14636 - SPECIAL COVERAGE. SOME 2009 MODEL YEAR BUICK LACROSSE AND ALLURE VEHICLES AND 2009-2011 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES MAY HAVE A BROKEN SOLDER CONNECTION WITHIN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION (APP) SENSOR. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL ASSIST. ALL OTHER ACCESSORIES AND VEHICLE SYSTEMS WILL FUNCTION NORMALLY. WHILE THE CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL DISPLAY ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, AND MAY ALSO DISPLAY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITRAK. DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Impala cruise control problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have filed 49 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 65,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Impala | 27 |
| 2008 Impala | 60 |
| 2009 Impala | 90 |
| 2010 Impala | 31 |
| 2011 Impala (this page) | 49 |
| 2012 Impala | 9 |
| 2013 Impala | 11 |
| 2014 Impala | 12 |
| 2015 Impala | 5 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 49 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 49 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of Chevrolet Impala in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CHEVROLET/BUICK: SOME VEHICLES WILL OR MAY HAVE, WITHIN ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR, A BROKEN SOLDER CONNECTION CAUSING REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL ASSIST LOSS. MODEL 2009 LACROSSE, ALLURE, 2009-11 IMPALA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Car and Truck Fix it Right the First Time Issues
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CADILLAC/BUICK/CHEVROLET: ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO POSSIBLE FAULTY BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR, CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO ENGAGE OR STAY ENGAGED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM: 2006-2011 IMPALA. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE BOLTS ARE NOT TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across all 49 narratives centers on throttle position sensor or accelerator pedal assembly failures. Owners describe the dashboard lighting up with "Service Stabilitrak," "Service Traction Control," and "Engine Power Reduced" messages simultaneously, followed by sudden, dramatic loss of power—vehicles dropping from highway speeds (60–70 mph) to 20–30 mph or stalling entirely. This happens with little warning and no driver control.
Several owners report the accelerator pedal itself sticking down, wobbling to the side, or feeling like it might break off mid-drive. One owner's gas pedal nearly detached, hanging by wires. Others describe the pedal squeaking and losing responsiveness over time.
The failures are unpredictable—happening during highway merges, uphill climbs, turns, or even at idle—and many recur within weeks of repair. Owners consistently report spending $300–$500 to replace the throttle body or accelerator pedal assembly, only to have the warning lights reappear. Dealership diagnostics are often hit-or-miss; one shop "guessed" throttle position sensor without testing. The part is not covered under the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
A secondary pattern involves ABS, traction control, and stability control faults, sometimes triggered by wheel speed sensor failures, though replacing sensors often does not resolve the lights or the unwanted brake pulsing and steering loss that accompany them, suggesting a deeper wiring or control module problem.
One owner also notes cruise control disengages on downhills—the dealership claimed this is normal for fuel economy, but the owner disputes that cruise control should ever drop out during normal operation.
Same Chevrolet Impala cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Throttle Position Sensor / Accelerator Pedal Assembly Malfunction
The throttle position sensor (TPS) or accelerator pedal assembly fails, preventing normal throttle response and sometimes causing the pedal to stick in the down position. The sensor is integral to fly-by-wire throttle control and detects pedal position to signal the throttle body motor. When it fails, the engine control module cannot accurately track driver input, triggering reduced-power limp mode.
When: Various mileages reported: 27,000, 40,000–65,000 miles typical; some failures as low as 27,000 and as high as 139,000 miles. Failures occur during highway driving, city driving, acceleration from stops, and sometimes at idle.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Stabilitrak warning light on dash; Service Traction Control warning light; Engine Power Reduced warning message; Check Engine light; Loss of acceleration or inability to accelerate; Engine stalling or shutting off while driving; Sudden loss of speed (65 mph dropping to 20–30 mph); Throttle pedal sticking in the down position; Hesitation on acceleration; Jerking or surging, especially during shifts; Squeaking noise from accelerator pedal; Gas pedal wobbling or feeling loose; Engine idle issue when traction control activates
Codes mentioned: P2122
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacement costs ranging from $254–$500+ for aftermarket throttle body assembly or accelerator pedal replacement. Labor typically $80–$200. Some owners report the part failing again shortly after repair. GM dealership charges cited: $357–$500. Warranty does not cover this component under the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM charged customers out of warranty ($357–$500). One owner reported GM refunded $250 after direct contact. GM has not issued a recall; dealership staff sometimes guess at the diagnosis without proper diagnostic testing. Some owners report OnStar diagnostics misidentified the problem as fuel system.
ABS / Traction Control / Stability Control System Fault
The ABS, traction control, and stability control systems malfunction, often triggered by wheel speed sensor failures or wiring harness issues. These systems can cause unwanted braking application, power reduction, or loss of steering control. Some owners report replacing wheel hub speed sensors without resolving the issue, suggesting the root cause may be in wiring harnesses or the control module itself.
When: Reported at various mileages and conditions; one owner hit a pothole and fault lights appeared immediately after. Symptoms can be intermittent, worse in rain.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Stabilitrak warning light; Service Traction Control warning light; ABS warning light; Unexpected brake application or pulsing brake pedal (ABS grabbing); Engine Power Reduced message; Reduced steering control or loss of power steering; Vehicle slowing on its own; Jerking or shaking during turns and takeoffs; Intermittent warnings, especially when raining
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing wheel hub/speed sensors ($cost not consistently cited) without resolving the issue. One owner replaced a hub sensor and still experienced intermittent fault lights and brake pulsing. Multiple visits to mechanics and dealerships have not pinpointed the fault. Wiring harness replacement suspected but not confirmed by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response cited. Dealership diagnostic capability appears limited; one owner reported dealership staff 'guessed' at the problem.
Cruise Control Disengagement on Downhill
Cruise control disengages or fails to engage when the vehicle is traveling downhill or in mountainous terrain. One owner was told by dealership staff this is normal design behavior to save fuel, but the owner disputes this, noting cruise control is supposed to maintain set speed regardless of grade.
When: Occurs in mountainous/hilly terrain; set speed approximately 60–65 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control disengages when vehicle goes downhill; Cruise control fails to engage on downhill sections; Vehicle does not maintain set speed on descents
Codes mentioned:
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership told owner this is 'normal and all new cars do this to save gas.'
Synthesized from 49 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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 vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the accelerator would need to be replaced.…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 49 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 46,000 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 95,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Chevrolet/Impala.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.