1996 Chevrolet Impala: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Chevrolet Impala: 0 recalls, 88 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
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Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (13): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (12): the most common themes are steering problems (11), leaks (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (11): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (2).
- Electrical (11): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), leaks (2), stalls / loses power (2).
The 1996 Chevrolet Impala has 88 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 28 Impala model years for complaints (well below the 372 average). Complaints peaked in 2000 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (44 complaints, 0 recalls), 1997 (1 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1996 Chevrolet Impala problems?
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (13), steering (12), transmission & drivetrain (11).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Impala get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (4.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Chevrolet Impala repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.