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2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Reduced engine power mode with sudden deceleration.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited.

Reported to NHTSA

Reduced engine power mode with sudden deceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE

60 NHTSA complaints · 2022-01 → 2025-06

“I will be driving at posted speed limits (typically 55 to 60 MPH) and while going up a hill, the engine loses power. I get a notice on my screen that states engine power reduced. Speed reduces to no more than 35 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11629154
“While traveling at normal speed (55-60MPH) Engine Power Reduced message pops up and car will not accelerate until I pull over, turn it off, then back on after a period of time. Message is beginning to come up frequently. Occurred 3 times this morning on the way to work”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11586716
“I was driving on the highway at 70 mph and the power in my car was reduced to almost nothing. I could not accelerate. The cars around me barely missed hitting me”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11450875

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water leaks into headliner and trunk

STRUCTURE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2022-01 → 2024-02

“Water has been leaking into my car from the roof and onto my seats. Today I discovered that I have black mold under my headliner”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11547147
“The contact stated that there was water leaking through the panel housing of the third brake light onto the headliner and the rear seats and trunk of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460582
“I’ve noticed this issue a couple weeks ago but now since it’s been constantly raining I’m having water inside my car every single day”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11501373

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Shift to Park message with vehicle already in park

POWER TRAIN

44 NHTSA complaints · 2022-01 → 2025-06

“Shift to park message and park not fully engaging. This caused the vehicle to roll back when parked on an incline”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11663473
““Shift to park” intermittently indicated when vehicle is in park. Power will not shut off while indicated. Was repaired twice but has returned”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11604866
“Once shifting the vehicle into park, the gear selector is indicating the vehicle is in park, but the dash board reads "shift to park" and does not allow you to turn off vehicle, it remains in accessory mode”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487225

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake booster vacuum pump failure and hard pedal

SERVICE BRAKES

30 NHTSA complaints · 2022-03 → 2025-07

“Brake vacuum booster failed resulting in the brakes failing”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11606119
“My 2016 chevy Malibu had brake vacuum pump failure. No warnings. Brake pedal got hard and could not stop”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11536894
“Vacuum pump failure. Brakes failed while driving the car, brakes became manual power but was able to pull over safely. There was no previous warning or error codes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11614644

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cracked pistons and cylinder misfires

ENGINE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2022-06 → 2025-05

“Upon topping off the oil problem persisted. After having the engine tested it was determined to have a cracked piston”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11594556
“while driving the engine lost power started idling rough and the MIL came on. The MIL was found to be cyl 1 misfire, mechanic tracked it down to a cracked piston”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11590515
“Car began to lose power while driving down the road, then began sputtering gas and creating black smoke. Engine pistons appear to be shot. Car has a little over 100k miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11470910

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine shutoff at stops and during Auto Stop

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2022-03 → 2025-03

“While in drive and at stop sign the car starts to shut off. It can be very dangerous due to the fact it completely cuts off at while in drive”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11466985
“When the auto shutdown feature on the car turns off the engine at a stop light; stop sign; or other reason, sometimes the cars entire electrical system shuts down. This happened twice to me. Once at a stoplight and once when freeway traffic came to a sudden stop”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11578294
“When driving the car it will cut off on it's own, shutting down after the reduce engine power light comes on and it fails to re-start. It happens when you are decreasing speed befor e the auto stop can be engage and come to a complete stop”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11454860

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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