustained left wrist, left shoulder, and neck injuries. No medical treatment was provided. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. In addition, the contact indicated that the braking system was faulty and previously had experienced extended stopping distances and grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when pressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 56,000.
Mileage: 56,000
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and attempting to avoid an accident, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. During the crash, the contact sustained left wrist, left shoulder, and neck injuries. No medical treatment was provided. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. In addition, the contact indicated that the braking system was faulty and previously had experienced extended stopping distances and grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when pressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 56,000.
Mileage: 56,000
while driving a chevy impala at night you can barley see and i drove even new models itâs still the same
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.