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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

What owners actually said

505 reports
55,500 miles · Jun 13, 2017
Power TrainSteering

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE HOME FROM A TRIP AND STOPPED AT A STORE. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55,500 MILES ON IT. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS A REPAIR THAT SHOU…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE HOME FROM A TRIP AND STOPPED AT A STORE. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55,500 MILES ON IT. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS A REPAIR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY WITH THIS FEW MILES. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS ON THE VEHICLE AND TOOK POSSESSION FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/2/11. I DO HAVE THE REPAIR BILLS. WORK WAS PERFORMED ON 6/9/17.

NHTSA ODI #10994956

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

109,000 miles · Jun 3, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS IN MOTION WHEN MY CAR NOTIFIED ME OF ENGINE REDUCE POWER AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH MY TRACTION LIGHT. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN NOVEMBER OF 2015 ABOUT THIS AND TO NOTIFY THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS WHEN IT HAPPENS. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS TO FIND AN EXCUSE NOT TO TA…

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I WAS IN MOTION WHEN MY CAR NOTIFIED ME OF ENGINE REDUCE POWER AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH MY TRACTION LIGHT. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN NOVEMBER OF 2015 ABOUT THIS AND TO NOTIFY THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS WHEN IT HAPPENS. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS TO FIND AN EXCUSE NOT TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD LOOSE $1200 IF THEY FIXED THE ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER. I GUESS MY SAFETY AND LOYALTY AS A CUSTOMER MEANS NOTHING. THIS HAPPENED ON OR AROUND 4/04/2017

NHTSA ODI #10992969

68,000 miles · May 23, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SuspensionWheels

I HEAR A HORRIBLE GRIND WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AFTER A STOP, CAR ALSO FELT LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO GO FORWARD CAUSING HESITATION IN LEFT HAND TURN - VERY DANGEROUS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAVE HAD IT TO MECHANIC MANY TIMES, EITHER THEY COULDNT FIND THE PROBLEM OR WOULD FIX THIS OR THAT AND THEN PROBLEMS RIGHT BACK WITHIN DA…

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I HEAR A HORRIBLE GRIND WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AFTER A STOP, CAR ALSO FELT LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO GO FORWARD CAUSING HESITATION IN LEFT HAND TURN - VERY DANGEROUS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAVE HAD IT TO MECHANIC MANY TIMES, EITHER THEY COULDNT FIND THE PROBLEM OR WOULD FIX THIS OR THAT AND THEN PROBLEMS RIGHT BACK WITHIN DAYS IF NOT HOURS. OCCASIONALLY GET SERVICE STABILITRAC AND/OR ABS LIGHTS, USUALLY LIGHTS WOULD CLEAR BY NEXT DAY WHEN I TOOK TO MECHANIC AND AGAIN THEY'D EITHER FIND NO PROBLEM OR TRY A FIX -STILL A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARING NEXT BUT FROM ALL FORUMS I'VE READ THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP PEOPLE EITHER, PROBLEM COMES RIGHT BACK, RECENTLY RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING $700 TO FIX, WITHIN 2 DAYS I HEARD THE GRIND, HAD HESITATION ON A LEFT HAND TURN, NOTICED FLUID UNDER MY VEHICLE UPON RETURN HOME, HOPED IT WAS A/C CONDENSATION, WITHIN DAYS THE POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT AGAIN - TURNS OUT NEW RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING AND CAR IS COMPLETELY OUT IF POWER STEERING FLUID AGAIN AFTER 2 WEEKS. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THE SOUND AND GRIND ISN'T WHAT'S CAUSING MY RACK AND PINION ISSUES AS WELL? HAVE OWNED 2 YEARS NOW WITH THIS PROBLEM CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. APPROX. 68K MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED NOW ALMOST 90K HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS THAT THERE IS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS HESITATION MAY CAUSE YOU TO GET HIT IF VEHICLE CAN'T TURN IN TIME. HAVE TO COMPLETELY LET OFF GAS AND TRY AGAIN SOMETIMES STILL GRINDS IF SO REPEAT IS ALL YOU CAN DO. BECOMING VERY SCARY AND COSTLY WITH NO FIX FOUND SO FAR!!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE! MULTIPLE POSTS REGARDING SAME ISSUE SOME ON NEWER MODELS, VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE I CAN'T EVEN TEACH MY CHILD TO DRIVE IN THE CAR AS I AM AFRAID FOR THEIR SAFETY IN IT, AS WELL AS MY OWN SAFETY EVER TIME I TRY TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN.

NHTSA ODI #10991309

95,000 miles · May 19, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, STABIL TRAC COMES ON, AND IT SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THIS CAUSING ME TO DRIVE IN THE SLOW LANE. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. MY FAMILY AND I WERE ALMOST STRUCK FROM BEHIND. WE'VE HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE, AND WE GOT IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERS…

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WHEN DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, STABIL TRAC COMES ON, AND IT SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THIS CAUSING ME TO DRIVE IN THE SLOW LANE. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. MY FAMILY AND I WERE ALMOST STRUCK FROM BEHIND. WE'VE HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE, AND WE GOT IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET ANY CODES. BASICALLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND IT'LL BE GONE THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE TO TRAVEL EVERY OTHER WEEKEND, AND I DON'T NEED THIS HAPPENING TO MY FAMILY AGAIN. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO KEEP PAYING FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER.

NHTSA ODI #10990686

106,000 miles · May 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesWheels

I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY FRONT LEFT HUB AFTER REPLACING. I HAVE REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL. WONDERED IF THERE ARE SERVICE BULLETINS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE DESCRIBED TO ME AS THE HUB ADJUSTING THE SPEED OF ONE TIRE TO MATCH THE OTHER. IT ALSO FLASHES BR…

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I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY FRONT LEFT HUB AFTER REPLACING. I HAVE REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL. WONDERED IF THERE ARE SERVICE BULLETINS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE DESCRIBED TO ME AS THE HUB ADJUSTING THE SPEED OF ONE TIRE TO MATCH THE OTHER. IT ALSO FLASHES BRAKE ASSIST AND STABILITRACK ISSUES AS WELL AS ANTI LOCK ALERT. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY TURNING LEFT BUT MOST RECENTLY EVEN WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10983097

80,000 miles · Apr 27, 2017
Electrical System

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IT GIVES ME SERVICE STABILITY TRAC/ POWER ENGINE DOWN MESSAGE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING USUALLY THE MESSAGE WILL GO AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS

NHTSA ODI #10981161

51,000 miles · Apr 27, 2017
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING USE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY BEARING IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING USE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY BEARING IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10981098

84,445 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN DRIVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC,THE WARNING SYSTEM SIGNALS, AND A MESSAGE "SERVICE STABILITRAK SYSTEM, BRAKE LIGHT." THERE IS NO REDUCED POWER, NOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM 2 YEARS AGO, NOW ITS BACK! ONSTAR SHOWS SYSTEM "NORMAL, NO ISSUES." WHAT'S GOING ON???

NHTSA ODI #10967984

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

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.