TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE HEAD REST PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM HAVING A CLEAR LINE OF VISION WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Seats complaints
77 reportsTHE HEADREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OUT THE REAR WINDOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD REST LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT WAS BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW WHEN SHE USED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD REST LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT WAS BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW WHEN SHE USED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 11/25/11 *BF UPDATED 11/30/11
THE 3 REAR SEAT HEADRESTS MAKE IT ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY BACK THE CAR UP PLUS THEY OBSCURE THE VIEW OF FOLLOWING VEHICLES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AS I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR,AND TOOK DELIVERY BEFORE REALIZING HOW MAJOR THIS VISIBILITY ISSUE IS. THE HEADRESTS CANNOT BE REMOVED OR ADJUSTED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL …
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THE 3 REAR SEAT HEADRESTS MAKE IT ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY BACK THE CAR UP PLUS THEY OBSCURE THE VIEW OF FOLLOWING VEHICLES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AS I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR,AND TOOK DELIVERY BEFORE REALIZING HOW MAJOR THIS VISIBILITY ISSUE IS. THE HEADRESTS CANNOT BE REMOVED OR ADJUSTED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS NOT AN ABSTRUSE OR DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO RECOGNIZE, NOR IS IT ONE MAN'S OPINION. ANY TIME THERE IS 70%+ VIEW OBSTRUCTION IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. GM SHOULD CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE THIS MOST OBVIOUS MISTAKE WHICH NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO BEGIN WITH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS FOUR FEET ELEVEN AND THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEAD REST OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVERS VIEW AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THEY WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE DEFECT. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS FOUR FEET ELEVEN AND THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEAD REST OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVERS VIEW AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THEY WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105. RVK UPDATED10/27/11 *BF UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN
THIS CAR IS A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHOEVER THOUGHT OF PUTTING A STATIONARY MIDDLE HEADREST ON THIS CARS BACKSEAT WAS EITHER 7 FEET TALL, OR HAS NEVER BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN IT! MY 5'2" WIFE HAD A FIT AFTER DRIVING IT TODAY. I BOUGHT IT 9/14/11 WITHOUT HER. ANYHOW, FOR GM TO LET THIS CAR ON THE ROAD WITHOUT A …
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THIS CAR IS A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHOEVER THOUGHT OF PUTTING A STATIONARY MIDDLE HEADREST ON THIS CARS BACKSEAT WAS EITHER 7 FEET TALL, OR HAS NEVER BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN IT! MY 5'2" WIFE HAD A FIT AFTER DRIVING IT TODAY. I BOUGHT IT 9/14/11 WITHOUT HER. ANYHOW, FOR GM TO LET THIS CAR ON THE ROAD WITHOUT A BACKUP CAMERA OR BEING NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THAT HEADREST IS JUST IRRESPONSIBLE. DRIVE ONE AND YOU WILL SEE EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN. *TR
HUGE REAR HEADRESTS (3 OF THEM) BLOCK NEARLY 70% OF REAR VISIBILITY AND MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND OR APPROACHING FROM BEHIND. EVEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE MIDDLE HEADREST BLOCKS THE VIEW OF ANY VEHICLE BEHIND. CHANGING LANES IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS, AT BEST, BECAUSE DRIVER CAN'T S…
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HUGE REAR HEADRESTS (3 OF THEM) BLOCK NEARLY 70% OF REAR VISIBILITY AND MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND OR APPROACHING FROM BEHIND. EVEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE MIDDLE HEADREST BLOCKS THE VIEW OF ANY VEHICLE BEHIND. CHANGING LANES IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS, AT BEST, BECAUSE DRIVER CAN'T SEE WHAT'S DIRECTLY BEHIND. TRIED SEAT ADJUSTMENTS, OUTSIDE MIRROR ADJUSTMENTS, REAR VIEW MIRROR ADJUSTMENTS, AND NOTHING WORKS TO IMPROVE THE REAR VIEW. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHICH HAS APPARENTLY BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE IMPALA FOR 2012; WHY HAS CHEVROLET NOT CONTACTED DRIVERS FOR A SAFETY FIX OR RECALLED? I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER AND AM STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE HOPING NO ACCIDENTS OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS POOR VISIBILITY ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT CHEVY WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT LIABILITY, IF NOTHING ELSE. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE ARE FIXES FOR THIS, SHORT OF SAWING OFF THE MIDDLE HEAD REST? THEY CAN'T BE ADJUSTED OR EVEN FOLDED DOWN WITH THE SEAT SINCE THEY'RE BUILT INTO THE REAR WINDOW SHELF AND NOT THE SEATS. (WHO THE HECK CAME UP WITH THIS ONE?) I'M HOPING YOU CAN HELP BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS INJURED OR WORSE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING THOSE ON YOUR SITE. PLEASE HELP! THANKS. *TR
REAR SEAT CENTER HEADREST BLOCKS VIEW OF TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS. VERY UNSAFE AND SOMEONE WILL BE SERIOULY INJURED. GM ENGINEERS FOR SEATS AND NOT DOING THEIR JOB. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT THE REAR VIEW WINDOW WHEN REVERSING OR DRIVING FORWARD DUE TO THE MIDDLE HEADREST BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT THE REAR VIEW WINDOW WHEN REVERSING OR DRIVING FORWARD DUE TO THE MIDDLE HEADREST BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN UPDATED 10/07/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, HE NOTICED THAT HIS VISION THROUGH THE REAR WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE VERY LARGE SIZE OF THE REAR HEADRESTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE COULD REMOVE THE HEADRESTS AT HIS OWN DISCRETION. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, HE NOTICED THAT HIS VISION THROUGH THE REAR WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE VERY LARGE SIZE OF THE REAR HEADRESTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE COULD REMOVE THE HEADRESTS AT HIS OWN DISCRETION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
Official recalls
214V355000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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