Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
770–25K
8225–50K
9150–75K
7975–100K
67100–150K
14150K+
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLANETARY GEAR FAILED. THE MECHANIC REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON JULY 12, 2019. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,908.
NHTSA ODI #11233346
3,000 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY A POLICE TROOPER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, IT CONTINUED TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY A POLICE TROOPER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, IT CONTINUED TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
NHTSA ODI #11129962
60,000 miles · Oct 11, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineExterior Lighting
WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP THE CAR JERKS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS TRYING TO CATCH UP AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. IT'S AN ON AND OFF PROBLEM BUT IT HAPPENS IN THE RAIN AND IS DANGEROUS THE DEALER CHANGED THE TRANS OIL AND IT STILL DOES IT. NEXT THE CAR GOES INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND "SERVICE STABILITRAK" …
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WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP THE CAR JERKS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS TRYING TO CATCH UP AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. IT'S AN ON AND OFF PROBLEM BUT IT HAPPENS IN THE RAIN AND IS DANGEROUS THE DEALER CHANGED THE TRANS OIL AND IT STILL DOES IT. NEXT THE CAR GOES INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT LET ME FINISH MY HIGHWAY DRIVE SAFELY, NO ONE AT THE DEALER CAN HELP WITH THIS EXCEPT TO SAY IT WILL CAST A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX. HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT AND I BOUGHT EXPENSIVE LIGHTS LAST TIME AND ONE IS ALREADY BURNT OUT. I HAVE ONLY 1 PAYMENT LEFT AND THE CAR IS READY FOR THE JUNKYARD, YOU WOULD THINK AFTER $28000.00 IT WOULD LAST A LITTLE LONGER. WHAT HAPPENED TO GM??
NHTSA ODI #10915203
50,000 miles · Aug 28, 2014
EngineExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR HAD NOT YET BEEN MANUFACTURED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR HAD NOT YET BEEN MANUFACTURED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS AND THE ENGINE HOT/ AC OFF INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10629148
39,421 miles · Nov 10, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
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.
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.
2011 Chevrolet Impala Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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