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.
I NOTICED MY REAR DEFROST HAS QUITE WORKING. I FIGURED IT WAS A FUSE SO I WASN'T TO WORRIED ABOUT IT. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SNOW RECENTLY AND FIGURED I BETTER CHECK MY FUSES. THE RELAY IS WORKING THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD. WE TRACED TO WIRING THROUGH THE FIRE WALL AND DOWN TO WHERE IT COMES INTO THE VEHICLE (DOWN BY YOUR FEET)…
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I NOTICED MY REAR DEFROST HAS QUITE WORKING. I FIGURED IT WAS A FUSE SO I WASN'T TO WORRIED ABOUT IT. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SNOW RECENTLY AND FIGURED I BETTER CHECK MY FUSES. THE RELAY IS WORKING THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD. WE TRACED TO WIRING THROUGH THE FIRE WALL AND DOWN TO WHERE IT COMES INTO THE VEHICLE (DOWN BY YOUR FEET). THERE IS A WIRING THERE AND ONCE WE DISCONNECTED IT WE NOTICED IT IS BURNT VERY BAD. WHERE THE TWO PIECES CONNECT TOGETHER IS MELTED AND IS BLACK. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY BAD IF IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #11390711
136,000 miles · Dec 28, 2019
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper
THE REAR DEFOGGER ON MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. INVESTIGATION LEAD TO A VIDEO ON THE INTERNET SHOWING A MELTED CONNECTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FUSE BOX. FOLLOWING THE STEPS IN THE VIDEO I FOUND THE EXACT SAME BURNED UP CONNECTOR UNDER THE CARPET OF MY VEHICLE. PHOTOS INCLUDED. THE CONNECTOR WAS CLEARLY NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE TH…
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THE REAR DEFOGGER ON MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. INVESTIGATION LEAD TO A VIDEO ON THE INTERNET SHOWING A MELTED CONNECTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FUSE BOX. FOLLOWING THE STEPS IN THE VIDEO I FOUND THE EXACT SAME BURNED UP CONNECTOR UNDER THE CARPET OF MY VEHICLE. PHOTOS INCLUDED. THE CONNECTOR WAS CLEARLY NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE CURRENT THE FUSE WAS ALLOWING TO FLOW THROUGH. THIS IS A FIRE RISK AS WELL AS AN INCONVENIENCE AS NOW MY REAR DEFOGGER IS INOPERATIVE. I NEVER SMELLED THE BURNING PART BUT LOST CLEARING ABILITY ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA ODI #11291727
51,000 miles · Apr 27, 2017
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING USE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY BEARING IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING USE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY BEARING IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.
NHTSA ODI #10981098
500 miles · Aug 25, 2013
Visibility/wiper
AFTER THE NOVELTY OF MY NEW CARE WORE OFF, I BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OF LIMITED VISIBILITY WHEN LOOKING OUT THE REAR WINDOW. THE MIDDLE HEADREST IN THE BACK SEAT OBSCURES MUCH OF THE WINDOW! I AM EXTRA CAREFUL WHEN BACKING UP BECAUSE OF THIS LIMITED VISIBILITY. I AM CONCERNED WHEN MY KIDS DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE, AS YOU KN…
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AFTER THE NOVELTY OF MY NEW CARE WORE OFF, I BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OF LIMITED VISIBILITY WHEN LOOKING OUT THE REAR WINDOW. THE MIDDLE HEADREST IN THE BACK SEAT OBSCURES MUCH OF THE WINDOW! I AM EXTRA CAREFUL WHEN BACKING UP BECAUSE OF THIS LIMITED VISIBILITY. I AM CONCERNED WHEN MY KIDS DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, YOUNGER DRIVERS DON'T ALWAYS LISTEN TO THEIR PARENTS. IN ADDITION, MY DAUGHTER ISN'T NEARLY AS TALL AS I AM AND THE BACKSEAT MIDDLE HEADREST IS EVEN MORE OF AN ISSUE WITH SHORTER PEOPLE. THIS ISN'T A DEFECT, PER SE, BUT JUST AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS DESIGN FLAW. LOOKING ON YOUR WEBSITE, I AM NOW AWARE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS CONCERN. I AM GLAD GM REDESIGNED THE 2012 MODEL TO TAKE THIS HAZARD AWAY BUT WHAT ABOUT FOR THIS 2011 MODEL YEAR? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537152
3 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD REST IN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LARGE AND THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE TOO SMALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD REST IN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LARGE AND THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE TOO SMALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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