2016 Chevrolet Impala Safety Report
2016 Chevrolet Impala Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Chevrolet Impala. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (109) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 11 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Chevrolet Impala with 13 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Chevrolet Impala before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Impala Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Impala years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Impala | 113 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Impala | 295 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Impala | 57 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Impala | 26 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Impala | 13 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Chevrolet Impala Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Chevrolet Impala, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlySteering
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala
Reliability Score
The 2016 Chevrolet Impala receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Failure Severe steering failure at 101,000 miles, causing complete loss of steering ability. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Issues Transmission failure leading to unsafe driving conditions, including unexpected revving and loss of gearing. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Malfunction Air bag warning light does not turn off, indicating potential issues with airbag deployment. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Issues with exterior lighting, affecting visibility, especially at night. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k 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:
Severe steering issues, including complete loss of steering ability.
Transmission problems leading to unsafe driving conditions.
Air bag warning light does not turn off.
Issues with exterior lighting, affecting visibility.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Impala with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 es...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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....
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.
side detection fault. this is an acknowledged problem by GM but they will not fix my car.
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; Stabilitra...
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 m...
while driving a chevy impala at night you can barley see and i drove even new models it’s still the same
2016 Chevy Impala with 3.6L V6 has a design fault that causes failure of the evaporator core including leak of freon and inoperative Air Conditioning. Leak of freon and lack of air conditioning in 100 degree plus outside temps endangers the driver and passengers. Local auto service and local dealership both confirm failure of evaporator core. Issue has been identified by Chevy manufacturer and T...
For approximately 2 months, my 2016 Impala LTZ, would display a message on the small screen in front of the driver in the dash, stating for the driver to, "press ignition button again to turn vehicle off." The worst part about it was this would happen very randomly whether I would be driving in city traffic, or be sitting in a parking lot at a local store. I took it to my local Chevrolet dealershi...
On Fb 08 2022, at app 5:30 in the evening my 2016 Impala had a non-driver directed surge of speed. As I was slowing down to enter a driveway, the vehicle surged forward powerfully. I was able to press the brakes forcefully engaging the antilock mechanism. The vehicle shook as I continued to apply breaking force. It came to stop barely missing another vehicle parked in the driveway. I have no expl...
I was driving down the road at night and attempted a right hand turn when my power steering quit. The warning light on the dash came on. I almost got rear ended by cars coming from behind. I called the previous owner to see if they had ever had this happen. They stated it had happened once. They said they turned off the ignition and waited about 1/2 hour then cranked the car and the problem was so...
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle; however, she noticed that smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe was dark blue. The contact stated that upon arriving at her residence, her husband depressed the OnStar On Demand Diagnostic button and the f...
All instruments failed. After a couple restarts they came back on. Lane departure alert doesn’t work now. From a web search, I’m afraid it’s just the beginning. No, I haven’t taken it to the dealer; they charge for diagnosis. And it hasn’t been inspected. The problem doesn’t act up all the time. There are no warning lights, the system just fails. I have 50,600 miles on it. If you find wha...
Showing 20 of 109 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Chevrolet Impala
Has the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA been recalled?
No, the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA have?
The 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 109 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 8 involved crashes. 10 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
The 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA involve unknown or other (11 complaints), air bags (10 complaints), steering (9 complaints). Other affected components include power train, electrical system, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA have?
There are 8 crash reports associated with the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA out of 109 total complaints (7.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA out of 109 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
10 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA is acceptable with caveats. It has 109 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (11 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (10 complaints), 3. STEERING (9 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 11 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
Be cautious of steering and transmission issues, and ensure the air bag system is functioning properly. The 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 109 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
The 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 109 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 11 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Steering Failure and Transmission Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
Known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA include: Steering Failure, Transmission Issues, Air Bag Malfunction, Exterior Lighting. These are based on patterns found across 109 NHTSA complaints.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?
Steering failure and transmission problems are the most common safety concerns.
Are there any known issues with the air bag system?
Yes, the air bag warning light may not turn off, indicating potential issues.
What should I be aware of regarding the exterior lighting?
There are occasional issues with exterior lighting, which can affect visibility.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of steering and transmission issues, and ensure the air bag system is functioning properly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Chevrolet Impala
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala. The data includes 109 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 8 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 10 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Chevrolet Impala an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 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.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14