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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

Engine complaints

125 reports
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127,000 miles · Jan 21, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, ONCE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND AGAIN TODAY, MY 2011 CHEV IMPALA LTZ DISPLAYED A SERIES OF ROTATING ALERT MESSAGES -- 1. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL 2. SERVICE STABILITRAK 3. ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON AN OPEN ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING VERY RO…

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ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, ONCE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND AGAIN TODAY, MY 2011 CHEV IMPALA LTZ DISPLAYED A SERIES OF ROTATING ALERT MESSAGES -- 1. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL 2. SERVICE STABILITRAK 3. ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON AN OPEN ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY AND SLOWED DOWN AND THE ABOVE 3 MESSAGES REPEATEDLY DISPLAYED ONE AFTER THE OTHER. ALSO 2 YELLOW LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THEN REMAINED ON -- THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT (I THINK). WHEN I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE CHEV DEALERSHIP A YEAR AGO, I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. (AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IF IT ISN'T BROKEN WHEN I TAKE IT IN, THE SERVICE DEPT WOULD MOST CHALLENGED TO FIX IT.) TODAY, WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE TO PARK. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, WAITED A MOMENT AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. THE SAME 3 MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED WITH THE TWO YELLOW LIGHTS STAYING ON. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR 3 OR 4 HOURS LATER, ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. THE 3 REFERENCED ALERTS WERE NOT DISPLAYED. I AM GETTING READY TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WITH THIS PROBLEM. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE AS TO HOW TO PROCEED?

NHTSA ODI #11063959

63,000 miles · Dec 25, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

WHEN TAKING LEFT TURNS THE CAR MAKES A LOUD GRIND NOISE THEN THE STABILITY CONTROLL WILL TURN ON. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STABILITY CONTROLL LIGHT POPPED ON WHILE DRIVING WHILE ALSO HAVING ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHICH THEN APPLIED MY BRAKES CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GO OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11056328

145,000 miles · Oct 13, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, STABILITRAC LIGHT, AND ENGINE LIGHT ALL CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO START JERKING AND SHIFTING HARD, ALSO ENGINE RUNNING LIKE IT HAS A MISFIRE NOW. BEFORE THIS BEGAN THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND SHIFTING PERFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11033299

94,000 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY, CHECK ENGINE, AND ENGINE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT DECELERATED THE VEHICLE TO 10 MPH; HOWEVER, THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY, CHECK ENGINE, AND ENGINE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT DECELERATED THE VEHICLE TO 10 MPH; HOWEVER, THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THERE WAS NO ANSWER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11011612

85,000 miles · Jun 4, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY ALERTED "SERVICE STABILTRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO UTILIZE CRUISE CONTROL ANYMORE AND IT STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. THEN MY VEHICLE STARTED TO JERKILY MOVE & THEN IT ALERTED "STARTER DISABLED SERVICE T…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY ALERTED "SERVICE STABILTRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO UTILIZE CRUISE CONTROL ANYMORE AND IT STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. THEN MY VEHICLE STARTED TO JERKILY MOVE & THEN IT ALERTED "STARTER DISABLED SERVICE THROTTLE" AND MY CAR SHUT DOWN (STEERING ALTERED & CAR SHUT OFF). I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD & TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR (UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES). DID I MENTION I HAD MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED? THIS WAS TERRIFYING AS MY CAR JUST STOPPED-I HAD MINIMAL WARNING & WHEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IT COULD'VE BEEN A LOT WORSE. AFTER READING HOW FREQUENTLY THIS HAPPENS, WHY HASN'T IT BEEN RECALLED?

NHTSA ODI #10993052

187,000 miles · Feb 28, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

SERVICE STABILITY TRAC AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR STARTED JERKING AND MAKING NOISES WHEN STARTING CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10957543

144,855 miles · Feb 28, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY, COASTED TO STOP ON SHOULDER. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. WAITED 5 MINUTES THEN ENGINE RESTARTED ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED BEFORE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING: SHUTTING DOWN THROTTLE

NHTSA ODI #10957506

88,000 miles · Feb 21, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

MY SERVICE STABILITRACK, REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD ALMOST NO BRAKE PEDAL. I COULDN'T STOP AT THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE EXIT, LUCKILY NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND. IF I HAD BEEN ON A MAIN STREET AT 45MPR AND HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT I WOULD HAVE NEVER STOPPED ON …

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MY SERVICE STABILITRACK, REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD ALMOST NO BRAKE PEDAL. I COULDN'T STOP AT THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE EXIT, LUCKILY NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND. IF I HAD BEEN ON A MAIN STREET AT 45MPR AND HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT I WOULD HAVE NEVER STOPPED ON TIME. I'M VERY LUCKY NO CARS WERE AT THE LIGHT WAITING OR COMING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION WITH THE GREEN LIGHT. I SEE THIS PROBLEM ALL OVER EDMUNDS AND ON YOU TUBE AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL IT'S 100% CHEVROLET. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL. THERE ARE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON EDMUNDS AND YOU TUBE. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YOU TUBE VIDEO HAS A DIFFERENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM....FROM PULLING OUT THE FUSE TO THE STABILITRACK TO OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A DEATH TO GET THE ATTENTION OF CHEVROLET. THE LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW TIMES BEFORE BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. USUALLY IT CAME ON AND I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IT WOULD BE FINE......SO HOW COULD THIS BE ANYTHING BUT A MALFUNCTION IF IT GOES OFF AND ON AT ANY WHIM. THEY MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS TO BE VERY PREVALENT AND AGAIN FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT'S ALWAYS A CHEVROLET.

NHTSA ODI #10955717

60,000 miles · Jan 8, 2017
Engine

THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AND BOGS DOWN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $300 TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT, AND NO ONE CAN BECAUSE THERE IS NO DASHBOARD LIGHT THAT COMES ON. IT HAPPENS MAINLY AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #10940379

117,000 miles · Dec 17, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, VEHICLE CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET DURING RUSH HOUR. PEOPLE COULD NOT PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF STREET. TRANSMISSION /ENGINE LOCKED

NHTSA ODI #10935939

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.