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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.

About this comparison →

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
3,500 miles · Sep 2, 2011
Seats

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

NHTSA ODI #10422985

5 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Seats

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.

NHTSA ODI #10422781

20 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Seats

THE REAR CENTER HEAD REST NEEDS TO BE REMOVED CAN'T SEE TO BACK UP THEY ALL ARE VERY LARGE BUT THE MIDDLE BLOCKS YOUR VIEW TOTALLY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT DUE TO THIS ISSUE IF ITS NOT TAKEN CARE MAYBE THEY CAN'T REMOVE THE HEADREST ITSELF BUT THEY CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. I THOUGHT SEATS IN THE BACK WERE SUPPOSE TO FOLD DOWN AL…

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THE REAR CENTER HEAD REST NEEDS TO BE REMOVED CAN'T SEE TO BACK UP THEY ALL ARE VERY LARGE BUT THE MIDDLE BLOCKS YOUR VIEW TOTALLY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT DUE TO THIS ISSUE IF ITS NOT TAKEN CARE MAYBE THEY CAN'T REMOVE THE HEADREST ITSELF BUT THEY CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. I THOUGHT SEATS IN THE BACK WERE SUPPOSE TO FOLD DOWN ALLOWING ACCESS TO THE TRUNK THIS AUTO DOESN'T DO THAT THERE AREN'T EVEN CUPHOLDERS IN THE BACK SEAT THIS WAS DEFINITELY NOT A GOOD DESIGN FOR GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422496

97,000 miles · Aug 26, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE CHEST AND BACK. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OPPOSING VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS AND CHEST. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE CHEST AND BACK. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE OPPOSING VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS AND CHEST. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 9/19/11 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10421630

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2011
EquipmentSeatsVisibility

PURCHASED 2011 IMPALA LT/4 DOOR SEDAN 3 WEEKS AGO. REAR CENTER HEADREST COMPLETELY BLOCKS THE VIEW OF VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND, WHICH PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE CAR IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS ALSO POSES A HAZARD WHEN BACKING UP, DUE TO 90% SIGHT BLOCKAGE. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED BY GM …

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PURCHASED 2011 IMPALA LT/4 DOOR SEDAN 3 WEEKS AGO. REAR CENTER HEADREST COMPLETELY BLOCKS THE VIEW OF VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND, WHICH PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE CAR IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS ALSO POSES A HAZARD WHEN BACKING UP, DUE TO 90% SIGHT BLOCKAGE. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED BY GM TO REMOVE THE CENTER REAR HEADREST FROM THIS VEHICLE. THE 2012 MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A CENTER HEADREST. IT ONLY HAS HEADRESTS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT, WHICH PROVES THIS IS AN ISSUE THEY HAVE CORRECTED FOR THE NEWER MODEL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN THE 2011. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421401

1,850 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON THRUWAY MY 2011 CHEVY IMPALA LOST POWER STEERING WENT DUE TO A BELT BROKE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF CAR. AFTER GETTING OFF THE THRUWAY,WE NOTICED THAT A PULLEY HAD COME APART. WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO DISINTEGRATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421178

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2011
Seats

2011 CHEVY IMPALA LT. REAR HEAD REST REDUCES VISIBILITY. DIFFICULT TO SEE VEHICLES WHEN DRIVING AND BACKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420798

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2011
Seats

2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE HEAD RESTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HEAD RESTS ARE THREE INCHES TO HIGH AND TOO WIDE. THE THREE HEAD RESTS BLOCK ALMOST 40% OF THE VIEW LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND OUT THE BACK WINDOW. THE PROBLEM IS THEY CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN OR REMOVED. *JB UPDAT…

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2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE HEAD RESTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HEAD RESTS ARE THREE INCHES TO HIGH AND TOO WIDE. THE THREE HEAD RESTS BLOCK ALMOST 40% OF THE VIEW LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND OUT THE BACK WINDOW. THE PROBLEM IS THEY CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN OR REMOVED. *JB UPDATED 10/20/11.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10419071

2,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEADRESTS WERE POSITIONED TOO HIGH AND OBSTRUCTED VISION WHILE REVERSING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEADRESTS WERE POSITIONED TOO HIGH AND OBSTRUCTED VISION WHILE REVERSING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #10418563

2,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BECAUSE THE HEAD RESTS ON THE REAR SEATS WERE OBSTRUCTING HER VISION. THE HEAD RESTS COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED OR REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BECAUSE THE HEAD RESTS ON THE REAR SEATS WERE OBSTRUCTING HER VISION. THE HEAD RESTS COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED OR REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD RESTS WERE DESIGNED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES AND COULD NOT BE ALTERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

NHTSA ODI #10413566

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.