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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

Steering complaints

35 reports
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95,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. WITHIN TWO (2) MINUTES OF THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT IT SELF OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE GOING 55 MPH. I LOST STEERING, HAD …

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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. WITHIN TWO (2) MINUTES OF THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT IT SELF OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE GOING 55 MPH. I LOST STEERING, HAD NO POWER, OR BRAKING. I THREW THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET IT STARTED IT WHILE I WAS IN MOTION WITH NO POWER. THE IMPALA DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. THE CAR WASN'T RESPONDING BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING / BRAKING WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE IMPALA WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" WITHOUT WARNING. I LET THE CAR COST FOR A WHILE UNTIL I COULD FIND A SAFE SPOT TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I REALLY HAD TO MUSCLE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SOME SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO GET IT TO TURN. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BEFORE THIS ISSUE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE "PEDALASSEMBLY" GAS PEDAL SENSOR WENT BAD, CAUSING THE 2011 IMPALA TO GO INTO "LIMP MODE" WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700572

95,620 miles · Feb 18, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

2/17/2015 WAS THE SECOND EVENT. I WAS DRIVING APPROX- 65 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN WHEN MY ELECTRONIC DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED STABILITRACK/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. AS THE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKE FUNCTION. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT A UP HILL GRADE, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO JERK THE…

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2/17/2015 WAS THE SECOND EVENT. I WAS DRIVING APPROX- 65 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN WHEN MY ELECTRONIC DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED STABILITRACK/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. AS THE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKE FUNCTION. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT A UP HILL GRADE, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO ROLL ACROSS THE LANE OF TRAFFIC BESIDE ME TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD COMPLETELY AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A LOGGING TRUCK. AFTER REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION FOR A FEW MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE CAR WITHOUT ANY HESITATION. THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON AT THIS TIME. I DID CONTACT ONSTAR AND HAVE THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH REVEALED A PROBLEM WITH SUPPOSED FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP YET. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS SITES THAT I HAVE REVIEWED, LOOKS LIKE GM WOULD DO A RECALL AND INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684014

47,000 miles · Feb 16, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING AT APPROX 35 MPH, MY CAR SHOWED SERVICE STABILITRACK / SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL / VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. I DID HAVE REDUCED POWER, COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 15 OR 20 MPH. I CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD ANOTHER BLOCK AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE GOING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE,, WHICH CAUSE STEERING TO BECOME …

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DRIVING AT APPROX 35 MPH, MY CAR SHOWED SERVICE STABILITRACK / SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL / VEHICLE IN REDUCED POWER. I DID HAVE REDUCED POWER, COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 15 OR 20 MPH. I CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD ANOTHER BLOCK AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE GOING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE,, WHICH CAUSE STEERING TO BECOME VERY HARD TO USE ALONG WITH LITTLE TO NO BRAKING, I ENDED UP GOING THRU A STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE BECAUSE OF LACK OF BRAKING POWER, LUCKILY NO VEHICLES WERE COMING, I GOT THE VEHICLE STOPPED, AND LOOKED AT THE DISPLAY, IT SAID IGNITION DISABLED, SERVICE THROTTLE. BY THE VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER SHUT DOWN MAKING STEERING AND BRAKING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, IF IT FINDS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE, IT SHOULD JUST DISABLE THE THROTTLE SO I CAN STEER AND BRAKE WITHOUT PROBLEM. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE A FEW TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS, THE 4TH TIME I TRIED THE VEHICLE DID START BACK UP AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO WORK, BUT WAS DID NOT SEEM TO BE RUNNING RIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683685

114,694 miles · Feb 15, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering

REDUCED ENGINE SIGNAL CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER SERVICE TRACTION, BRAKES, STEERING, CAME ON THEN CAR SHUT OFF NO POWER TO ANYTHING. BRAKES, STEERING NOTHING WORKED. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TRY A RESTART NOTHING. GOT CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP TOOK THE KEY OUT. THE DASH MADE A WEIRD NOISE ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING RESET. I PUT KEYS BACK IN TUR…

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REDUCED ENGINE SIGNAL CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER SERVICE TRACTION, BRAKES, STEERING, CAME ON THEN CAR SHUT OFF NO POWER TO ANYTHING. BRAKES, STEERING NOTHING WORKED. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TRY A RESTART NOTHING. GOT CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP TOOK THE KEY OUT. THE DASH MADE A WEIRD NOISE ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING RESET. I PUT KEYS BACK IN TURNED THE KEY CAR STARTED NO PROBLEM ONLY THING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK VEHICLE HOME WENT BACK LATER THAT NIGHT. STARTED IT UP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST ONCE AWEEK. 2ND ISSUE HEATER BLOWER GOING DOWN THE ROAD JUST SHUT OFF WEATHER -2 PLUS A WIND CHILL. HAD IT SERVICED THEY REPLACED A MODULE BLOWER RAN FINE FOR 4 DAYS, WEATHER ADVISORY WINDCHILL TEMP IS -10 45 MILES AWAY FROM HOME HEATER BLOWER NOT WORKING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683544

90,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND ANKLE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND ANKLE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10683360

5,875 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Steering

ON 7/22/2011 WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP (AL SERRA CHEVROLET NORTH - COLORADO SPRINGS) UNDER WARRANTY. MILEAGE 5875. *TR ON 9/27/11 WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS…

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ON 7/22/2011 WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP (AL SERRA CHEVROLET NORTH - COLORADO SPRINGS) UNDER WARRANTY. MILEAGE 5875. *TR ON 9/27/11 WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP (AL SERRA CHEVROLET NORTH - COLORADO SPRINGS) UNDER WARRANTY. MILEAGE 7661. ON 2/16/2012 WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP (AL SERRA CHEVROLET NORTH - COLORADO SPRINGS) UNDER WARRANTY. MILEAGE 9948 ON 8/20/2013 WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP (AL SERRA CHEVROLET NORTH - COLORADO SPRINGS) UNDER WARRANTY. MILEAGE 23429 ON 8/13/2014 WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. MILEAGE 27130. ON EACH OCCASION DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE SEAL FOR INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON RACK AND PINION FAILED AND THE RACK AND PINION WERE REPLACED. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR THIS VEHICLE. . .

NHTSA ODI #10622090

60,450 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingService BrakesSteeringInjury

COMING OFF OF A FREEWAY, THE EXIT IS A WIDE CURVE. ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN (GOING TOWARD THE RIGHT) THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. FORTUNATELY, I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR THROUGH THE REST OF THE CURVE AND PULL OVER TO SAFETY. THE MUSCLING CAUSED MINOR INJURY TO LEFT SHOULD…

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COMING OFF OF A FREEWAY, THE EXIT IS A WIDE CURVE. ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN (GOING TOWARD THE RIGHT) THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. FORTUNATELY, I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR THROUGH THE REST OF THE CURVE AND PULL OVER TO SAFETY. THE MUSCLING CAUSED MINOR INJURY TO LEFT SHOULDER. CAR DID RESTART WITHOUT A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621703

39,000 miles · May 19, 2014
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SKIDDED DURING A RIGHT TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE WHEEL WAS SPINNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND BOTH HUB BEARINGS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SKIDDED DURING A RIGHT TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE WHEEL WAS SPINNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND BOTH HUB BEARINGS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #10592389

52,530 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR (PAGE 5-17 IN MY MANUAL) CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE WAS TO PREVENT SERIOUS DAMAGES, GO TO YOUR SERVICE STATION IMMEDIATELY. I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE, AND MADE MY WAY TO THE INTERSTATE HEADING TO OUR SERVICE STATION WHEN MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE 485 ABOUT 3 MILES …

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THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR (PAGE 5-17 IN MY MANUAL) CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE WAS TO PREVENT SERIOUS DAMAGES, GO TO YOUR SERVICE STATION IMMEDIATELY. I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE, AND MADE MY WAY TO THE INTERSTATE HEADING TO OUR SERVICE STATION WHEN MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE 485 ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY MAYBE ( ABOUT 7 MILES FROM HOME AND OUR SERVICE STATION). I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A MAJOR HWY THAT WAS/IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHEN I FELT SOMETHING UNUSUAL. I GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD BETWEEN THE CARS AND JUST MADE IT TO THE FAR RIGHT SIDE OF THIS MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE STEERING, A/C AND BRAKES WERE GONE AND THEN I REALIZED IF I DID NOTHING I WOULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER BY THE TRUCKS ON THIS INTERSTATE. I GOT CLOSE TO THE GUARDRAIL AND COLLECTED MY WITS AND CALLED BOTH AAA AND THE CHARLOTTE NC POLICE. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE GONE OFF! THE NC POLICE WERE TO COME IMMEDIATELY BUT NEVER SHOWED UP, BUT AN HOUR LATER THE AAA DRIVER CAME AND ASSISTED TO HELP ME OUT OF MY CAR INTO HIS TOW TRUCK. HE SAID TO SIT IN THE AC AND DRINK SOME WATER. IT WAS A HOT DAY IN THE CAROLINAS. NO AC, NOTHING TO DRINK AND COULD NOT OPEN MY WINDOWS. I COULD NOT OPEN MY DOOR AS CARS WHIZZED BY ME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CAR JUST DIED. FINALLY GOT IT TOWED TO THE CHEVY SERVICE STATION AND THE REPAIRS COST (ENCLOSED) $696.84. AFTER SEEING THE EVENT ON TV I REALIZED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT HIS ISSUE, AS I HEAR ALL THE HORROR STORIES OF THE INNOCENT KILLED UPSETS ME. I WAS FORTUNATELY TO BE ABLE TO GET ME AND MY CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY WHILE CARS WHIZZED BY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY BUT HOW MANY HAVEN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576447

110,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Steering

LOSES CONTROL OF VEHICLE AS IT SHUTS DOWN. THROTTLE RELATED WARNING WILL APPEAR FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS BECOME A FREQUENT AND VERY GUT WRENCHING OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10568334

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.