2011 Chevrolet Impala problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (66) · Engine (54) · Power Train (51)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Impala model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
409 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-06-23 · campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 vehicles
Defect: 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 af
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2012-08-03 · campaign 12V377000 · 36,413 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,237)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-04 · PIT6247B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for police and special service vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,237 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-08-31 · Vehicle Speed Control“after getting into my parked car and starting it, the stabilitrak warning message came on my display. this is the 2nd tike that this occurred. the first time it occured, my mechanic diagnosed it as a failed throttle body, which i replaced myself, (easy removal/installation). now, a couple of months later, it occurred again. after doing some online…”
2024-01-05 · Steering“service stabilitrak warning, followed by reduced engine power, then car starts jerking.…”
2023-12-25 · Engine“i own a 2011 chevy impala 4 door that has a very serious engine issue. i was on my way home and suddenly the service stability trac, and check engine light came on, then the message center displayed reduced engine power and low oil pressure then the engine shut off. i tried to restart the vehicle and it would not restart. i got it towed to a parkin…”
2023-11-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System“this problem has happened for many many years. made appointments @ fuccillo chevy dealer, by then it’s gone off & they don’t know! well, just occurred again when getting new tires @dunn pulling in. 2011 impala stabilitrak, engine power loss, then check engine light! thank goodness the mechanic printed me the codes & what they mean!! so- p2138 thro…”
2023-11-12 · Unknown Or Other“the mechanic wedige automotive in elkhorn wi, use ac delco parts, just in this year he installed the rear swaybar links part#45g0403 the same part broke twice and put the same for the third time. we don't know if is going to brake for the third time, but we are afraid that if we drive in a highway we can be on a bad car accident. the second time …”
2023-08-30 · Electrical System:ignition · 68,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that the vehicle lost electrical power. the ignition switch was stuck in accessory mode and the contact was unable to release the key from the ignition switch. additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle experienced inaccurate fuel gauge reading. several unknown messages were displa…”
2023-04-19 · Suspension“grinding from turning. numerous radiators, transmission problems over and over. jerking not pulling. stalling in the road.control arm needed again. brakes and rotors grinding. …”
2023-02-14 · Wheels“stabilizer control an brake system wheel barrier or tyrod when driving its like the wheels start trying to twist another way almost crashed on the highway with my grandkids in the vehicle i having driving the vehicle since an irecentl looked up recall an it says stabilizing an brake system when press on gas .it's like tires shifting make the vehicl…”
2022-09-19 · Air Bags · 165,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet impala. the contact stated that the passenger's side air bag inadvertently deactivated while a passenger was seated in the passenger's side front seat. the air bag warning light was illuminated and the air bag system message was displayed. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact to …”
2022-07-04 · Engine“service stabilitrak warning light goes off and on intermittently when this happens the traction control light comes on when hooked up it shows no codes everything i’ve read on line is that it’s a electrical issue to replace wheel bearings or gas pedal or other list of sensors shouldn’t this be something that you should investigate to let owners kno…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.