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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
98,000 miles · Apr 22, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSuspensionCrash

I WAS DRIVING AND A COP WAS BEHIND ME AND HE TURNED ON HIS LIGHTS WHEN I NOTICED HIS I TRIED TO MOVE INTO THE RIGHT LANE, AND WHEN I STARTED TO CHANGE LANES MY DRIVER WHEEL LOCKED AND IT SOUNDED AS IF I HIT MY BRAKES AND THE COP HIT ME MY CAR SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND I HIT A TREE.

NHTSA ODI #11321964

105,000 miles · Mar 20, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT, THE SENSOR FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A OCCUPANT DETECTIO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT, THE SENSOR FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #11318786

85,000 miles · Feb 21, 2020
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #11310666

68,000 miles · Feb 4, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE STABILIZER TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11306923

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

113,000 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, SERVICE STABILITRAK - REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS COME UP A FEW TIMES. THIS TIME THOUGH WHILE STILL DRIVING MY ENGINE POWER WAS GREATLY REDUCED WITH THE ERROR, "STARTER DISABLED, SERVICE THROTTLE". THIS LED TO A DRASTIC DECREASE IN SPEED WITH ZERO CONTROL OVE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, SERVICE STABILITRAK - REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS COME UP A FEW TIMES. THIS TIME THOUGH WHILE STILL DRIVING MY ENGINE POWER WAS GREATLY REDUCED WITH THE ERROR, "STARTER DISABLED, SERVICE THROTTLE". THIS LED TO A DRASTIC DECREASE IN SPEED WITH ZERO CONTROL OVER THROTTLE AND MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR ROLLED TO A HALT.

NHTSA ODI #11300986

136,000 miles · Dec 28, 2019
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

THE REAR DEFOGGER ON MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. INVESTIGATION LEAD TO A VIDEO ON THE INTERNET SHOWING A MELTED CONNECTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FUSE BOX. FOLLOWING THE STEPS IN THE VIDEO I FOUND THE EXACT SAME BURNED UP CONNECTOR UNDER THE CARPET OF MY VEHICLE. PHOTOS INCLUDED. THE CONNECTOR WAS CLEARLY NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE TH…

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THE REAR DEFOGGER ON MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. INVESTIGATION LEAD TO A VIDEO ON THE INTERNET SHOWING A MELTED CONNECTOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FUSE BOX. FOLLOWING THE STEPS IN THE VIDEO I FOUND THE EXACT SAME BURNED UP CONNECTOR UNDER THE CARPET OF MY VEHICLE. PHOTOS INCLUDED. THE CONNECTOR WAS CLEARLY NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE CURRENT THE FUSE WAS ALLOWING TO FLOW THROUGH. THIS IS A FIRE RISK AS WELL AS AN INCONVENIENCE AS NOW MY REAR DEFOGGER IS INOPERATIVE. I NEVER SMELLED THE BURNING PART BUT LOST CLEARING ABILITY ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI #11291727

105,000 miles · Dec 28, 2019
SteeringUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SUDDENLY IT FLASHED ACROSS THE SCREEN SERVICE STABILITRAK, THEN SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, THEN REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SLOW WAY DOWN OUT OF NO WHERE FROM 70 TO LESS THAN 30, AND MADE STEERING NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE MY TWO CHILDREN I DROVE AROUND AND I'M AFRAID TO EVEN DRIV…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SUDDENLY IT FLASHED ACROSS THE SCREEN SERVICE STABILITRAK, THEN SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, THEN REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SLOW WAY DOWN OUT OF NO WHERE FROM 70 TO LESS THAN 30, AND MADE STEERING NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE MY TWO CHILDREN I DROVE AROUND AND I'M AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE BECAUSE IF THERE'S AN ACCIDENT WITH THEM IN THE CAR BECAUSE MY CARS SLOWING UNEXPECTEDLY SOMEONE WILL BE PAYING FOR THIS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I SEE ALL OVER IT IS AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED!

NHTSA ODI #11291678

160 miles · Dec 26, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SuspensionWheels

WE WHERE COMING HOME AND HEARD A LOUD SNAP ON MY RIGHT SIDE BY THE WHEEL AND AS WE REDUCE SPEED THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE TRACTION SENSORS WENT OFF THE CAR REDUCED SPEED DANGEROUSLY ON THE FRW WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND US AND HARD TO STEER... AND MOMENTS AFTER THE CAR SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11291383

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLLIDED DIRECTLY INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, BACK, NECK, CHEST, AND SHOULDER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLLIDED DIRECTLY INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, BACK, NECK, CHEST, AND SHOULDER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: MP19030877 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11287242

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.