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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.

About this comparison →

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
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.

NHTSA ODI #10478500

35,700 miles · Sep 22, 2012
SeatsVehicle Speed Control

AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THIS SUMMER I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC PLUS I HAD TO REALLY PRESS HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET POWER ON SMALL INCLINES. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE ENGINE LIGHT ISN'T …

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AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THIS SUMMER I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC PLUS I HAD TO REALLY PRESS HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET POWER ON SMALL INCLINES. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE ENGINE LIGHT ISN'T ON THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE. SO I TOOK THE MECHANIC FOR A LITTLE DRIVE AND HE STILL COULDN'T FEEL ANYTHING WRONG OR HEAR THE SLIGHT SQUEAK IN THE GAS PEDAL BUT FINALLY TOLD ME ABOUT THE SENSORS IN THE PEDAL AND THAT HE WOULD LUBE IT. AFTER HE LUBED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE RAN GREAT FOR AWHILE AND NOW IT IS STARTING AGAIN AND THE GAS PEDALS SQUEAK IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN DEPRESSING IT. THE THING IS MY FULL WARRANTY HAS NOW EXPIRED AND I DOUBT THAT CHEVY WOULD COVER ANY COSTS. ANOTHER THING IS THE HEADRESTS IN THE BACK SEAT ARE WAY TOO BIG. YOU PRACTICALLY HAVE TO DISLOCATE YOUR SHOULDER TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW WHEN BACKING UP; THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR VISION. THEY NEED TO HAVE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE WHOLE BENCH AND GET RID OF THESE HIGH HEADRESTS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476732

42,000 miles · Sep 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE 42,000 ON MY 2011 CHEVY IMPALA AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THEN REDUCE ENGINE POWER AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. I HAVE READ IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME EXACT THING AND NO RECALL OR ANY KIND OF CA…

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I HAVE 42,000 ON MY 2011 CHEVY IMPALA AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THEN REDUCE ENGINE POWER AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. I HAVE READ IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME EXACT THING AND NO RECALL OR ANY KIND OF CARE IS COMING FROM GM.... AND THOSE OF US THAT ARE STILL PAYING FOR OUR CARS ARE GETTING THE SHORT END OF THE STICK... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476579

11,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Seats

CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BECAUSE THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT HEADREST IS VERY TALL. THIS HEADREST IS NOT PRESENT ON THE 2012 IMPALA, SO THIS IS AN ISSUE. ALSO, TURNING AND TRYING TO LOOK OUT THE BACK WINDOW IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE OF HIGH REAR SEAT HEADRESTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475697

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2012
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 TIRES, SIZE: P225/55R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD BLOWN FROM THE INSIDE WALL BUT THE OUTER WALL WAS STILL HOLING AIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE TIRES. THE TIRES WER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 TIRES, SIZE: P225/55R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD BLOWN FROM THE INSIDE WALL BUT THE OUTER WALL WAS STILL HOLING AIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10475274

33,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT UP TO 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKES AND RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT UP TO 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKES AND RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILS WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS. UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10471760

22,500 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Seats

WE, LIKE OTHERS, DIDN'T REALIZE HOW TALL THE THREE REAR HEADRESTS WERE WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CENTER HEADREST IS ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM; IT CREATES A BLINDSPOT AND TO ME IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. GM REALLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS WE OWNERS WHO ARE STUCK WITH THIS; THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM BECA…

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WE, LIKE OTHERS, DIDN'T REALIZE HOW TALL THE THREE REAR HEADRESTS WERE WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CENTER HEADREST IS ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM; IT CREATES A BLINDSPOT AND TO ME IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. GM REALLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS WE OWNERS WHO ARE STUCK WITH THIS; THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY REMOVED THAT CENTER HEADREST ON THE 2012 MODEL. IN THE MEANTIME, SO FAR, THEY'VE IGNORED THEIR BIG MESS UP AND DO NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE 2011 MODEL. IF WE'D KNOWN WHAT AN ISSUE THIS WAS GOING TO BE WE WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS CAR; IT'S BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S ALSO GOT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. GM EITHER NEEDS TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION, SUCH AS HAVING AN UPHOLSTERY SHOP REMOVE THE CENTER HEADREST OR REPLACE THE SEAT WITH THE NEW MODEL. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY'LL ACTUALLY CARE????????????? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471726

40,000 miles · Aug 17, 2012
Engine

I HAVE A CHEVY IMPALA, 2011, AND A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING IT THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO A SHOP, IT WENT OFF. IT CAME ON AGAIN YESTERDAY AND MY ENGINE POWER ALL BUT SHUT DOWN, I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THOUGHT I WOULDN'T MAKE IT. AFTER RESEARCHING, I SEE THAT CHEVY …

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I HAVE A CHEVY IMPALA, 2011, AND A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING IT THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO A SHOP, IT WENT OFF. IT CAME ON AGAIN YESTERDAY AND MY ENGINE POWER ALL BUT SHUT DOWN, I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THOUGHT I WOULDN'T MAKE IT. AFTER RESEARCHING, I SEE THAT CHEVY HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS. WHY ARE THEY NOT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM? THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471304

200 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CENTER HEADREST OBSTRUCTED THE REAR VIEW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE HEADREST DESIGN COULD NOT BE ALTERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 7,200. ..UPDATED 09/04/1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CENTER HEADREST OBSTRUCTED THE REAR VIEW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE HEADREST DESIGN COULD NOT BE ALTERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 7,200. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF UPDATED 09/12/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468988

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2012
Visibility

THE VISION OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW IS VERY POOR SINCE THERE ARE 3 HEAD RESTS IN THE BACK SEAT. THE CENTER ONE BLOCKS MUCH OF THE VISION. IT IS EASIER TO SEE A TRUCK OR AN SUV BEHIND YOU BUT HARD TO SEE ANOTHER CAR ESPECIALLY THE SMALLER TYPE. THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ARE MUCH SMALLER COMPARED TO THE 2003 I USE TO OWN. I WAS TOTALLY…

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THE VISION OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW IS VERY POOR SINCE THERE ARE 3 HEAD RESTS IN THE BACK SEAT. THE CENTER ONE BLOCKS MUCH OF THE VISION. IT IS EASIER TO SEE A TRUCK OR AN SUV BEHIND YOU BUT HARD TO SEE ANOTHER CAR ESPECIALLY THE SMALLER TYPE. THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ARE MUCH SMALLER COMPARED TO THE 2003 I USE TO OWN. I WAS TOTALLY HAPPY WITH MY 2003 WHICH IS WHY I GOT A USED 2011. I HAVE ADDED ON THE SMALL STICK ON MIRRORS BUT THEY DO NOT HELP MUCH. WHY CAN GM MAKE SUCH A CHANGE? TO ME THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET A LOT OF OTHER 2011 IMPALA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. GM SAVES MONEY WITH NO REGARD TO SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464619

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.