1996 Chevrolet Impala Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 13%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Chevrolet Impala, 13% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“(1) while traveling thru laughlin, nv traveling west on hwy 163, car abruptly quits. Fuel pump fuse blown. Suspect dying fuel pump. Install new fuse, travel another 30 miles up hwy 95...car dies again. This time, no blown fuse. Fuel pump will not run. Tow vehicle to final destination (las vegas). (2) pulled the tank, removed the sending unit for pump replacement. Quickly noticed the problem. The fuel pump wiring inside the tank had shorted out. Insulation burnt completely off of the primary pump power wire and shorted into the fuel quantity ground wire. Connector at top of sending unit melted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10079043, filed 2004-06, 92,500 miles“I belong to an Impala ss club and several years ago we noticed that the stock AC/delco (?) 676 battery would sometimes leak. Many complained to gmc but nothing happened so as precaution many people changed out their battery since GM would do nothing about it. Now we (the club) noticed that there is an investigation on the chevy suburban and tahoe and yukon about the same battery. This is something that has been happening at least since 1994 when our impalas started to be made. These batterys are shoddy. Please take help take them off the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #724372, filed 2000-06“The vehicle was started & immediately the locks began engaging & disengaging in rapid sequence, then there was a snap and I began to smell burning wires. I noticed smoke rising to my left coming from the outside hood vents. I tried to get out of the vehicle but I could not unlock or open the drivers door. I had to manually unlock the door. My husband came out and checked under the hood he saw smoke coming from around the fire wall. He then looked under the drivers side dash board and saw flames. I at that point contacted 911 and he was able to put out the fire with a garden hose. …”
NHTSA complaint #714285, filed 1999-11“Alternator suddently stopped working. Dash board light doesn't allow consumer to see the speed. He doesn't know how fast he is going. Also, when applying brake and gas pedals headlights go dim. When he releases gas and brake pedals, headlights are full force.”
NHTSA complaint #855976, filed 2000-02“The contact owned a 1996 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and crashed into a ditch. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10628184, filed 2014-08Related service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 20% |
| 2019 | 9 | 32% |
| 2018 | 11 | 19% |
| 2017 | 15 | 13% |
| 2016 | 30 | 27% |
| 2015 | 96 | 32% |
| 2014 | 221 | 35% |
| 2013 | 52 | 19% |
| 2012 | 58 | 22% |
| 2011 | 95 | 19% |
| 2010 | 132 | 30% |
| 2009 | 224 | 27% |
| 2008 | 221 | 27% |
| 2007 | 128 | 20% |
| 2006 | 124 | 24% |
| 2005 | 331 | 54% |
| 2004 | 681 | 63% |
| 2003 | 264 | 38% |
| 2002 | 305 | 38% |
| 2001 | 225 | 30% |
| 2000 | 187 | 23% |
| 1996 | 11 | 13% |
| 1995 | 6 | 14% |
| 1994 | 5 | 33% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Impala
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Impala
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology