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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

Power Train complaints

64 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2023
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

Grinding from turning. Numerous Radiators, Transmission problems over and over. Jerking not pulling. Stalling in the road.Control Arm needed again. Brakes and Rotors grinding.

NHTSA ODI #11517964

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Today, 6-12-2022, driving on US Highway 80 at 65 mph headed toward Phenix City, AL from Columbus, GA, the the engine shuddered, then the "Stabilitrack Service Light" came on, along with the check engine light, and a message for "reduced engine power." Then, the engine suddenly cut out as I was going uphill between the Rivercha…

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Today, 6-12-2022, driving on US Highway 80 at 65 mph headed toward Phenix City, AL from Columbus, GA, the the engine shuddered, then the "Stabilitrack Service Light" came on, along with the check engine light, and a message for "reduced engine power." Then, the engine suddenly cut out as I was going uphill between the Riverchase Exit and the Summerville Exit. Luckily, I was driving and not my wife. I was able to glide the car back to the right shoulder of the road under ZERO power, and shut the ignition down. Cars were passing me at 65-75 mph, and I was very fortunate not to have caused an accident. After sitting there for about 5 minutes in 96 degree heat and my wife freaking out in the passenger seat, I restarted the car and eased it to the Summerville Exit, and slowly drove home, about another 6 miles. We were damn lucky not to have been hit by another car, as this happened on a what is essentially a freeway. After researching this , it seems this is a common problem being reported on this Model, the Chevy Impala. I'm sure Chevrolet knows about this...the company should be forced to recall this car model and fix it before folks start getting killed due to total engine failure...especially at a high speed like I was driving.

NHTSA ODI #11468890

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2022
Power Train

The car was stopped at a stop sign, turned right onto the highway and the front wheels locked. The car would not move in any gear, even in neutral. A tow truck had to place front wheels on skids and drag onto the bed. The transmission repair shop never saw anything like it, all the gears on the trans axel were stripped smooth an…

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The car was stopped at a stop sign, turned right onto the highway and the front wheels locked. The car would not move in any gear, even in neutral. A tow truck had to place front wheels on skids and drag onto the bed. The transmission repair shop never saw anything like it, all the gears on the trans axel were stripped smooth and metal fragments all over the inside of the transmission. Very dangerous situation if there would have been oncoming traffic.

NHTSA ODI #11446686

30,000 miles · Apr 4, 2021
Power Train

AFTER ABOUT 30000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID(S) ARE GOING BAD INTERMITTENTLY. IT'S GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR FOR A PART THAT COSTS AROUND 25 DOLLARS OR SO. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A CONTINUING PROBLEM ON THE 4T65E TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN YOU ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND GO TO ACCELERATE YOU GET NO RESP…

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AFTER ABOUT 30000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID(S) ARE GOING BAD INTERMITTENTLY. IT'S GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR FOR A PART THAT COSTS AROUND 25 DOLLARS OR SO. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A CONTINUING PROBLEM ON THE 4T65E TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN YOU ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND GO TO ACCELERATE YOU GET NO RESPONSE EXCEPT FOR HIGHER RPM'S AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY ENGAGES AND YOU GET A VIOLENT SURGE FORWARD WITH A LOUD BANG. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL TO INSTALL NEW AND IMPROVED SOLENOIDS.

NHTSA ODI #11406306

127,000 miles · Nov 5, 2020
Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes

THE BRAKES ARE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPING WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A PRESSURE VALVE CODE THAT WILL NOT GIVE A DEFINITE READING.THE AIRBAGS LIGHT STAYS ON ALONG WITH THE ABS AND STABILITY TRAK LIGHT STAYING ON.

NHTSA ODI #11373140

99,000 miles · Aug 10, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

WORST CAR GM IS HORRIBLE

NHTSA ODI #11348486

132,000 miles · Jun 29, 2020
Power Train

VEHICLE RANDOMLY GIVES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILITRACK. AT THIS POINT ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO POINT THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHILE PASSING (SAFELY) IT CAME ON AND I WAS STUCK IN ONCOMING LANE BECAUSE I DIDN?T HAVE THE POWER TO COMPLETE PASS. HAPPENS EVERY WEEK SEVERAL TIMES. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRI…

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VEHICLE RANDOMLY GIVES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILITRACK. AT THIS POINT ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO POINT THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHILE PASSING (SAFELY) IT CAME ON AND I WAS STUCK IN ONCOMING LANE BECAUSE I DIDN?T HAVE THE POWER TO COMPLETE PASS. HAPPENS EVERY WEEK SEVERAL TIMES. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING. EVEN IN PARK IT WILL OCCUR. COMPLETELY RANDOM WHETHER DRIVING, SITTING, OR IN PARK RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331387

85,000 miles · Feb 21, 2020
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN MOTION 2/12/20

NHTSA ODI #11310666

183,500 miles · Jan 27, 2020
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS LOCKED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCH SOUND, JERK VIOLENTLY AND FINALLY SHIFT INTO THE GEAR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS LOCKED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCH SOUND, JERK VIOLENTLY AND FINALLY SHIFT INTO THE GEAR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE REAL SLOW IN ORDER TO GET GOING AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER GOING UP HILLS. THE DEALER H & H AUTO SALES (1007 E STUART DR, GALAX, VA 24333 (276) 236-7300) STATED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN BUT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAD ALREADY FIXED THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD LEAKY VALVE COVERS AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO THE CONTACT WITH A RECALL THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT THE DEALER JEFF JOHNSON CHEVROLET (2533 CARROLLTON PIKE, WOODLAWN, VA 24381 (276) 779-4620). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,500.

NHTSA ODI #11302163

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2019
Air BagsPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. SINCE 2015, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND A YELLOW WARNING INDICATOR APPEARED. ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FERM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. SINCE 2015, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND A YELLOW WARNING INDICATOR APPEARED. ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FERMAN CHEVROLET OF TAMPA (9751 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL, 813-623-2411) AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. FOR THE OTHER TWO FAILURES, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11245914

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.