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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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98,110 miles · May 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

GOT A MESSAGE ON MY DASH A FEW MONTHS AGO ABOUT "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WHILE DRIVING. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT LIT UP ALSO. PARKED CAR AND TURNED CAR OFF THEN ON...MESSAGE GONE. TOOK IT INTO SERVICE...SHOWED NO ERROR CODES. TODAY (5/2/16), IT DID IT AGAIN WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SIMULTANEO…

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GOT A MESSAGE ON MY DASH A FEW MONTHS AGO ABOUT "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WHILE DRIVING. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT LIT UP ALSO. PARKED CAR AND TURNED CAR OFF THEN ON...MESSAGE GONE. TOOK IT INTO SERVICE...SHOWED NO ERROR CODES. TODAY (5/2/16), IT DID IT AGAIN WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY LIGHTING UP. "SERVICE STABILITRAK", SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", AND "ENGINE POWER IS RECUDED" ARE THE MESSAGES I GOT TODAY ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BEING ON. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE HIGHWAY SO I WASN'T GOING FAST WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS CLOSE TO WORK SO I PARKED IT AT WORK. TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND THE MESSAGES WERE GONE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS OFF BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. TURNED CAR ON AGAIN AT LUNCH 1.5 HOURS LATER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF NOW SO I DOUBT ANYONE WILL BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR FIX ANYTHING TODAY. TAKING IT TO SERVICE TO SEE IF IT THREW ANY ERROR CODES A LITTLE LATER TODAY. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IF IT HAPPENS TO ME AND I'M IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, I WILL SUE THE S**T OUT OF GM. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND IF ANY OF US GETS HURT OR KILLED, THERE WILL BE H**L TO PAY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE RECALLED. IT IS NOT DUE TO MY KEY/IGNITION ISSUE. ALREADY HANDLED THAT RECALL. LOSING POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY RANDOMLY IS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS AND I'M NOW VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER IMPALA AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10862581

83,000 miles · May 1, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SLOWED ON HIGHWAY, REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING MESSAGE AND STABILITRAK MEASSAGE DISPLAYED ALSO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #10862394

130,000 miles · Apr 28, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL,STABILIZER,ENGINE POWER WARNING ALL COME ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. PULL OFF ROAD, WILL NOT START THEN MINUTES LATER IT STARTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. AFTER MULTIPLE STARTS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT . I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS AB…

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WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL,STABILIZER,ENGINE POWER WARNING ALL COME ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. PULL OFF ROAD, WILL NOT START THEN MINUTES LATER IT STARTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. AFTER MULTIPLE STARTS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT . I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ,YET THE NOTHING IS BEING DONE. TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE EFFECTS OF THIS IS THE SAME AS THE IGNITION TURNING OFF. PENDING ON TRAFFIC. THIS COULD BE DEADLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ALOT.

NHTSA ODI #10862078

138,000 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I BEGIN NOTICING ISSUES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD LIKE IT COULDN'T SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. I HAD THAT CHECKED AND NOTHING SHOWED AS AN ISSUE, SO THE MECHANIC SAID IT HAD TO BE ELECTRICAL. THIS WEEKEND I AM DRIVING IT AND AFTER 25 MINUTES IN THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, …

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I BEGIN NOTICING ISSUES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD LIKE IT COULDN'T SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. I HAD THAT CHECKED AND NOTHING SHOWED AS AN ISSUE, SO THE MECHANIC SAID IT HAD TO BE ELECTRICAL. THIS WEEKEND I AM DRIVING IT AND AFTER 25 MINUTES IN THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AS DOES THE NOTICE THAT MY ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED, AND TO SERVICE THE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. I WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT CAME ON AND I PULLED OFF TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT AS THAT WOULD WORK WHEN IT FAILED BEFORE TO RESET THE SYSTEM. IT DIDN'T RESET AND I HAD TO DRIVE IT WITH REDUCED POWER THE REST OF THE WAY TO MY DESTINATION. I HAD THIS FIXED A COUPLE YEARS AGO. I DID GET A NOTICE FROM GM ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THE ABILITY TO BE REIMBURSED OR GETTING IT FIXED IF THERE WAS A CURRENT ISSUE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR IT. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN, BUT MY MILEAGE IS TOO HIGH TO GET IT FIXED UNDER THIS REPAIR NOTICE BECAUSE THE LETTER SAYS THAT THE MILEAGE COVERAGE IS ONLY UP TO 120,000. IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND I HAVE ALREADY DEALT WITH IT BEFORE, WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO CONTINUALLY FAIL WHEN IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, WHICH I WOULD HAVE NO ISSUE FIXING AS A PART OF MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE?! THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT GM WOULD FIX EVERY TIME IT GOES OUT BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THE ISSUE IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM AND NOT LINKED TO ANYTHING THAT THE DRIVER DOES OR DOESN'T DO TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. IN ADDITION WHAT IF IT HAS TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AS IS THE CASE WITH MINE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A DEVOTED GM CUSTOMER, BUT HONESTLY I AM NOT SURE I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER GM AFTER THIS ISSUE. IT IS UNSAFE AND PROVIDES ANXIETY WHEN DRIVING, BECAUSE IT MIGHT FAIL AT THE WORST TIME AND COULD NEED FIXED AGAIN EVEN IF I FIX IT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10840205

120,473 miles · Mar 4, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THIS MORNING. THEN A MESSAGE SAYING MY ENGINE POWER IS REDUCING. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE 120000 MILE WARRANTY (B…

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SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THIS MORNING. THEN A MESSAGE SAYING MY ENGINE POWER IS REDUCING. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE 120000 MILE WARRANTY (BUT I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO!!!)

NHTSA ODI #10839873

81,000 miles · Mar 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

STARTED SEEING ERROR MESSAGE THIS MORNING ON START UP OF THE CAR: ENGINE POWER REDUCED SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE STABILTRAK EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENGINE POWER, TRACTION LIGHT ON, ENGINE LIGHT ON

NHTSA ODI #10839341

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

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

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…

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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

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.