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2011 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

132 reports
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47,000 miles · Apr 19, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

STARTED CAR HAD CAR FOR 2YRS NOW NO PROBLEM WHAT SO EVER AND THE SERVICE TRACTION AND STABILITY CONTROL AND ALSO REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON AS WELL AS ENGINE LIGHT IT JERKED WENT IT SHIFTED AND DIDN'T ACT LIKE IT HAD IT POWER AS ALWAYS BUT I JUST DROVE IT 35 MPH TO GET IT HOME THIS I WOULD THINK IS A GREAT BIG SAFETY ISSUE SH…

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STARTED CAR HAD CAR FOR 2YRS NOW NO PROBLEM WHAT SO EVER AND THE SERVICE TRACTION AND STABILITY CONTROL AND ALSO REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON AS WELL AS ENGINE LIGHT IT JERKED WENT IT SHIFTED AND DIDN'T ACT LIKE IT HAD IT POWER AS ALWAYS BUT I JUST DROVE IT 35 MPH TO GET IT HOME THIS I WOULD THINK IS A GREAT BIG SAFETY ISSUE SHOULDN'T GM HAVE A RECALL ON THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583616

40 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineTraction Control System

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO IS [XXX] EXITED TO GO TO MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND THE CAR JUST DIED COMPLETELY OUT OF NO WHERE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND BARELY GOT IT OFF THE ROAD CAR WOULDNT START BACK UP AND WAS FLASHING SERVICE STABILITRAK/ SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED I HAD TO WAIT 5 MIN…

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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO IS [XXX] EXITED TO GO TO MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND THE CAR JUST DIED COMPLETELY OUT OF NO WHERE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND BARELY GOT IT OFF THE ROAD CAR WOULDNT START BACK UP AND WAS FLASHING SERVICE STABILITRAK/ SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED I HAD TO WAIT 5 MINUTES AND THEN THE CAR STARTED THANK GOD MY WIFE WASNT DRIVING WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD OF HAPPEND BUT IT IS HER CAR AND WE NEED TO GET THIS RESOLVED ASAP BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT SO IM DRIVING THE IMPALA AND HOPE TO BE SAFE AND LET MY WIFE DRIVE MY CAR PLEASE HELP ASAP WE HAVE A [XXX] GIRL AND TWINS ON THE WAY. AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME MY WIFE HAS TOLD ME THIS HAS HAPPENED. ITS VERY SERIOUS AND COULD BE DEADLY!!! *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10579542

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineTraction Control System

IN MAY OF 2013 I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON MY DASH BOARD ABOUT STABILI TRACK, TRACTION CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER SO I COULD GET A DIAGNOSTIC, AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR BEHIND MY PEDAL. JUST THIS WEEKEND, SUNDAY APRIL 13, 2014. THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE DASHBOARD AGAIN. I'M GOING TO C…

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IN MAY OF 2013 I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON MY DASH BOARD ABOUT STABILI TRACK, TRACTION CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER SO I COULD GET A DIAGNOSTIC, AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR BEHIND MY PEDAL. JUST THIS WEEKEND, SUNDAY APRIL 13, 2014. THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE DASHBOARD AGAIN. I'M GOING TO CALL THE CHEVY DEALER THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME. THEN I'M GOING TO CALL GM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION IN THESE CARS. FROM VIEWING AND READING OTHER STORIES, THIS IS SOMETHING GM SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT AND ADDRESSED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579515

40,000 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON THE HOMESTRETCH OF A ROADTRIP FROM PA TO FL WHEN THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" , FOLLOWED BY "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE STARTED FLASHING. THE TWO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ALSO WENT OFF. SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS UNABLE TO FIND A GOOD PLACE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, AND I FIGURED…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON THE HOMESTRETCH OF A ROADTRIP FROM PA TO FL WHEN THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" , FOLLOWED BY "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE STARTED FLASHING. THE TWO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ALSO WENT OFF. SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS UNABLE TO FIND A GOOD PLACE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, AND I FIGURED LIKE MOST TIMES THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT GOES ON, THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I COULD WAIT TO DEAL WITH WHEN I GOT HOME. I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND THEN THE MESSAGE CHANGED AND SAID "DISABLING THROTTLE" OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT, AND I FELT THE ENGINE LOSING POWER. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE, DOING AROUND 55 MILES PER HOUR WITH CARS ALL AROUND ME. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY FOUR-WAY FLASHERS AND FORTUNATELY PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT LANE SLOWED DOWN AND LET ME COAST TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I SAT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. FINALLY AFTER A FEW MINUTES I DECIDED TO TRY STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND IT STARTED, WITH JUST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY. SINCE THEN IT HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE GAS PEDAL BUT THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578504

23,000 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING DOWN SIDE STREETS, MY CAR LOCKED UP. LATER MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. SEEMS TO GRAB AND PULL CAR IN A JERKING MOTION. TURNED OFF CONTROL FOR THE STABILITY BUT AFRAID TO DRIVE ON EXPRESSWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577381

49,200 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON I70 GOING 70 MPH AND OUT OF NOWHERE MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND 3 MESSAGES START APPEARING ON THE DASH. 1) SERVICE STABILTRAC, 2) SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, 3( ENGINE POWER REDUCING. MY CAR A 2011 CHEVY IMPALA SLOWS DOWN TO ABOUT 50. I GET IT GOING BACK TO 60 BUT NOT VERY EASILY. I KEEP GOING AND MERGE ONTO 4…

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I WAS DRIVING ON I70 GOING 70 MPH AND OUT OF NOWHERE MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND 3 MESSAGES START APPEARING ON THE DASH. 1) SERVICE STABILTRAC, 2) SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, 3( ENGINE POWER REDUCING. MY CAR A 2011 CHEVY IMPALA SLOWS DOWN TO ABOUT 50. I GET IT GOING BACK TO 60 BUT NOT VERY EASILY. I KEEP GOING AND MERGE ONTO 465 (INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA AREA). I COME INTO SLOWER TRAFFIC WHERE I NEED TO STOP. I APPLY MY BREAKS AND THE PEDAL WILL NOT ENGAGE. ALMOST HIT A CAR. ALSO WHEN I SLOWED DOWN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING BAD. I CONTINUE A LITTLE FARTHER IN SLOW TRAFFIC AND HAD TO STOP AGAIN, SAME THING WITH THE BREAKS. SO I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF I465. MY DAUGHTER HAD LOOKED UP THE ERROR MESSAGES ON THE INTERNET AND THERE SEEM TO BE A LOT ON THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ALL SAID THE SAME THING, AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT IT WAS FINE. I MADE IT HOME AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES SO FAR. ONCE AT A STOP SIGN AND THE SAME DAY AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT WORK. ONCE AGAIN THAT SAME WEEK I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND TOOK OFF FROM A RED LIGHT AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND THE ERROR MESSAGES AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT NOTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT TO GET IT FIXED, BUT AFTER READING SO MUCH ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THERE HAS TO BE AN ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. GM NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET INJURED OR WORSE DIE FROM THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567053

50,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CAR LIGHTED UP AND READ THE STABILITRAK WAS HAVING A PROBLEM AND REDUCED POWER...CAR SLOWED SUDDENLY. SHE WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. SHE PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE CAR, RESTARTED IT. THIS LAST WEEK, THIS IS NOW A MULTIPLE TIME PER DAY OCCURRENCE. LAST SUMMER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CAR LIGHTED UP AND READ THE STABILITRAK WAS HAVING A PROBLEM AND REDUCED POWER...CAR SLOWED SUDDENLY. SHE WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. SHE PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE CAR, RESTARTED IT. THIS LAST WEEK, THIS IS NOW A MULTIPLE TIME PER DAY OCCURRENCE. LAST SUMMER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, SHE TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER IN WATERVILLE, WHO HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER WHICH DID NOT SHOW ANY CODE. HE TOLD HER TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT AND IT PROBABLY GOT WET. SHE TOOK IT AGAIN TODAY TO ANOTHER GARAGE IN WATERVILLE, WHO HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER, AND IT DID NOT SAY ANYTHING WAS WRONG. SHE IS EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER TO THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY WITH MULTIPLE WARNINGS ABOUT THE STABILITRAK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567040

64,436 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR LOST SPEED DROP FROM 35 MPH TO 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRIANGLE WITH THE CAR AND SKID MARKS THEN IT KEPT FLASHING THE SERVICE STABILITRAK CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND IT STARTED TO JERK AND JUMP. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ISSUES OUT O…

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AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR LOST SPEED DROP FROM 35 MPH TO 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRIANGLE WITH THE CAR AND SKID MARKS THEN IT KEPT FLASHING THE SERVICE STABILITRAK CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND IT STARTED TO JERK AND JUMP. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ISSUES OUT OF THIS CAR FIRST IT WAS THE RIGHT HUB (EATING TIRES), THEN THE LEFT HUB (EATING MORE TIRES), THEN THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SHIFT COMPLETELY GONE (REPLACED EVERYTHING) NOW THIS PLUS THE FRONT TIRES ARE STILL GETTING ATE UP. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CHEVY IMPALA. I AM SO READY TO GET A HONDA. AS I SEE THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHY ISN'T IT A RECALL ON THESE PROBLEMS? NOBODY LIKES TOO LOOSE THEIR MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY GM IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHAT WILL GM DO IF ALL CUSTOMERS PROTEST ABOUT THESE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED ON WHETHER ITS FOR THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR GOVERNMENT SECTOR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566946

25,000 miles · Feb 28, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I STARTED MY CAR, AND AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES STARTED COMING UP REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL , SERVICE STABILITY TRACK. I PULLED BACK IN , I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE CAR SEEMED NORMAL AGAIN, I THEN ,STARTED GOING TO WORK, ABOUT A MILE FROM WORK THE SAME…

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I STARTED MY CAR, AND AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES STARTED COMING UP REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL , SERVICE STABILITY TRACK. I PULLED BACK IN , I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE CAR SEEMED NORMAL AGAIN, I THEN ,STARTED GOING TO WORK, ABOUT A MILE FROM WORK THE SAME MESSAGES STARTED COMING UP AND I DID THE SAME STEPS TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE TURNED IT ON AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HE STATED IT COULD BE THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. HOWEVER I WAS STATED THAT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT. ARE THEY REAL, THE HAVE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE PART AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS, THAT IS UNFAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566441

58,175 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10644053

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.