3rd Dec 2008, 19:28

I love my 2006 Impala. Fortunately for me, I have not had so many problems (knock on wood). My problem is with the key-less entry/starter remote. Bought the car with 30k miles in Dec. of 06. The remote worked fine. At about 43,000 miles it started to lose it's range. Now I have almost 48,000 miles on the car I have to be about 20 feet for it to lock, unlock, pop trunk or start. I've called the dealership they told me I could replace it to the tune of $500, although the same dealership replaced my neighbors in her 07 Impala for free. I have managed to find a technical bulletin on the electrical that says various electrical concerns, systems inoperative: door locks, trunk release. I'm hoping that will work.

Also I had taken it in before the warranty was up for harsh shifting... just on take off. Of course it didn't happen when they drove it...so...no fix. I now see several bulletins on that.

Good Luck to all of you.

I still love my car.

8th Dec 2008, 22:00

I bought a 2006 Chevy Impala and love the car, but I have blown my power steering hose three times in less than 2 months. My mechanic decided to use a stronger hose last time, and still it has busted, not just leaking, it completely blows. Any suggestions how to permanently fix this problem?

11th Dec 2008, 21:22

To 22:00: Well, that's a new one on me. I'm a mechanic and I can't imagine why your hose keeps blowing. It sounds as if either the pump has too much boost or something is weakening the hose (such as touching a very hot engine part). You might want to get another shop to check the pump and see if the hose is in contact with anything hot. If not, you COULD have a custom made steel pipe made to replace the hose.

My brother loves Impalas and now has his 3rd since 1995. All of them have been totally trouble-free well past 100,000 miles, and he has never had any problems with the power steering or hoses.

17th Dec 2008, 20:56

I have never owned anything but a general motors product. My wife has a 2006 Impala with the heater going belly up at an idle. A few nights ago the outside temperature was 29 degrees. My wife got in the car, started it and drove approx. 1/8 of a mile and the gage said the car was over heating. There were no smells of dex cool (antifreeze) or major heat coming from under the hood. I replaced the thermostat. (wow that was cheap from the dealer) This did not fix the problem. Almost 70,000 miles. Wish this car was easy to fix as my 1986 Silverado and 1993 Silverado 1 tons. I have vented now, thanks for listening.

19th Dec 2008, 18:00

To 20:56: If you aren't smelling overheated anti-freeze (VERY easy to detect) or feeling excess heat under the hood, I'd strongly suspect a bad gauge relay.

31st Dec 2008, 23:51

I have a 2006 Impala ls 3.5 liter. I have had a multitude of problems. I got it at a "deal" as a program car.

I too have the popping in the steering.

I have had it in the shop for transmission problems that were never fixed.

I have the dinging of the chimes for no apparent reason.

I have tried to use the heat with nothing blowing out.

My passenger seat broke (the back came away from the rest of the seat.

My windows leak air and water.

My latest problem is that the check engine light comes on and shows message that operating at reduced power. The car surges and I cannot go over 30 mph.

I took it to the dealer who said it was the battery (replaced at over 100 bucks). Needless to say it didn't help and I have once again been left stranded. I will be so glad to get rid of this car!

2nd Jan 2009, 23:55

I'm sorry, I know it isn't funny, but when I hear of someone getting a "deal" on a program car I almost fall of my seat laughing.

First of all, I used to work for Ford and we laughed ourselves silly at people who honestly thought you got a BETTER deal on a demo or program car. You DIDN'T. You could buy any new car off our lot at the same price as that "great deal" demo. We also got a real kick out of revving the guts out of those cars, burning rubber for several hundred feet, stopping them by slamming them in reverse and lots of other really fun things we did to them. I've pegged the tachometer (NOT the SPEEDOMETER, the TACHOMETER) on Mustangs just to hear them scream (this was, incidentally, before rev-limiters took some of our fun away). Most likely that sweet deal "program" car would have led a more sedate life at a DEMOLITION DERBY. We even had cars that had pretty bad body damage. They were hurriedly patched up and sold as "new". The idea that ANYONE saves money is a "demo" or "program" car is a HUGE myth. Car people are the hardest people in the world on cars. You couldn't GIVE me a "program" car...EVER.

On the other hand, if you DO want a good deal on a car, check out former rental vehicles. They are serviced at the appropriate intervals, usually driven by familes on vacation or business men (most of whom DON'T drive like Mario Andretti).

I was just looking at SUVs for my wife and found several 2008 models with under 18,000 miles, full warranty, and new-car financing rates. The new 2009's we looked at listed for $29,000-$36,000. The rental units with 14,000-18,000 miles listed for $15,990 to $18,990. THAT is a good deal.

My family has bought 3 former rental vehicles. One was sold last year with 277,000 trouble-free miles. One was traded at 100,000 miles in perfect condition. We ARE a bit disappointed with the 3rd one, however. It is a GM compact. After only 8 years it has cost me a whopping $10 for a light bulb. Gee, I guess they just don't build them like they used to!!

18th Jan 2009, 14:03

2006 Chev Impala 3.9. Purchased this car Dec. 2006 certified mileages, added extended warranty.

I have just under 51000 miles on this car. I have replace right side tie rods, 4 tires, a blown power steering hose, the range for automatic start/door pen/lock appx: 20 feet.

Now I'm having problem with the heater and a possible leak of anti freeze. The reservoir always needs refilling. This car blows cold air after running long enough for it to be warm or hot. I have to rev the engine up to about 1100 rpms to feel heat, than some time when driving, heat dies down. At idle it blows cool too cold, blower motor works fine, vacuum hoses appear to be working, car gauge shows it's not running HOT... every once in a while I can see steam or smoke coming from the engine compartment.

Freezing in Chicago!