2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited Safety Report

2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited: Good Crash Ratings, High Complaint Volume for Engine, Brakes, and 'Shift to Park' Issues, No Recalls.

787Complaints
0Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
45/100Reliability Score
19Crash Reports
2Fire Reports
8Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (77)Unknown Or Other (73)Power Train (56)Electrical System (45)Vehicle Speed Control (33)Service Brakes (31)Vehicle Speed Control,Engine (27)Electrical System,Engine (23)Power Train,Electrical System (18)Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine (18)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited

The 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved strong crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 4 out of 5 stars in Overall, Frontal, Side, and Rollover categories, the vehicle has accumulated a significant number of owner complaints. With 787 total complaints, including 19 crashes, 2 fires, and 8 injuries, there are clear patterns of concern that prospective buyers should be aware of. The absence of any recalls for this specific model year is notable, suggesting that while individual component failures are frequent, they haven't reached a threshold for manufacturer-issued safety campaigns. A deep dive into the complaint data reveals several recurring issues. The 'ENGINE' component leads with 77 complaints, often associated with 'Engine Power Reduced' messages, sudden deceleration, rough idling, and knocking. This is frequently intertwined with 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' issues (45 complaints) and 'VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL' problems (33 complaints), suggesting complex interdependencies. Another prominent and potentially dangerous issue is related to the 'POWER TRAIN' (56 complaints) and 'SERVICE BRAKES' (31 complaints), with reports of brake booster pump failures leading to limited braking and internal engine damage, as well as 'Shift to Park' messages preventing the vehicle from fully shutting off or engaging park, leading to rollaway risks. The 'Shift to Park' issue, specifically, appears in numerous complaints, where the vehicle fails to recognize it's in park, preventing full shutdown and, in some cases, causing the vehicle to roll back. This is a critical safety concern, especially given reports of the electronic parking brake unexpectedly releasing. The 'Engine Power Reduced' mode, which limits speed to as low as 20-35 mph, is also a significant hazard, particularly when occurring on highways. Despite the good crash test scores, the high volume of complaints across critical systems like engine, brakes, and power train indicates potential reliability and safety vulnerabilities that are not addressed by recalls.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited receives a reliability score of 45 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine Power Reduced / Loss Of Power
Vehicle enters 'Engine Power Reduced' mode, leading to sudden deceleration, limited speed (e.g., 20-35 mph), rough idling, hesitation, and knocking. Often accompanied by check engine light.		 High Common 40000-80000 miles
Shift To Park Message / Park Engagement Failure
Vehicle displays 'Shift to Park' message even when in park, preventing full shutdown, draining battery, and in some cases, leading to vehicle rollaway due to park not fully engaging or electronic parking brake release.		 High Common unknown miles
Brake Booster Pump Failure
Brake booster pump failure leading to limited braking ability, stiff brake pedal, grinding sounds, and potential severe damage to internal engine components (e.g., camshafts, timing chain).		 High Occasional unknown miles
Electrical System Malfunctions
Various electrical issues, often intertwined with engine and vehicle speed control problems, contributing to overall vehicle unreliability.		 Medium Common unknown miles
Transmission Accumulator Pressure Pipe Failure
Failure of the transmission accumulator pressure pipe causing all transmission fluid to leak out.		 High Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited:

Engine 9% of complaints

Frequent reports of 'Engine Power Reduced' mode, loss of power, rough idling, hesitation, and knocking.

Unknown Or Other 9% of complaints

A significant portion of complaints fall into general or unspecified categories, indicating diverse issues.

Power Train 7% of complaints

Issues related to the transmission and drivetrain, including the 'Shift to Park' message and potential rollaway risks.

Electrical System 5% of complaints

Various electrical malfunctions, often contributing to other system failures like engine and vehicle speed control.

Vehicle Speed Control 4% of complaints

Problems with maintaining or controlling vehicle speed, often linked to 'Engine Power Reduced' events.

Service Brakes 3% of complaints

Braking issues including stiff pedals, grinding sounds, and brake booster pump failures.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited received strong 4-star crash safety ratings across all categories (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover). However, it has a high volume of 787 owner complaints, including 19 crashes and 8 injuries, detailing significant issues with engine power loss, brake failures, and a critical 'Shift to Park' defect that can lead to rollaways. While it performs well in crash tests, its operational reliability and safety are compromised by these recurring mechanical and electrical problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited?

The most reported issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited include 'Engine Power Reduced' messages and sudden loss of power (77 complaints), the 'Shift to Park' message preventing vehicle shutdown and causing rollaway risks (part of 56 Power Train complaints), and brake booster pump failures leading to limited braking (31 Service Brakes complaints). Electrical system malfunctions (45 complaints) are also frequently cited.

Are there any recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited?

No, according to the provided NHTSA data, there are no recalls issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited.

How reliable is the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited?

The 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited shows concerning reliability trends given its 787 total complaints, especially for critical components like the engine, power train, and brakes. The high frequency of issues like 'Engine Power Reduced' and the 'Shift to Park' defect suggest below-average reliability, despite the absence of recalls.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited?

When considering a used 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited, thoroughly check for any 'check engine' lights or 'Engine Power Reduced' messages. Test the braking system for stiffness or grinding. Pay close attention to the 'Shift to Park' function, ensuring the vehicle properly recognizes park and shuts off completely without displaying the warning message. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, specifically checking for known issues like brake booster pump health and engine diagnostics, is highly recommended.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Despite good crash ratings, the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited has a high volume of owner complaints regarding critical engine, brake, and 'Shift to Park' issues; proceed with caution and ensure a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these known problems.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited. The data includes 787 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 19 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 8 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 4 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.