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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

What owners actually said

505 reports
108,135 miles · Dec 11, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER AND CHECK ON IT, THE CAR CUT OFF NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES AND COULD NO LONGER STEER THE CAR AT ALL. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START AGAIN, AS I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND NOT AS SAFELY OFF THE…

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SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER AND CHECK ON IT, THE CAR CUT OFF NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES AND COULD NO LONGER STEER THE CAR AT ALL. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START AGAIN, AS I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND NOT AS SAFELY OFF THE ROAD AS I NEEDED TO BE, IT TURNED ON AND OFF AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10934535

78,000 miles · Dec 10, 2016
Electrical System

WIRE SUPPLYING POWER TO REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS FOUND BURNT AT HARNESS CONNECTOR LOCATED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE NEAR LOWER FUSE PANEL.

NHTSA ODI #10934440

135,000 miles · Nov 26, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

STABLITRAC. SERVICE GOES ON. ENGINE SPEED IS REDUCED AND THIS IS HAPPENING INTERNMENT

NHTSA ODI #10928063

112,000 miles · Nov 23, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A BEEPING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE WARNING MESSAGE ALSO DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE ISSUE WOULD BE CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A BEEPING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE WARNING MESSAGE ALSO DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE ISSUE WOULD BE CORRECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927700

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

CHECK ENGINE - THEN POWER REDUCTION - DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR - JERKING ALL OVER THE PLACE - THEN STABLETECK LIGHT COMES ON... EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY - AND THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHATS GOING ON... GM FIX IT PLEASE... I DON'T HAVE 80,000 AND NOW A BUSTED VEHICLE - WON'T BUY AN…

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CHECK ENGINE - THEN POWER REDUCTION - DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR - JERKING ALL OVER THE PLACE - THEN STABLETECK LIGHT COMES ON... EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY - AND THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHATS GOING ON... GM FIX IT PLEASE... I DON'T HAVE 80,000 AND NOW A BUSTED VEHICLE - WON'T BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT EVER... OH YEAH - RETIRED FROM GM FAMILY

NHTSA ODI #10924894

65,280 miles · Oct 23, 2016
Wheels

MY CAR HAS WARN OUT TWO SETS OF TIRES ON THE REAR . THE STILL IS SHOWING . I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THE FRONT TIRES TO WARE OUT TWICE AS FAST AS THE REAR. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT HAPPENING WITH THIS IMPALA. FOR SOME REASON THE STEEL IN THE TIRES ARE ALWAYS SHOWING CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. I DON'T DRIVE MUCH SO THIS IS A BIG PRO…

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MY CAR HAS WARN OUT TWO SETS OF TIRES ON THE REAR . THE STILL IS SHOWING . I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THE FRONT TIRES TO WARE OUT TWICE AS FAST AS THE REAR. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT HAPPENING WITH THIS IMPALA. FOR SOME REASON THE STEEL IN THE TIRES ARE ALWAYS SHOWING CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. I DON'T DRIVE MUCH SO THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME WITH THE TIRES THAT CAME ON THE CAR, I BOUGHT A NEW SET AND HAD THE CAR ALIGNED. IT HAS DONE IT AGAIN SO I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10918113

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2016
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS HAD SEIZED IN THE FRONT AND THE REAR WHEN, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE PERFORME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS HAD SEIZED IN THE FRONT AND THE REAR WHEN, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED WHICH WAS UNREASONABLE FOR THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10915537

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT IT STARTED SHAKING THEN A MESSAGE CAME UP THAT SAID SERVICE STABILITRACK AFTER IT TURN OFF AND WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON I HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE MAIN ST TO AVOID GETTING HIT OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT I ENDED UP GETTING IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE CALLED A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT AND HE SAYS IT…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT IT STARTED SHAKING THEN A MESSAGE CAME UP THAT SAID SERVICE STABILITRACK AFTER IT TURN OFF AND WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON I HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE MAIN ST TO AVOID GETTING HIT OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT I ENDED UP GETTING IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE CALLED A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT AND HE SAYS IT MIGHT BE MY MOTOR SO I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALER IN LAKEWOOD AND THEY TOLD ME MY WARRANTY WAS UP LAST YEAR SO THEY SAY THEY COULD NOT DO NOTHING FOR ME I HAVE TO FIX IT OUT OF MY POCKET THIS CAR HAD ALREADY TOO MUCH PROBLEMS FROM THE START MY TRANSMISSION BROKE ALSO UNDER 60000 MILES LUCKILY IS WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT NOW I GOT NO CAR NO MONEY AND I'M STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR I GOT ABOUT 2 YRS LEFT TO FINISH IT AND IT DIDN'T EVEN GET TO 100000 MILES I GOT PLAYED ON BUYING THIS CAR ALL MY HARD WORK MONEY IS BEING TAKEN FOR THEM SELLING ME A PROBLEMATIC CAR I SPOKE TO GENERAL MOTORS AND ALL THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO TALK TO A SENIOR ADVISOR IT'S BECOME DANGEROUS TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS TO IT IT STOPS WERE EVER NOW I HAVE A FAMILY KIDS I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR NO MORE I NEED TO KNOW WHAT COULD BE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IF NOT I HAVE TO PROCEED WITH LEGAL MATTERS AND ALSO GET A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT STARTED CAUSE THEIRS MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THE SAME CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10915064

77,003 miles · Oct 9, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. 77000 MILES ON MY 2011 IMPALA. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN HARD. DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH- THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. VERY SCARY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT. I WAS FEARFUL BECAUSE THE STREET I WAS ON WAS ONLY ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION, AND NOT MUCH …

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TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. 77000 MILES ON MY 2011 IMPALA. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN HARD. DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH- THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. VERY SCARY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT. I WAS FEARFUL BECAUSE THE STREET I WAS ON WAS ONLY ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION, AND NOT MUCH OF A SHOULDER. I FELT VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. THIS I BELIEVE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT A VERY SLOW SPEED TO A DEALERSHIP THAT WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. SAD PART I WAS OVER 300 MILES FROM HOME. TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE CAUSED HEAVY METAL DEBRIS IN THE TRANSMISSION LEAVING ME WITH A BILL TOTALING $3368.52. (PLUS OTHER EXPENSES DUE TO MY DISTANCE FROM HOME.)

NHTSA ODI #10914964

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.