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2016 Chevrolet Impala problems, recalls and owner complaints

What the 2016 Chevrolet Impala has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.

  • 0safety recalls
  • 890owner complaints
  • 27crash reports
  • 6fire reports
  • 18injuries reported

The most complained-about Chevrolet Impala year on file: 890 complaints, against an average of 210 for the other 8 model years.

Every Chevrolet Impala model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.

What goes wrong with the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?

The components named most often in the 890 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  1. Engine304 (34.2%)
  2. Electrical System236 (26.5%)
  3. Power Train178 (20%)
  4. Vehicle Speed Control149 (16.7%)
  5. Service Brakes90 (10.1%)
  6. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)84 (9.4%)
  7. Steering55 (6.2%)
  8. Fuel/Propulsion System48 (5.4%)

What symptoms do 2016 Chevrolet Impala owners describe?

Found by reading the text of all 890 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.

Has the 2016 Chevrolet Impala been recalled?

NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.

What do 2016 Chevrolet Impala owners report?

12 of the 890 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and turning into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power and there was black smoke coming from the right side of the engine compartment. The contact then parked the vehicle and opened the hood, and there were flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
EngineFireNHTSA complaint 11756028 · Aug 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal sound and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the instrument cluster displayed a blank screen. The contact attempted to shift the gear shifter, however the gear shifter failed to shift as intended. The contact stated after several attempts, the gear shifter shifted as intended. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken where it was

Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11741316 · Jun 1, 2026
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
Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11696147 · Oct 28, 2025
When I was driving my car with my child in it my break tightened up and I couldn’t apply them to stop I had to let my foot off the gas and let my car slow its self down safely. When I got my car home my husband looked at it and found out that my vaccum pump had went out and part of it broke off in the engine. This is very unsafe and this needs to be investigated because people can’t know when the vacuum pump is going to go bad this issue lays on gm and Chevy to make sure the parts they are using will hold up and be safe
Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11677384 · Jul 30, 2025
Brake booster pump failed ( gm part # 12704586 ) Causing limited braking and severe damage to internal engine components, camshafts ,timing chain have been damaged This is a ongoing problem in which i have had this pump replaced at my expense several times. The problem stems brake booster pump is lubricated using the engine's oil . Booster pump has a small screen to filter oil, this filter can easily become clogged resulting in booster to run dry and grenade into top of engine. These pieces then interfer with camshafts and timing gears other components
Service Brakes, EngineNHTSA complaint 11671410 · Jul 6, 2025
When I put the car in park and try to turn the car off the Shift Park message comes on preventing me from cutting the car completely off. I put in back in drive or reverse then back in park it still dings and shows the message. I takes a number of repeating these steps for it to stop and turn off and this is happening every time I'm trying to turn the car off.
Electrical System, Back Over Prevention, Forward Collision AvoidanceNHTSA complaint 11668474 · Jun 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. Additionally, the message “Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline, Vehicle Speed ControlNHTSA complaint 11665802 · Jun 9, 2025
I am filing a complaint regarding ongoing and worsening issues with my Chevrolet vehicle, which appear to point to broader defects involving the engine and electrical systems. Months ago, while driving, the car suddenly lost power and displayed "Engine Power Reduced." I had to keep using it due to work needs. Over time, it hesitated more during acceleration and felt increasingly unsafe. When I finally brought it to a Chevrolet service center, I was told the issue involved the pistons. The vehicle also regularly shows a "Shift to Park" warning even when the gear is in Park, raising concerns

Power Train, Electrical System, EngineNHTSA complaint 11663745 · May 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal made an abnormal grinding sound and became stiff. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband replaced the brake sensor; however, the failure recurred several days later. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V272000 (Electronic Stability Control). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test and was referred

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)NHTSA complaint 11652737 · Apr 4, 2025
Happened around 46000 miles after receiving a recall notice in the mail about the pedal positioning sensor causing a reduced engine power signal, and immediately reducing speeds on the interstate. Local Chevy dealership replaced. Fast-forward 80K miles and the same incident is happening, however likely not going to be covered by GM. Same message, same code being detected.
Vehicle Speed Control, Unknown Or Other, EngineNHTSA complaint 11644103 · Feb 21, 2025
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)
SteeringNHTSA complaint 11627748 · Nov 27, 2024
I started smelling a strong smell of gas while operating the vehicle. Took to a dealership who diagnosed a turbocharger clamp and exhaust failure. From what I understand I am not the only one with a clamp/exhaust/seal problem. A friend of mine who owned a GM product had similar problems to the point her engine failed altogether. Please investigate!
Unknown Or Other, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11617854 · Oct 3, 2024

2016 Chevrolet Impala: questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 890 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Impala; the most common categories were engine (304, 34.2%), electrical system (236, 26.5%), power train (178, 20%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 27 complaints mention a crash, 6 mention a fire, 18 injuries were reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?

Across 890 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (34.2% of complaints), electrical system (26.5% of complaints), power train (20% of complaints), vehicle speed control (16.7% of complaints), service brakes (10.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?

As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Impala?

139 of the 890 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala (15.6%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Driving and the car does not shift correctly when speeding up onto the interstate and then engine light comes on and words engine power is reduced comes on. Called Chevrolet and can no longer drive vehicle." (NHTSA complaint 11595685, June 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Impala stall, lose power or shut off while driving?

63 of the 890 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala (7.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "while driving the engine lost power started idling rough and the MIL came on. The MIL was found to be cyl 1 misfire, mechanic tracked it down to a cracked piston. A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE." (NHTSA complaint 11590515, May 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Check your own Impala

Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only; combines NHTSA's entries for IMPALA and IMPALA ECO EASSIST.

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