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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
28,855 miles · Feb 6, 2012
Air BagsSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT MIDDLE HEAD REST OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW OF THE ROADWAY WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE HEAD REST COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT PUSHED FLAT DOWN INTO THE COMPARTMENT. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT MIDDLE HEAD REST OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW OF THE ROADWAY WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE HEAD REST COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT PUSHED FLAT DOWN INTO THE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,855.

NHTSA ODI #10446783

8,303 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Seats

THE REAR HEADRESTS IN THE IMPALA ARE TERRIBLE. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN/ISSUE. THEY OBSTRUCT, OBSCURE, OR IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S CLEAR VIEW. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR FLAW. ANOTHER THING IS THE SIDE MIRRORS, WHY ARE THEY SOOOO TINY? SIDE MIRROR ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE M…

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THE REAR HEADRESTS IN THE IMPALA ARE TERRIBLE. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN/ISSUE. THEY OBSTRUCT, OBSCURE, OR IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S CLEAR VIEW. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR FLAW. ANOTHER THING IS THE SIDE MIRRORS, WHY ARE THEY SOOOO TINY? SIDE MIRROR ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM VISIBILTY. THE DRIVER OF ANY MOTOR VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROADWAY & OBJECTS SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE FROM ANY ANGLE!!!! AUTOMAKERS, KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN DESIGNING A VEHICLE. SAFETY FIRST!!!! DO NOT SACRIFICE SAFETY FOR STYLE!!!!!! *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445807

7 miles · Jan 12, 2012
SeatsVisibility

THE REAR VISIBILITY BOTH USING THE MIRROR AND TURNING YOUR HEAD IS COMPROMISED BY THE MIDDLE HEADREST LOCATED ON THE BACK SEAT. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO BE REMOVED BUT IS MADE INTO THE REAR SEAT. I BELIEVE IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE OTHER TWO HEADRESTS ALSO MAKE IT HARD TO SEE. I REALLY BELIEVE IT WAS AN A…

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THE REAR VISIBILITY BOTH USING THE MIRROR AND TURNING YOUR HEAD IS COMPROMISED BY THE MIDDLE HEADREST LOCATED ON THE BACK SEAT. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO BE REMOVED BUT IS MADE INTO THE REAR SEAT. I BELIEVE IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE OTHER TWO HEADRESTS ALSO MAKE IT HARD TO SEE. I REALLY BELIEVE IT WAS AN ALL AROUND BAD IDEA BY GMC. I ALSO GET A FILM ON MY WINDSHIELD LIKE I'VE BEEN SMOKING BUT NOBODY IN MY FAMILY SMOKES. I SUGGESTED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT MAY BE THE HEATER CORE BUT THEY ASSURED ME IT COULDN'T BE THE HEATER CORE. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP WASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443636

434 miles · Dec 31, 2011
SeatsVisibility

MY COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE IS VISIBILITY CAUSED BY THE REAR HEADRESTS WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. GM BUILT THE BACK SEAT WITH 3 LARGE HEADRESTS "WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED" THAT BLOCKS ALMOST THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, THE MOST I CAN SEE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS THE TOPS OF THE CAR(S) BEHIND ME, SOM…

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MY COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE IS VISIBILITY CAUSED BY THE REAR HEADRESTS WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. GM BUILT THE BACK SEAT WITH 3 LARGE HEADRESTS "WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED" THAT BLOCKS ALMOST THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, THE MOST I CAN SEE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS THE TOPS OF THE CAR(S) BEHIND ME, SOMETIMES NOT THAT MUCH. WHEN BACKING UP, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AROUND ALL THREE BACK HEADRESTS IN ORDER NOT TO HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. THESE BACK SEAT HEADRESTS CAN BE REPLACED BY BUYING THE 2012 IMPALA HEADREST COMPONENTS FROM GM WHICH COST AT LEAST $400.00 JUST FOR THE 3 PARTS NEEDED. I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE BACK SEAT HEADRESTS DUE TO THE HAZARD POSED BY THE HEADRESTS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441920

21,000 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THREE REAR HEADREST WERE ELEVATED TOO HIGH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTS SHOULD BE LOWERED OR THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE COME EQUIPPED WITH A BACK-UP CAMERA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THREE REAR HEADREST WERE ELEVATED TOO HIGH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTS SHOULD BE LOWERED OR THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE COME EQUIPPED WITH A BACK-UP CAMERA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10440982

7,500 miles · Dec 21, 2011
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT HEADRESTS WERE SITTING TOO HIGH, OBSCURING HER VISION OF THE ROADWAY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING BEHIND THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE OBSTRUCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT HEADRESTS WERE SITTING TOO HIGH, OBSCURING HER VISION OF THE ROADWAY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING BEHIND THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE OBSTRUCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD RESTS WERE DESIGNED IN A SPECIFIC MANNER AND COULD NOT BE REDESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,500. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ UPDATED 04/11/12

NHTSA ODI #10440866

3,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
SeatsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, HE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VIEW OF THE VEHICLE WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEADREST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD RES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, HE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VIEW OF THE VEHICLE WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEADREST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD REST COULD NOT BE REPLACED, REMOVED OR ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,100.

NHTSA ODI #10438583

20,223 miles · Nov 13, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DRIVING DOWNHILL A TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER BRAKE SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO BRAKE HARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHUDDERED AND FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE BUT I COULDN'T! ADDITIONALLY THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERED HORRIBLY SIDE TO SIDE. BRAKING ON THE REMAINDER OF THE HILL AND FOR A WHILE AFTER HAD …

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DRIVING DOWNHILL A TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER BRAKE SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO BRAKE HARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHUDDERED AND FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE BUT I COULDN'T! ADDITIONALLY THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERED HORRIBLY SIDE TO SIDE. BRAKING ON THE REMAINDER OF THE HILL AND FOR A WHILE AFTER HAD THE SAME CHATTERING, SHAKING, SHUDDERING, AND SORT OF BRAKE GRINDING FEELING MAKING ME FEEL LIKE I COULD NOT RELY ON THE BRAKES AND MAYBE THE STEERING WAS HAVING PROBLEMS TOO. SCARED ME AND FELT TERRIBLY UNSAFE!!!! THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT A YEAR AGO WITH THIS CAR IN A SIMILAR DOWNHILL SUDDEN BRAKING SITUATION. I DRIVE TO AVOID HAVING TO BRAKE SUDDENLY BUT SOMETIMES IT IS UNAVOIDABLE AND I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE BECAUSE IT FEELS TOO UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435431

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2011
Seats

THE MIDDLE HEADREST ON THE REAR SEAT IS TOO HIGH AND SIGNIFICANTLY OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434775

28,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE TO RUN TO THE STORE THE GAS GAUGE WAS READING HALF A TANK. THE STORE I RAN TO WAS 6 MILES UP THE ROAD, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND WAS COMING HOME I NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS BELOW A QUARTER OF A TANK. BY THE TIME I GOT BACK HOME (6 MILES AWAY) THE GAUGE WAS READING BETWEEN HALF AND A QUARTER TANK. I ALSO HAD…

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WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE TO RUN TO THE STORE THE GAS GAUGE WAS READING HALF A TANK. THE STORE I RAN TO WAS 6 MILES UP THE ROAD, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND WAS COMING HOME I NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS BELOW A QUARTER OF A TANK. BY THE TIME I GOT BACK HOME (6 MILES AWAY) THE GAUGE WAS READING BETWEEN HALF AND A QUARTER TANK. I ALSO HAD A 2007 SILVERADO THAT DID THE SAME THING, NOT SURE BUT MAYBE CHEVROLET NEEDS TO SEED A RECALL OUT FOR THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNITS. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER CHEVY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434757

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.