VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Impala problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 844 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 187.6 times the median Impala year — the 2011 model ranks #10 of 52 Impala years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 46 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 247 reports (29% of the total).

844

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

39

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

46

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Impala years?

Impala NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted1,375 complaints1958: 1 complaints1963: 1 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 4 complaints1967: 2 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 5 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 3 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 1 complaints1987: 1 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 6 complaints1994: 19 complaints1995: 64 complaints1996: 120 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 1,128 complaints2001: 959 complaints2002: 1,077 complaints2003: 935 complaints2004: 1,375 complaints2005: 811 complaints2006: 803 complaints2007: 932 complaints2008: 1,203 complaints2009: 1,368 complaints2010: 737 complaints2011: 844 complaints2012: 422 complaints2013: 466 complaints2014: 1,018 complaints2015: 434 complaints2016: 177 complaints2017: 138 complaints2018: 88 complaints2019: 41 complaints2020: 25 complaints
Impala NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Impala years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Impala problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System24729%
Engine13416%
Seats809%
Speed Control708%
Transmission648%
Brakes395%
Airbags374%
Steering354%
Other354%
Visibility & Wipers293%
Tires & Wheels202%
Suspension172%
Fuel System172%
Body & Structure71%
Seat Belts61%
Lighting51%
Latches & Locks10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

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 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

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.

12V377000SuspensionAugust 3, 2012 · 36,413 units

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 10, 2020 · crash

“G.M. REPLACED MY INGINTION SWITCH ON A NATIONAL RECALL. I WAS HIT IN LEFT REAR QTR. PANEL. I LOST ALL POWER AND COULD NOT STOP OR STEER THE CAR. I CAREENED ACROSS HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A HOUSE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EITHER. G.M. SENT A TEAM TO RECOVER COMPUTER INFO AND HAS NOW TOLD ME THERE IS NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 18, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, HE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VIEW OF THE VEHICLE WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT HEADREST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 14, 2011 · crash

“DEC 2013 VEHICLE HIT POT HOLE WHILE BRAKING AT APPROACHING INTERSECTION, AFTER THAT WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ABS BRAKES/TRACT CONTROL/STAB CONTROL, I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE, THEN SHUT DOWN. SINCE THEN TEMP GAUGE WENT BAD N WAS REPLACED. THE 3 ABOVE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 20, 2013 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 16, 2017 · fire

2011 Chevrolet Impala — common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 844 complaints put the 2011 model at #10 of 52 Impala years. It is one of the Impala years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Impala problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (247 complaints), engine (134 complaints), seats (80 complaints).

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Chevrolet Impala. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Impala years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Impala years to avoid are 2004, 2009, 2008, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2017, 1996, 2018, 1995, 2019. The cleanest record among Impala years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.