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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 →
88Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
199315
199444
199588
19961
19972
19984
1999
Compare all Impala years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Visibility
13Steering
12Electrical System
11Power Train
11Engine And Engine Cooling
10
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
9Tires
8Service Brakes, Hydraulic
7Suspension
6Seat Belts
4Wheels
4Unknown Or Other
3Structure
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Air Bags
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Other
1Seats
1

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 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 1997
Wheels

SEVERE VIBRATION AND SHAKING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 45 MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ODI #525401

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1997
Tires

WHEN DRIVING WITH ONE OR MORE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT THE FENDER RUBS THE TIRE. DEALER CAN'T FIX. *AK

NHTSA ODI #818819

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #605355

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PROPORTIONAL VALVE DESIGNED FOR DISC/DRUM, NOT FOR DISC/DISC. PRESENTS IMPROPER BIAS TO FRONT BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #518791

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1997
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering

FUEL METER ASSEMBLY (SENDER) FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #521159

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

COVER GASKET DOES NOT HAVE PROPER HOLES TO LUBRICATE THE OUTER REAR AXLE.

NHTSA ODI #521017

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL COOLER HOSE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #517976

Mileage unknown · May 20, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #517296

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1997
Power Train

TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #602991

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 1997
Tires

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE RIM, CAR WAS ABLE TO GET ON SIDE. DEALER GLUED THE TIRE BACK ON RIM. THIS IS NOT THE 1ST TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810411

Official recalls

0

No 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

2

EA99003 · 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 . . .