2011 Chevrolet Impala recalls and problems

The 2011 Chevrolet Impala has 2 recalls and 505 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

2010 Chevrolet Impala
Pictured: a 2010 model; the 2011 may differ in details. Photo: 2010 Chevrolet Impala by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2011 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 21 Impala model years — 12th most.

2recalls
505complaints
22crashes
5fires
25injuries
60,400median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Electrical System

Jun 23, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Suspension

Aug 3, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V377000 · 36,413 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

GM's campaign number is 12104.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2010: 4 complaints20102011: 48 complaints2012: 39 complaints20122013: 44 complaints2014: 118 complaints20141182015: 58 complaints2016: 45 complaints20162017: 32 complaints2018: 44 complaints20182019: 27 complaints2020: 21 complaints20202021: 12 complaints2022: 5 complaints20222023: 6 complaints2024: 2 complaints20242

2011 vs. other Chevrolet Impala years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2011. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, the latest from Jun 23, 2014 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (134), electronic stability control (132), electrical system (95). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.