IllustrationPASSENGER'S DOOR STUCK.
1996 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 9 of 88 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Visibility. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
88 reportsSEAT BELT JAMMED IN THE BUCKLE ALONG THE UPPER EDGE. *AK
LEFT/RIGHT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FAILED TWICE.
GRINDING GEAR SOUND IN REAR END-CAUSING AUTO TO PULL AND JERK. *AK
OIL COOLER LINES ROUTED SO THEY RUB AGAINST METAL, CAUSING HOLES/LEAK.
REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD
ABS: LOST ALL BRAKING POWER ASSIST FUNCTIONS TWICE IN ONE DAY; PEDAL TRAVEL TO FLOOR; INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCES; NO WARNING. TT
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF . TT
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA99003 · Coolant Fires
Opened Jan 13, 1999 · Closed Aug 17, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE96001 · Rear Wheel Separation
Opened Jan 4, 1996 · Closed May 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM GM INDICATES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF WHEEL SEPARATIONS IS WARRANTED.IN GM'S RESPONSE DATED APRIL 26, 1996, GM STATED THAT:GM HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHIH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO WHEEL SEPARATION.INVESTIGATION AS TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHEEL SEPARATIONS IS CONTINUING.THE RESULTS OF THESE FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ASSESS THE PROBABILITY OF ANY FUTURE INCIDENTS . . .