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 the dealership. Later, I was ready to take the car into the dealer and it started fine with no error messages or check…
2011 Chevrolet Impala powertrain problems
moderate 60 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
60
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 60 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 60 powertrain 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.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Impala powertrain has two critical, recurring issues: transmissions failing as early as 37,000 miles with repair bills exceeding $4,400, and engine power loss events at highway speed that can leave you coasting without warning. Many failures occur after the warranty expires, leaving owners responsible for full repair costs.
The 2011 Impala powertrain complaints cluster around two main problem areas: transmission failure and engine power loss events.
Transmission failures dominate the narratives. Owners report transmissions going out between 36,700 and 183,500 miles, with many failures occurring well before 100,000 miles. Common failure modes include complete loss of forward gears, slipping out of gear without warning, violent jerking on acceleration from a stop, inability to shift into second gear, and in some cases, multiple transmission replacements on the same vehicle. Owners describe internal damage such as stripped gears, metal fragments, torque converter failure, planetary gear failure, and broken apply bands. Repair costs exceed $3,000–$4,400 per transmission replacement. A handful of owners mention transmission pressure solenoid issues, with one noting this appears endemic to 4T65E transmissions across multiple model years.
Engine power loss and stalling events occur without warning at highway speeds and city traffic. Owners report simultaneous illumination of Service StabiliTrak, Check Engine, Reduced Engine Power, and Service Traction Control lights. The vehicle loses power, rpms may rise but acceleration fails, and in several cases the engine shuts down entirely, forcing owners to coast to safety. Diagnostics have identified throttle body issues, accelerator pedal position sensor failures, and APP sensor failures. Some owners note the problem resolves temporarily after restarting; others find it persists. A few owners mention the issue appears related to wet weather or specific driving conditions. Dealer responses have been inconsistent—some replace components under warranty, others cite the vehicle as out of warranty despite the owner having just purchased it.
Safety concerns are explicit: owners describe nearly being struck by following traffic, inability to complete passing maneuvers, and loss of steering assist when the engine quits.
Same Chevrolet Impala powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure—complete loss of drive
Transmission fails to move vehicle forward; gears lock, slip, or disengage without warning. Internal components including gears, torque converter, planetary gears, and apply bands reported as damaged, stripped, or broken. Vehicle may still have reverse.
When: 36,700–183,500 miles; commonly 50,000–100,000 miles. Failures documented as early as 3 years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not move forward or in any gear; Transmission slips out of gear into neutral; Rough or violent shifting, especially into second gear; High-pitched whining noise during shift attempt; Engine revs but no acceleration; Grinding or abnormal noise from transmission
Codes mentioned: P1811, Code 693FFEE5
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; repair costs $3,368–$4,400. Some dealers covered partial cost under powertrain warranty; others denied coverage once base warranty expired. One owner had transmission replaced three separate times since 2015.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some covered under warranty or offered partial reimbursement. One owner reported NHTSA case #71-1194752825 and replacement under warranty. Several owners reported GM offered no assistance; one case covered under 5-year/100K powertrain warranty; some noted warranty denied because vehicle exceeded mileage threshold.
Hard or erratic transmission engagement from stop
When accelerating from a complete stop, transmission hesitates, delays engagement, or engages with a violent surge. Described as stalling briefly, then jerking forward hard enough to feel rear-ended.
When: Reported from 38,000 miles onward; intermittent at first, increasing in frequency over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or delay when pressing accelerator from stop; Violent surge or jerk forward when transmission finally engages; Loud bang or clunk sound on engagement; Vehicle stalls momentarily, then jumps forward; Whining noise during engagement attempt; No response at first, then sudden high-rpm surge
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports transmission pressure solenoid replacement by independent shop fixed the problem; solenoid costs approximately $25 but labor-intensive to access. Owner notes this issue appears common on 4T65E transmissions and may extend back to 2000–2002 models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for this specific failure mode at time of complaints. One owner states GM knows about the problem and should initiate a recall.
Reduced engine power and stalling at speed
Engine loses power or shuts down entirely, often at highway speeds, triggered by simultaneous illumination of Service StabiliTrak, Check Engine, Reduced Engine Power, and Service Traction Control lights. Vehicle may slow to 10–25 mph or become immobile. Restart may temporarily restore function.
When: Reported across multiple mileages; one case at 22,000 miles, others at 44,815–79,000 miles. Occurs both in cold weather and randomly.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down without warning while driving; Vehicle loses power and slows dramatically while accelerating; Service StabiliTrak, Check Engine, Reduced Engine Power, and/or Service Traction Control lights illuminate; Engine revs but vehicle will not accelerate; Rough idle; Vehicle slows from highway speed to 10–25 mph or stops entirely; Steering becomes hard or unresponsive after engine loss
Codes mentioned: P2138
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs cited include throttle body replacement, accelerator pedal position sensor replacement, APP sensor replacement, engine control module replacement, stabilizer shaft link replacement, and throttle body cover/sensor kit replacement. Owners report costs of $700+ for diagnosis alone.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers have replaced components under powertrain warranty (5 year/100K miles) for some owners; denied for others citing warranty expiration or mileage limits. One owner received recall notification (NHTSA Campaign 14V355000) but part was unavailable. Several owners state GM made no offer of assistance.
Wheel bearing or ABS sensor related fault codes
Service StabiliTrak and similar lights triggered by wheel bearing or ABS sensor failure; in one case, a disconnected wheel bearing sensor line caused persistent warning lights. Lights often clear temporarily after restart but return.
When: First occurrence reported 3 months after purchase; recurring 6+ months later. One case at high mileage (183,500 miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Service StabiliTrak light illuminates; Engine Power Reduced message; Service Traction Control light; Lights often clear after vehicle sits for 30 minutes; Lights recur after restart or after driving; Lights appear to correlate with wet weather
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had wheel bearing replaced; lights recurred. Another owner found dealer had failed to reconnect wheel bearing sensor line; reconnection resolved the lights. ABS system repairs also noted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer covered repair out of warranty as goodwill because owner had just purchased vehicle. Another dealer diagnosed bad wheel bearing but provided no documentation.
Transmission solenoid failure—pressure control malfunction
Transmission pressure control solenoid fails intermittently, preventing smooth engagement from a stop. Vehicle responds with violent surge when solenoid engages after delay.
When: After approximately 30,000 miles; intermittent initially, worsening over time.
Symptoms owners cite: No response when accelerating from stop; Higher RPMs with no forward motion; Sudden violent surge forward when transmission engages; Loud bang or clunk on engagement; No check engine light or warning to indicate problem
Repairs/costs cited: Solenoid itself costs roughly $25 but labor-intensive to replace. Owner describes it as a costly repair for an inexpensive part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Owner states this is a known problem on 4T65E transmissions and GM should initiate a recall to install improved solenoids.
Multiple transmission failures on same vehicle
One owner reports transmission replaced three separate times since 2015. Another owner experienced transmission failure, then replacement unit failed approximately one month later with different symptoms.
When: First failure at unknown mileage; second failure approximately one month after replacement; third and subsequent failures at unknown timing.
Symptoms owners cite: Initial transmission failure with no acceleration and yellow warning light; Rough vibration at low speed after replacement unit installed; Shuddering when releasing throttle on freeway; Vinegar smell noted for 4 days after replacement unit failure
Repairs/costs cited: First replacement paid by owner at Ferman Chevrolet of Tampa; subsequent replacements performed at independent mechanics. One owner reports new transmission failed after one month and cost $4,400 to replace initially.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance on subsequent failures.
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving, the following lights came on 3 months after purchase. Service stabilitrak, engine power reduced, service traction control. Turned car off for about 30 minutes, and lights went off and were able to drive home. That monday, took car to dealer, and were told it was a part that had something to do with the fuel. Out of warrant, but they covered it anyway considering I just purchased…
Upon cranking the car using the key, the car started to make a ticking noise on the right side appearing to come from the engine when the temperature knob is set to heat; however, when the noise stops when the temperature is moved to cold air. The car was service when I purchased it in june 2014 by willett Honda south. Now, december 2014, the noise has started again, as well as, the transmission…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 53 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 51,000 and 91,000 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,000; a quarter make it past 91,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.