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 view mirror is the tops of the car(s) behind me, sometimes not that much. When backing up, you have to look around all…
2011 Chevrolet Impala visibility problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 24 visibility complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 11 model years of Chevrolet Impala we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 24.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the three rear headrest were elevated too high and the contact was unable to see out of the rear window. The contact stated that the head rests should be lowered or the vehicle should have come equipped with a back-up camera. The failure mileage was 21,000 and the current mileage was 22,000.
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 24 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 51,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.