← New search

2011 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

410 reports with mileage · 95 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports5 fire reports19 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

37 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2016
Air Bags

"SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY: WHEN STARTING UP AND WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS AND HAVE FOUND MANY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10887573

82,300 miles · May 30, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

"TAKATA RECALL" - SERVICE AIR BAGS WARNING JUST RECENTLY CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN DRIVING. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SOUNDS OFF, AND FLASHES TO FASTEN SEAT BELT WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER IS IN THE CAR, AND THE AIR BAG PANEL FLICKS ON AND OFF CONSISTENTLY. WHEN I OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR, THERE A TAPPING LIKE SOUND STARTS AND C…

Read full complaint

"TAKATA RECALL" - SERVICE AIR BAGS WARNING JUST RECENTLY CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN DRIVING. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SOUNDS OFF, AND FLASHES TO FASTEN SEAT BELT WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER IS IN THE CAR, AND THE AIR BAG PANEL FLICKS ON AND OFF CONSISTENTLY. WHEN I OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR, THERE A TAPPING LIKE SOUND STARTS AND CONTINUES FOR FIVE TO SIX SECONDS AND THEN STOPS. WHEN I PUSH THE HEAT AND AIR LEVERS, IT STOPS. WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR OR HEAT, IT WILL MAKE THE TAPPING NOISE AND STOP AFTER A SHORT WHILE. THE NOISE SEEM TO BE GETTING LOUDER. WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE HEAT OR WHEN IN THE CAR JUST SITTING AND THE CAR NOT TURNED ON, THE SAME TAPPING NOISE WILL OCCUR. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A WOOD PECKER SOUND. IT SOUND LIKE IT IS LOCATED IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AREA, CLOSE BY THE DASHBOARD AREA.

NHTSA ODI #10871404

135,000 miles · May 9, 2016
Air BagsEngineService BrakesCrashInjury

G.M. REPLACED MY INGINTION SWITCH ON A NATIONAL RECALL. I WAS HIT IN LEFT REAR QTR. PANEL. I LOST ALL POWER AND COULD NOT STOP OR STEER THE CAR. I CAREENED ACROSS HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A HOUSE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EITHER. G.M. SENT A TEAM TO RECOVER COMPUTER INFO AND HAS NOW TOLD ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10863980

90,000 miles · Nov 8, 2015
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS REAR ENDED, SPUN AROUND TWO TO THREE TIMES; HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON BEFORE COMING TO A STOP; AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE IGNITION RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED OVER THE PAST SUMMER AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10789128

65,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Air BagsWheels

MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY OR HAS FAULTY WIRING. IT'S A NEWER VEHICLE, I CURRENTLY HAVE 72,000 MILES ON IT. AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANYBODY ESPECIALLY MY KIDS WHO RIDES IN MY PASSENGER SEAT. THE SENSOR WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WEIGHT ON THE SEAT AND WILL NOT A…

Read full complaint

MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY OR HAS FAULTY WIRING. IT'S A NEWER VEHICLE, I CURRENTLY HAVE 72,000 MILES ON IT. AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANYBODY ESPECIALLY MY KIDS WHO RIDES IN MY PASSENGER SEAT. THE SENSOR WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WEIGHT ON THE SEAT AND WILL NOT ACTIVATE IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED UP A WHILE BACK AND PUT IN A COMPLAINT. SOMEBODY CALLED ME BACK BUT NEVER ANSWERED MY PHONE OR MESSAGES I HAD LEFT. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE NOTICED THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I EXPECT CHEVY TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10743364

56,000 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemTraction Control SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THEIR HANDS AND LEGS, BUT DID RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTEN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THEIR HANDS AND LEGS, BUT DID RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IMPACT WAS NOT HARD ENOUGH FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN UPDATED 11/6/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10706702

5,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NOSE AND FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NOSE AND FACE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD AND SIDING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10703869

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemService BrakesCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER AND RIGHT HIP INJURIES BUT DID NOT REQUIRE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER AND RIGHT HIP INJURIES BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED ANKLE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/23/15*CN UPDATED 11/9/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10692249

113,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, ARM, AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTUR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, ARM, AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639751

50,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT ME…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS, SIDE PANEL, TRUNK, AND REAR BUMPER WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FUMES WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROARING NOISES IN THE REAR ON THE HIGHWAY. UPDATED 3/26/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10626591

Official recalls

2

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

12V377000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Aug 3, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.