1996 Chevrolet Impala Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 14%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Chevrolet Impala, 14% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles.
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.
“Steering assist stops when turning. Not all the time but it has happened several times.its very scary when in traffic.so far no accidents, but its just a matter of time when .”
NHTSA complaint #10053111, filed 2004-01, 40,000 miles“Inability to control the steering on rough roads. Steering is very loose while driving at all speeds. Also, vehicle darts in both directions while braking.”
NHTSA complaint #10071789, filed 2004-04, 40,000 miles“The first time it happened I wanted to turn left into a shopping center. I slowed down to turn left and the steering was to difficult to turn, I had to run over a curb and over a patch of grass to avoid hitting a car. I stopped the car, put it in park and attempted to turn the steering wheel to the left and right to no avail. I shut the engine off and started it back up again, put the car in drive and the steering wheel turned, but not with ease. This also occurred on my way home into my driveway. This problem has occured about fifteen times. …”
NHTSA complaint #756767, filed 2002-01“My wife had complained of the steering going out on her for the last two years. I could never get the steering failure to manifest itself for me, so I figured it must have been an anomalie. Last month, the steering problem occurred for me at very poor times. I was turning into my neighborhood and lost all control of steering and almost ran into my subdivision's sign. The second time was when I was exiting a parking lot in nashville, and the steering froze. I rev'd the engine up to see if the increase in pump pressure would help, but to no avail. …”
NHTSA complaint #720355, filed 2000-03“Power steering intermittently locks up during turns at low speeds. This same thing happened 3 years ago. Chevrolet dealers and customer service both deny any evidence of a recurring problem with impalas although the NHTSA web site and an Impala owners' web site both list numerous occurrences of this malfunction. This is a very dangerous situation that renders the car temporarily out of control.”
NHTSA complaint #10060216, filed 2004-03Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 20% |
| 2019 | 3 | 11% |
| 2018 | 7 | 12% |
| 2017 | 11 | 9% |
| 2016 | 16 | 14% |
| 2015 | 44 | 15% |
| 2014 | 140 | 22% |
| 2013 | 34 | 13% |
| 2012 | 49 | 19% |
| 2011 | 35 | 7% |
| 2010 | 42 | 10% |
| 2009 | 57 | 7% |
| 2008 | 94 | 12% |
| 2007 | 101 | 16% |
| 2006 | 135 | 26% |
| 2005 | 60 | 10% |
| 2004 | 63 | 6% |
| 2003 | 30 | 4% |
| 2002 | 57 | 7% |
| 2001 | 76 | 10% |
| 2000 | 124 | 15% |
| 1996 | 12 | 14% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Impala
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 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