Model year record

2011 Chevrolet Impala recalls & problems

The 2011 Chevrolet Impala has 2 safety recalls and 505 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electronic stability control (esc) (132 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints505filed by owners

Crashes · fires22 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths25 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJun 23, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V3550003,141,731 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

SuspensionAug 3, 2012

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 12V37700036,413 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2011 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.3%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Impala FFV

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Impala FFV

21mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electronic stability control (esc)	132	0	1	2	73,025 mi
Engine	125	3	2	5	77,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Instrument cluster/panel	97	4	0	5	78,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint; Mid/rear assembly	80	3	0	1	2,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	70	0	1	0	64,613 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	64	0	1	0	70,300 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Sensor › Occupant classification	37	15	0	18	78,122 mi
Steering	35	3	0	3	60,450 mi
Service brakes	34	4	1	4	73,433 mi
Unknown or other	31	1	0	2	81,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Rear window wiper/washer	24	0	1	0	434 mi
Traction control system	18	1	1	2	48,932 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

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 research, it seems as though the position sensor on the accelerator pedal may be at fault. A lot, if not most cars today have a "fly-by-wire" system which replaces cables and such with sensors and motors. So, the accelerator, (gas), pedal controls the movement of the butterfly valve on the throttle body by sending a signal to the motor. I'm going…
Aug 19, 2024
Engine
Service stabilitrak warning, followed by reduced engine power, then car starts jerking.
Jan 4, 2024
Electrical system
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 parking lot where it sat over night then it would restart but only for a few minutes. Once I got a scanner hooked up it had a p0642 code lost 5 volt reference circuit 1 and a cam sensor code I worked on this vehicle for two days and still have not found the issue. this vehicle needs a recall since this is a recurring issue with a few different model…
Dec 21, 2023
Electrical system
This problem has happened for many many years. Made appointments @ Fuccillo Chevy dealer, by then itâs gone off & they donât 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 Throttle/pedal pod sensor voltage correlation DTC P0523 Engine oil pressure sensor/switch high input Same complaint of loss of power as Iâve now seen others write about!! Voltage referring to throttle âs ability to open/close properly. An electrical malfunction in manufacturing! RECALL!!! Obviously I actually have another impala- 2007 that the…
Nov 10, 2023
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 it broke, our car got left wheelbearing damage and rear brake pads according the same mechanic that warranty the same defective part and keep putting the same defective part brand. We don't know what to do because our life was in danger twice, we don't want die if that cause a bad accident due to defective parts third time. Please help us.
Oct 29, 2023
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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 displayed in different languages. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the battery had failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Feb 1, 2021 · 68,000 miles
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.
Apr 20, 2020
Service brakes
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 vehicle slow moving an feel a grinding when feet on gas...recently look an it says its 2 recalls chevy 2011 impala
Feb 9, 2023

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.