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2016 Chevrolet Impala problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
54%
455 of 835 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

54% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Chevrolet Impala are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 73% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 55 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 51%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Impala have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 455 of 835 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Impala concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (54%), and the largest group is filed under engine (304). For comparison, the 2015 scores 17% and the 2017 scores 37%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
455
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
890
this model year
Fires reported
6
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
0
27 crashes · 18 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE304 · 34%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM236 · 27%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER184 · 21%
POWER TRAIN178 · 20%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL149 · 17%
SERVICE BRAKES90 · 10%

The years either side

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

How the 2016 compares with other Chevrolet Impala years

Of the 10 Chevrolet Impala years with enough complaints to score, the 2016 is the worst on engine and transmission share (54%). The best is the 2014 (17%). By volume, the 2016 drew 890 complaints (455 drivetrain), against 300 for the 2015 and 116 for the 2017.

Chevrolet Impala years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2016 Chevrolet Impala

  • The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Impala said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
  • What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE01/20/2020CRASH2 INJURED
ON JAN 6 2020. I WAS DRIVING A 2016 CHEVY MALIBU, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE REDUCE POWER LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR SEAT FOR MAYBE 10 MINS. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND BEGIN DRIVING AGAIN (IT WAS PULLING NORMAL). ABOUT 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR STOP PULLIN…

One of 455 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Checking one particular 2016 Chevrolet Impala? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

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Questions people ask about the 2016 Chevrolet Impala

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Impala have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 455 of 835 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Impala concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (54%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2016 Chevrolet Impala is engine: 304 of 890 complaints (34%) name it, followed by electrical system (236) and power train (178). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 54% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 73% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 10 Chevrolet Impala years we score, it ranks worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Impala?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns on the 2016 Chevrolet Impala.

Which Chevrolet Impala years are better?

Among the Chevrolet Impala years we track, the 2014 (17%), the 2015 (17%) and the 2013 (24%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (54%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/chevrolet-impala

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 3 body styles NHTSA files separately.