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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
110,000 miles · Jan 18, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE STABILITRAK/TRACTION CONTROL ON A 2011 IMPALA WITH 120,000 MILES. I HAVE FOUND OTHER PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY ARE ALL UNSURE AS TO WHAT IT IS. I HAVE PUT A NEW THROTTLE BODY IN, NEW SPARK PLUGS, CHANGE MY OIL FAITHFULLY EVE…

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I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE STABILITRAK/TRACTION CONTROL ON A 2011 IMPALA WITH 120,000 MILES. I HAVE FOUND OTHER PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY ARE ALL UNSURE AS TO WHAT IT IS. I HAVE PUT A NEW THROTTLE BODY IN, NEW SPARK PLUGS, CHANGE MY OIL FAITHFULLY EVERY 3,000 MILES. IT CONTINUES TO FLASH THE MESSAGE TO ME, DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME ACCELERATION, IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE AS FAR AS REDUCING MY ENGINE POWER AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND EVEN WHEN I JUST START MY CAR. I HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF, LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN IT SEEMS TO RESET BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR A FEW DAYS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS I AM READING ABOUT!

NHTSA ODI #10820781

100,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Electrical System

REAR DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. DISCOVERED BURNED-UP CONNECTOR IN A PLUG UNDER PASSENGER FOOTWELL FUSE BOX. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AFFECTING IMPALAS AND OTHER MODELS OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THIS WOULD THEREFORE APPEAR TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT. OUTCOMES INCLUDE REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO INABILITY TO DEFROST…

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REAR DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. DISCOVERED BURNED-UP CONNECTOR IN A PLUG UNDER PASSENGER FOOTWELL FUSE BOX. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AFFECTING IMPALAS AND OTHER MODELS OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THIS WOULD THEREFORE APPEAR TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT. OUTCOMES INCLUDE REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO INABILITY TO DEFROST/DEMIST REAR WINDOW AND FIRE HAZARD DUE TO OVERHEATED CONNECTOR

NHTSA ODI #10820086

106,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND MIDDLE SEAT BUCKLES BECAME LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PIN DISINTEGRATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND MIDDLE SEAT BUCKLES BECAME LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PIN DISINTEGRATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10819311

44,815 miles · Jan 6, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENGINE STABILITY POWER REDUCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RE-LEARNED IDLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENGINE STABILITY POWER REDUCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RE-LEARNED IDLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,815. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ *CN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10818376

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2015
EnginePower Train

WHEN YOUR AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE GIVES A HARD JERK LIKE SOMEONE HAS REAR ENDED YOU. ALL OF THE IMPALA'S HAVE A FAILED TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS WHEN IT JERKS VERY HARD CAUSING SOMEONE TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING WILL COME ON LETTING YOU KNO…

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WHEN YOUR AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE GIVES A HARD JERK LIKE SOMEONE HAS REAR ENDED YOU. ALL OF THE IMPALA'S HAVE A FAILED TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS WHEN IT JERKS VERY HARD CAUSING SOMEONE TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING WILL COME ON LETTING YOU KNOW THE PROBLEM. YEARS 2000 TO 2015 ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY GETS INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10789153

90,000 miles · Nov 8, 2015
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS REAR ENDED, SPUN AROUND TWO TO THREE TIMES; HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON BEFORE COMING TO A STOP; AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE IGNITION RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED OVER THE PAST SUMMER AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10789128

84,000 miles · Oct 22, 2015
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10785338

34,500 miles · Oct 13, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ENGINE POWER DOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ENGINE POWER DOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500.

NHTSA ODI #10781664

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

76,750 miles · Oct 4, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVATED THE ENGINE IDLE DECREASED AND THE SYSTEM COULD NOT LOCATE THE NEW THROTTLE POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE ENG POWER REDUCTION AND FAULT WARNINGS ON ENG TCS AND SCS TO LIGHT IN ORDER TO DRIVE I HAD FAULTS CLEARED AND TURNED OFF SYSTEMS. GM SAYS THE CODES HAVE TO BE READ TO FIX.UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10779558

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.