2006 Chevrolet Impala from North America - Comments

To the above writer who posted about the wind noise and steering shaft problem. I have had the steering shaft be replaced twice for vibrating and making noise. It was covered by my new car warranty.

I have owned a 2006 Ltz for almost 2 years now. I took it in to the dealer just before it turned 36,000 miles. The car checked out according to the dealer just fine. I ended up with a bill of almost 380 dollars for fluid change and miscellaneous things not covered under warranty. The car now has just under 50,000 miles and I have had to replace both front hubs inner and outer tie rod ends and the intermediate steering shaft. I also had to replace the front tires at near 26,000 miles. The rear tires still look brand new. I have never owned a car under 50,000 miles that needed so much front end work done and all the blogs that I have read I am surprised that GM has not had any recalls. From what I have read one person had the car to the dealer on 3 different occasions for the intermediate steering shaft so that leaves me to believe it might be a design problem. Other than that I have had the nit noy things to go wrong but can't complain about performance, gas mileage and over all handling. I have the 3.9 and average 24.8 miles using 5w 30 synthetic oil. Not bad for a full size car with plenty of power. The front end and all of its related problems puzzles me. It not just one thing that seems to be failing... its multiple components that are failing. The trouble that I'm having is they don't seem to have engineered any of these parts differently to keep them from failing in the future, so I guess if I still have the car in another 2 years I will be doing this all over again.

I had a 2006 Impala LT with the 3.5. Overall, it was a pleasant car. However, the attention to detail was sorely lacking. You could chip the paint by sneezing on it. A lot of the trim pieces had to be replaced and after 2 years and 13,000 miles, the interior looked more worn than my 1998 Escort. I traded it on something more economical and haven't looked back.

I don't own an Impala. Of course I've seen many, inside and out. I really like the restyle, and judging from how many I've seen on the road plus the positive ratings from consumer mags, I'd say this has been a successful restyle. But, to all of you that think that dimensions are notably different, this was just a restyle of the existing car not a complete redesign. That's why the car makes somewhat poorer use of space compared to other cars that have been redesigned within the last few years. As for the "round" taillights issue the old Impala didn't have round taillights, just round clear spots in an opaque panel. From the first time I clapped eyes on it to the present I HATE the looks of it. I actually think the new car is a very successful one for a larger car (from a styling perspective). Just thought I'd offer this counterpoint to the original review et al.

The new Impala does not look bad. However I do not like the fact that they took away the Impala badge on the trunk. I think this was done because the car looks like a Honda and they want people to know that it is a Chevy.

Actually the new Impala does have two circle lights, but it should have four. I like the front of the new Impala better than the previous 2000 ones. If the back had the four lights and the Impala Badge on the trunk, without the gray strip, I would like the car more.

Also the car should have bigger side mirrors and not little triangles. How can little triangular mirrors be safe on a large car. Was GM trying to save on glass?

I like the newer Impala base models (LS/LT) hupcap's better than the rism. The LTZ and SS have good looking rims. They should have made better looking rims for LS and LT models and put the Impala badge on the middle of the trunk, not the bowtie.

The new Impala does not look bad, but I think they went too generic. Hopefully the next design looks like a true Impala would. Also the interior is way better than the previous 2000 ones. Also the new ones come with way more features (every model has power seats, AWESOME). I would buy a new one because they look good, are cheap, and I would fit in it because I'm 6 foot 4 inches.

I bought an 06 Impala LTZ used with 30k miles (a former rental car--I know I drive rentals that way too) in December 07 when my Wrangler transmission went out.

The heated seats and heat in general were so nice the first time I selected it and I thought about what it'd be like to still be in that Jeep. The large size of the car enhances the ride quality greatly and is really roomy. The Bose surround sound sounds great and the leather seats look good and are easy to clean. My car is laser blue metallic with an ebony interior. I bought it to carpool with and with the idea that I may get married soon and need a car to travel in.

Reality: I am now married with 3 cats and a Weimeraner named Luna. I moved to the city where I worked. My wife uses the car to commute 50 miles one way. She didn't like the car at first (she said that it was hard to see out of), but it has grown on her.

The drive train is doing fine. I had some key fob issues, and some tire pressure sensor issues that occurred under the 36k mile warranty that I had fixed. They worked for a short time and now I'll have to pay for the repairs myself. There is a blog on-line dating back to 2006 about this issue and apparently it is the receiver (which they did not replace) that is the problem ugh!! I had a couple of tire places damage my wheels because their machine is not equipped to handle the dish on these wheels. I have been told that my tie rod end needs replacing - I noticed someone else had an issue with that. There is a rubbing sound that I hear when the suspension compresses, but it sounds like the shocks. The dash on a hot day (Alabama hot) with the windows rolled up makes some popping noises like the glue is getting hot and releasing until it gets cool and sets again. The sheet metal is thin and can dent easily. My 86 toy MR-2 took a green pair being hurled at brute force (not by me) with no signs of damage. My wife leans against the rear door and the thing dents right at the top where the body rolls or breaks. its either a 500 new door or they can punch the dent out and I'll still be able to see the spot for 150.

And that is the good, bad, dirty, and why of my blue Impala. Oh yea, I get comments on the color of this car about once a week.

"I bought an 06 Impala LTZ used with 30k miles (a formal rental car--I know I drive rentals that way too) in December 07 when my Wrangler transmission went out."

I'm a mechanic and I have long recommended used rental cars. 1000 business men or families on vacation will not do as much damage to a rental car as ONE teenage son of the owner of a personally owned car... I KNOW!!

In addition, you can be assured that a rental car has been properly serviced and maintained. With a personal vehicle you can't always have that assurance.

Our family has had three very fine former rental cars. One (a Buick) made 277,000 miles without a single problem (it was then sold). Our Toyota made 100,000 miles before boring us to the point of distraction and being traded for a Ford. Our current Pontiac rental car has 75,000 flawless and totally trouble-free miles.

I have a 2006 Impala LTZ. It's currently in the shop as I speak.

I have had the car since 2007. The 1st year went smoothly. The car drives well to me in the city as well as the highway.

Good trunk space. I'm able to put my son's stroller and a house load of groceries in it. But I noticed in the winter here in Kansas, where it's just freezing, when I would start my car, it wouldn't get warm until I drove off. Coolant issue.

Then just last Thursday, two of my tire sensors went out. Don't know if they just need to be reset or I gotta come out the pocket and get new sensors.

Then Saturday, I was about to take my daughter to dance rehearsal, backed up out my parking spot... all my power steering fluid come out. Hubby had to drive it to the dealership. And this all happened within days of each other. Couldn't believe it. So now I'm praying hard that there is nothing major. But we'll see. Anyone else having this problem or has had this problem.

Oh my windows started that screeching noise too. Gets on my nerves!!!

"Then just last Thursday, two of my tire sensors went out. Don't know if they just need to be reset or I gotta come out the pocket and get new sensors.

Then Saturday, I was about to take my daughter to dance rehearsal, backed up out my parking spot... all my power steering fluid come out. Hubby had to drive it to the dealership. And this all happened within days of each other. Couldn't believe it. So now I'm praying hard that there is nothing major. But we'll see. Anyone else having this problem or has had this problem."

I'm a mechanic and I literally DESPISE the stupid "low tire" sensors. Anyone who can't LOOK at a tire and tell it needs air should not be given a driver's license. I've asked Ford to REMOVE the sensors on my 2007 Ford and they say they can't (which means they WON'T). I've learned to just ignore the stupid light and hit "reset" to turn it off every time I drive the car. Why on Earth are you bothering to REPLACE them?? When I buy new tires I am having the sensors thrown in the garbage.

As far as the power steering fluid issue is concerned, I have no idea that this might be your situation, but we have actually had cases here (my fellow mechanic friend for one) who has had a dealership service tech deliberately LOOSEN the power steering hose to allow the fluid to leak out so the car will have to be returned to the dealership. Even if the car is in warranty the dealer is paid by the manufacturer. Some unscrupulous dealerships may be using this technique to get extra revenue. I'd definitely check for loosened hoses and if they are loose, tighten them and report this to your local Better Business Bureau or consumer affairs office.

I have owned my 2006 Impala LS for almost 2 years now. I purchased the vehicle used, and have been very pleased with it's performance and very few repair issues. I am recently disappointed with the failure of my wiper transmission. I've tried poking around for answers on-line and find very limited info. It seems that it is a tough fix for dealers and they would replace with a brand new part costing approx $150.00 and charge an additional $150.00 for labor. If anyone has this problem, I would suggest setting some time aside and replace this part yourself, as it's not worth 150.00 in labor and the part can be purchased from a junked vehicle in great condition for less than half the cost.