Complaints
120
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Chevrolet Impala Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
Avg mileage:40,000 mi
#29 complaints
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
#36 complaints
Tire Defects
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 9 | — | — | 40,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 | — | — | 92,500 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — |
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,000
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,500
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Impala Years
1996 Chevrolet Impala — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1996 Chevrolet Impala has 120 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Impala?
Top reported problems: Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System (9 complaints, avg 40,000 mi); Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core (9 complaints); Tire Defects (6 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Chevrolet Impala?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 58,750 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala include 2 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Chevrolet Impala?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Impala reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Chevrolet Impala
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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