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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

Engine complaints

125 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering

THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS SHAKING WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE MAKES WEIRD SOUNDS WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE JERKS ALL THE TIME OR SOMETHING WHEN TRYING TO STEP ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE WON'T GO

NHTSA ODI #10780234

100,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10764133

83,679 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHAKE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHAKE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,679. MA 10/8 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10749172

40,000 miles · May 29, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WE OWN BOTH A 2011 AND A 2013 CHEVY IMPALA. BOTH VEHICLES GRIND AND HESITATE. THEY BOTH ACT THIS WAY WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A LIGHT, BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND ANY OTHER TIME IT FEELS NECESSARY TO DO SO. EXCEPT WHILE BEING CHECKED BY THE MECHANIC. WE OWNED A 2007 IMPALA THAT DID THE SAME THIN…

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WE OWN BOTH A 2011 AND A 2013 CHEVY IMPALA. BOTH VEHICLES GRIND AND HESITATE. THEY BOTH ACT THIS WAY WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A LIGHT, BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND ANY OTHER TIME IT FEELS NECESSARY TO DO SO. EXCEPT WHILE BEING CHECKED BY THE MECHANIC. WE OWNED A 2007 IMPALA THAT DID THE SAME THING. OUR REMEDY, PUSH THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON TO THE "OFF" POSITION. STOPPED MAKING THE NOISE AND NO LONGER HESITATES AFTER PUTTING IT IN DRIVE. OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO DO THIS EACH AND EVERY TIME WE GET IN THE CAR. NO MORE BUYING CHEVY'S FOR US.

NHTSA ODI #10722114

24,000 miles · May 23, 2015
Engine

WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW DOWN. DEALER SAYS CAR IS OK. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE CAR WILL RUN ALONG AT ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR FROM A STOPPED POSITION WITHOUT TOUCHING ACCELERATOR. VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE ON ICE OR SNOW.

NHTSA ODI #10721155

88,000 miles · Mar 29, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE COMES ON, THEN, THE MESSAGES "SERVICE STABILITY TRAK" THEN "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". AND THEN THE CAR SHUTS DOWN I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CAR STARTS UP AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE COMES ON, THEN, THE MESSAGES "SERVICE STABILITY TRAK" THEN "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". AND THEN THE CAR SHUTS DOWN I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CAR STARTS UP AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN. EVERY COUPLE MONTHS THE SENSOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WITH THE ABOVE MESSAGE-WITHOUT CAR SHUTTING DOWN. THE LIGHTS COME ON A LOT MORE OFTEN NOW-ALTHOUGH THE CAR DOES NOT SHUT DOWN, IT'S THE FEAR OF THE POSSIBILITY. WHEN GOOGLING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'M NOT SURE WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. I'M BRINGING IN MY CAR TOMORROW TO GET FIXED. HOWEVER, ITS UPSETTING THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON A GMC TRUCK IN 2008 FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF YEAR OF MILES OF THE IMPALA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702423

95,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. WITHIN TWO (2) MINUTES OF THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT IT SELF OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE GOING 55 MPH. I LOST STEERING, HAD …

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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. WITHIN TWO (2) MINUTES OF THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT IT SELF OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE GOING 55 MPH. I LOST STEERING, HAD NO POWER, OR BRAKING. I THREW THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET IT STARTED IT WHILE I WAS IN MOTION WITH NO POWER. THE IMPALA DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. THE CAR WASN'T RESPONDING BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING / BRAKING WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE IMPALA WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" WITHOUT WARNING. I LET THE CAR COST FOR A WHILE UNTIL I COULD FIND A SAFE SPOT TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I REALLY HAD TO MUSCLE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SOME SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO GET IT TO TURN. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BEFORE THIS ISSUE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE "PEDALASSEMBLY" GAS PEDAL SENSOR WENT BAD, CAUSING THE 2011 IMPALA TO GO INTO "LIMP MODE" WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700572

95,620 miles · Feb 18, 2015
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

2/17/2015 WAS THE SECOND EVENT. I WAS DRIVING APPROX- 65 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN WHEN MY ELECTRONIC DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED STABILITRACK/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. AS THE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKE FUNCTION. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT A UP HILL GRADE, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO JERK THE…

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2/17/2015 WAS THE SECOND EVENT. I WAS DRIVING APPROX- 65 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN WHEN MY ELECTRONIC DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED STABILITRACK/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. AS THE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKE FUNCTION. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT A UP HILL GRADE, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO ROLL ACROSS THE LANE OF TRAFFIC BESIDE ME TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD COMPLETELY AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A LOGGING TRUCK. AFTER REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION FOR A FEW MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE CAR WITHOUT ANY HESITATION. THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON AT THIS TIME. I DID CONTACT ONSTAR AND HAVE THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH REVEALED A PROBLEM WITH SUPPOSED FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP YET. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS SITES THAT I HAVE REVIEWED, LOOKS LIKE GM WOULD DO A RECALL AND INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684024

95,620 miles · Feb 18, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

2/17/2015 WAS THE SECOND EVENT. I WAS DRIVING APPROX- 65 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN WHEN MY ELECTRONIC DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED STABILITRACK/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. AS THE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKE FUNCTION. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT A UP HILL GRADE, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO JERK THE…

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2/17/2015 WAS THE SECOND EVENT. I WAS DRIVING APPROX- 65 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN WHEN MY ELECTRONIC DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED STABILITRACK/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. AS THE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKE FUNCTION. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT A UP HILL GRADE, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO ROLL ACROSS THE LANE OF TRAFFIC BESIDE ME TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD COMPLETELY AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A LOGGING TRUCK. AFTER REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION FOR A FEW MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE CAR WITHOUT ANY HESITATION. THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON AT THIS TIME. I DID CONTACT ONSTAR AND HAVE THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH REVEALED A PROBLEM WITH SUPPOSED FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP YET. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS SITES THAT I HAVE REVIEWED, LOOKS LIKE GM WOULD DO A RECALL AND INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684014

114,694 miles · Feb 15, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering

REDUCED ENGINE SIGNAL CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER SERVICE TRACTION, BRAKES, STEERING, CAME ON THEN CAR SHUT OFF NO POWER TO ANYTHING. BRAKES, STEERING NOTHING WORKED. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TRY A RESTART NOTHING. GOT CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP TOOK THE KEY OUT. THE DASH MADE A WEIRD NOISE ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING RESET. I PUT KEYS BACK IN TUR…

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REDUCED ENGINE SIGNAL CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER SERVICE TRACTION, BRAKES, STEERING, CAME ON THEN CAR SHUT OFF NO POWER TO ANYTHING. BRAKES, STEERING NOTHING WORKED. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TRY A RESTART NOTHING. GOT CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP TOOK THE KEY OUT. THE DASH MADE A WEIRD NOISE ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING RESET. I PUT KEYS BACK IN TURNED THE KEY CAR STARTED NO PROBLEM ONLY THING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK VEHICLE HOME WENT BACK LATER THAT NIGHT. STARTED IT UP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST ONCE AWEEK. 2ND ISSUE HEATER BLOWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD JUST SHUT OFF WEATHER -2 PLUS A WIND CHILL. HAD IT SERVICED THEY REPLACED A MODULE BLOWER RAN FINE FOR 4 DAYS, WEATHER ADVISORY WINDCHILL TEMP IS -10 45 MILES AWAY FROM HOME HEATER BLOWER NOT WORKING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683544

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.