Chevrolet Impala problems
505 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Electrical system: 80 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 56,000–120,000 mi
- Steering: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 47,000–95,620 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I started my car after a cold night and immediately got a "service stabilitrak", "engine power reduced", and "service trance ion control" messages. The car had an extremely rough idle and then would not accelerate to more than 25 MPH. I returned home and made an appointment at…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH the vehicle hesitated. The contact applied more pressure to the accelerator pedal and the vehicle stalled. The traction stabilizer warning light began to illuminate one week later. The…
My complaint with this vehicle is visibility caused by the rear headrests when using the rear view mirror. Gm built the back seat with 3 large headrests "which cannot be removed" that blocks almost the entire rear window. When driving the car, the most I can see in the rear…
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 505 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Chevrolet Impala is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
The 2011 Chevrolet Impala is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 80 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 56,000–120,000 mi; Steering: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 47,000–95,620 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 80 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,347 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 90,347 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Impala has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 505 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.