BestCarRank
Chevrolet

2016 Chevrolet IMPALA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet IMPALA has 177 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 422. The most common issue is electrical problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: when traveling on the highway or local roads. my vehicle would warn me to shift into park to stop the engine. the after 3 notices it would shutdown completely.. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 10 crash reports 11 injuries

177

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

30 complaints
17%
  • WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY OR LOCAL ROADS. MY VEHICLE WOULD WARN ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE AFTER 3 NOTICES IT WOULD SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY.
  • ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:20 A.M. I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN A CENTER CITY PARKING GARAGE. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 CAR LENGTHS FROM THE PARKING SPOT. I WAS BACKING MY CAR INTO THE SPOT. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND I REMOVED MY SAFETY BELT AND LOWERED THE WINDOW. I PUT THE CAR IN REVE
  • VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO STAR(YOU TURN THE KEY TO START AND IT DOES NOTHING ) ALSO WHEN CAR GOES ON AUTO STOP AND COMES OFF AUTO STOP IT CLUNKS LIKE IF THE CAR HAD BAD MOTOR MOUNTS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY OR LOCAL ROADS. MY VEHICLE WOULD WARN ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE AFTER 3 NOTICES IT WOULD SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY.

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet IMPALA

Based on 118 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
25
30-60K
42
60-100K
38
100-150K
12
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 46K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
7
60-100K
6
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
7
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
4
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 66K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
3
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Above-average theft risk

#11 most stolen in 2025

The Chevrolet IMPALA was the #11 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 8,400 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Older sedan; parts demand

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2016 Chevrolet IMPALA

Live EIA prices
Per year
$3,311
Per month
$276
Per mile
27.6¢
kWh/mi
1.47

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Chevrolet IMPALA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,811
Full coverage / month
$151
Liability only / year
$638
vs US avg
+8%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x
× theft risk1.06x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1811

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet IMPALA Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
45K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
23K mi
Engine air filter
45K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2016 IMPALA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2016 Chevrolet IMPALA

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000
Clean Cars 4 All
ColoradoUp to $5,000
Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit
ConnecticutUp to $4,250
CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)
DelawareUp to $2,500
Clean Vehicle Rebate
IllinoisUp to $4,000
Illinois EV Rebate Program
MarylandUp to $3,000
Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
MassachusettsUp to $3,500
MOR-EV
New JerseyUp to $4,000
Charge Up New Jersey
New YorkUp to $2,000
Drive Clean Rebate
OregonUp to $7,500
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate
PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program
Rhode IslandUp to $2,500
DRIVEEV
TexasUp to $2,500
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive
VermontUp to $5,000
Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles
See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 177 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ELECTRICAL: WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY OR LOCAL ROADS. MY VEHICLE WOULD WARN ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE AFTER 3 NOTICES IT WOULD SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY OR LOCAL ROADS. MY VEHICLE WOULD WARN ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE AFTER 3 NOTICES IT WOULD SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: I WAS STOPPED AT THE TOP OF THE HILL ON A PRIVATE ROAD. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE WAS VERY WEAK AND IT TOOK 50-60 FEET AND ALL OF MY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: I WAS STOPPED AT THE TOP OF THE HILL ON A PRIVATE ROAD. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE WAS VERY WEAK AND IT TOOK 50-60 FEET AND ALL OF MY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
177
Recalls
0
Fire reports
6
Crash reports
10
Injury reports
11
Segment avg
422

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Chevrolet IMPALA