2006 Impala SS Transmision FAILED!

[Bignell]

By the way I own a 2006 Impala SS (Love the car Hate the trans)

[GMCustomerService]

Bignell,

If you wanted for me to check into this further with you and your dealership, please send me a direct message here on the forum with more information (include your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, and the name of your involved dealership).

Sarah, GM Customer Service

[techguy2233]

It looks like I have become the next victim in the impala transmission fiasco... I just purchased a 2007 Impala SS 3 weeks ago. This weekend I took a 10 hour road trip and now the transmission intermittenly slips... It has happened several times over the last 2 days... The car has 78,000 miles. I haven't driven it rough and I haven't owned it long enough to even need an oil change yet... I have an appointment with the dealership on Monday. I know that the car was sold to me with a very small powertrain warranty. I guess I'll wait and see what they say

[Blue Bowtie]

Owners and potential buyers need to look closely at what they are driving to understand some of the problem. Visit any reputable independent transmission shop and ask to look at the input drum assembly from a 4T65. Chances are they will have several in various stages of rebuild. They should also show you the reverse input shaft and reverse reaction shell. Then look at the final output sun gear shaft.

Once you observe how extremely thin and light these tubular "shafts" are constructed, and how little contact area is in their splines, you should quickly learn WHY we should not accelerate hard (and especially in reverse) and why we should ALWAYS use the parking brake when leaving the vehicle parked. You might be duly impressed that these parts actually last as long as they do under the conditions they are operated. These are not high-torque capable assemblies, and need to be used and treated accordingly.

Something even more frightening is the introduction of eight speed automatics, forcing the need for even lighter and thinner inter-stage shafts and couplings. Put something like that into a heavier vehicle behind an engine that can actually produce some torque, and don't expect the same kind of longevity you would get from a longitudal (RWD) transmission in your truck.

[techguy2233]

How is any one short of being a mechanic or transmission engineer supposed to know these things... I did my research on the make and model of the car and I didn't read anything about faulty transmissions... It wasn't until I actually searched "Impala transmission slipping" that I even learned of any problem at all. I am certainly taking this as a learning experience. I'm a computer guy, I don't claim to be "handy" by any stretch of the imagination. I change my oil, replace filters, brakes, and the occasional headlight... Everything else I leave to the professionals. This just seems like another instance of the consumer getting screwed. Sorry for the rant but its enough to drive a person crazy...

[zskik2]

I have a 2006 Impala SS with a second failed transmission. The first went out at 49,000. Out of warranty. What made it worse was that if I had purchased the same car used from a Chevy dealer it would have had a 100,000 mile warranty not the 36,000. I had the transmission replaced and took it back about six times because it wasn't right, which took at least a week in the shop each time. It got to the point the repairman REFUSED to work on it ever again, even though it was still under his warranty. I also replaced the torque converter during one of those returns to the shop. The second one went out at 95,000. I haven't replaced it yet. It's been about six weeks now. Went out a bought a new car, a Ford Focus ST. I still like the Impala but I don't know if I should fix it again.

[techguy2233]

I took it to the dealer on Monday and of course they could not recreate the problem. They said that based on my description it was either a solenoid in the trasmission or some sensor, but without the car exhibiting the symptoms for the mechanic they would not do anything. They told me that no damage is currently happening to the transmission and they would be more than happy to fix the problem if it starts happening more. They suggested I drive it until the problem gets worse...

I find it hard to believe that the loud clunking sound I sometimes get when the transmission engages isn't causing any damage. It certainly sounds bad enough...

[j cAT]

this repair will take about 2 weeks . the dealership is not the place to have these repairs done because they will not do what is required to repair this for the long haul.


tell them the transmission is causing continued issues as you mentioned in writting. signed by you with dates have them sign the copy for your records. tell them to call you when repaired.

you will pay to have this repaired properly the dealership is screwing you now by stalling so you need documents to support your claim in court.

the stall is what they do to all. you are lucky its not a new vehicle because they do this even then..

toyota is the number one car seller in massachusetts. this is because of these facts.

[JoeVan]

I have a 2008 Impala SS that I bought from the Chev dealer about 18 months ago with 68,000 miles. My wife an I have had chevy trucks. Anyway pretty much ever since I bought the vehicle the transmission will occassionaly slip when at a stop and accelerating. I take it to the dealer not one but about 4 times and have had the Service Manager drive with me, They can't find anything. no codes, nothing, it doesn't slip for them. I've had the trans flushed by the dealer about 12,000 miles ago. still doing it. Anyways, I contact GM and they ask if I wanted to take it to another dealer. I told them no, because it would be the same thing. Anyways it happened again about 3 months ago and off and on since. I email the Service Advisor at the dealer via email about it. They say bring it in. I told them not until it drops out. Anyways, Yesterday with 89,000 miles on the transmission it is slipping and gave me a good shutter. Take it to the dealer and both the Service Manager and Service Advisor were there. Cars goes in on Monday for them to keep until the problem shows up.
We'll see. I don't need the trans to drop dead when I'm traveling. I've had a 89 suburban that had 5 transmission replaced. Both my wife and I know all about transmissions.

[tamron]

It looks like I have become the next victim in the impala transmission fiasco... well after working for GM Lordstown, Ohio for 10yrs, I never thought that this loyal employee would be this disappointed with a GM product. I have a 2006 impala ( which I fell in love with) just had the transmission go out on me today, left me stranded, cold, and very pissed with my disabled mother in the car with me for 2hrs.. I have had this car to the mechanics for it slipping for the last 6 months and they can't find anything. no codes, nothing, it doesn't slip for them. Of course I am no longer under any warranty, and do not have a lot of money to fix this.... maybe I should go buy a dependable foreign car that is loyal to there consumer's. This just seems like another instance of the consumer getting screwed.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by tamron

It looks like I have become the next victim in the impala transmission fiasco... well after working for GM Lordstown, Ohio for 10yrs, I never thought that this loyal employee would be this disappointed with a GM product. I have a 2006 impala ( which I fell in love with) just had the transmission go out on me today, left me stranded, cold, and very pissed with my disabled mother in the car with me for 2hrs.. I have had this car to the mechanics for it slipping for the last 6 months and they can't find anything. no codes, nothing, it doesn't slip for them. Of course I am no longer under any warranty, and do not have a lot of money to fix this.... maybe I should go buy a dependable foreign car that is loyal to there consumer's. This just seems like another instance of the consumer getting screwed.

I would buy a Toyota Avalon . nice car. good mileage. also the transmission uses no clutches and filters like GM . much more reliable than any GM of this size.

these type impalas like your are junk value. GM would go bankrupt again if the fixed them all !

I have the 1996 impala now that's before GM made crap.

[jaroddc]

Hello everyone and I am the newest member of 2006 failed transmission brigade. I purchased mine used with 22,000 miles back in 2007. The transmission went out on me at 36,000 miles. Luckily the warranty covered the cost. I loved my car so much that if I were traveling on the highway and passed by a car lot, I would stop and look at the other 06-08 Impala SS (obsessed, I know) Anyway, this morning, my SECOND transmission has went out. And I didn't notice any weird jerking and shifting until 7 days earlier. I even took the time to do a transmission fluid exchange, and of course I lost that $120. Anyway, I'm now finna spend $1,850 to get the transmission fixed. The irony about it all, I actually pay the car off this May lol. I feel like she is trying to me of every lost penny before I'm freed from that bill

[GMCustomerService]

Originally Posted by jaroddc

Hello everyone and I am the newest member of 2006 failed transmission brigade. I purchased mine used with 22,000 miles back in 2007. The transmission went out on me at 36,000 miles. Luckily the warranty covered the cost. I loved my car so much that if I were traveling on the highway and passed by a car lot, I would stop and look at the other 06-08 Impala SS (obsessed, I know) Anyway, this morning, my SECOND transmission has went out. And I didn't notice any weird jerking and shifting until 7 days earlier. I even took the time to do a transmission fluid exchange, and of course I lost that $120. Anyway, I'm now finna spend $1,850 to get the transmission fixed. The irony about it all, I actually pay the car off this May lol. I feel like she is trying to me of every lost penny before I'm freed from that bill

Hello,

Please keep me posted on your repair. We are here if you have any further questions or concerns.

Amber N.
GM Customer Care

[Vanessa Arriola]

I'm afraid I might be joining this club soon. I have a 2006 Impala SS. I bought it used about 1 1/2 Years ago. I am what feels like slipping as well, it just started yesterday. I thought i was just being paranoid so I went online and first thing i found was this forum. I was gonna make an appt to take it to the dealer to have them check the car but now i'm not sure if i should take it to the dealer or to my regular mechanic.

[maxwedge]

A "regular"mechanic may not have the expertise to really diagnose a potential trans issue, if not the dealer than a reputable trans shop.