This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Impala visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Impala | 14 |
| 2008 Impala | 9 |
| 2009 Impala | 9 |
| 2010 Impala | 5 |
| 2011 Impala (this page) | 24 |
| 2012 Impala | 3 |
| 2013 Impala | 3 |
| 2014 Impala | 15 |
| 2015 Impala | 5 |
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the listed DTC's may set with or without poor engine performance.
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 is the 2011 Impala's three fixed rear-seat headrests—particularly the center one—which block 50 to 90 percent of the rear-window view. Built into the rear seat or window shelf and immovable, these headrests leave only 4 inches of visibility between the roof line and their tops. Owners report seeing only the tops of trailing vehicles or nothing at all in the rear-view mirror, and several describe the center headrest as blocking the entire middle of the window. Backing up safely and changing lanes become difficult or dangerous. Adjusting the driver's seat to maximum height or tweaking interior and exterior mirrors does not help. Shorter drivers and younger occupants report the obstruction is even worse. Many owners note GM redesigned the 2012 Impala with two adjustable side headrests only, yet issued no recall for the 2011 model. One owner reports replacement 2012-style headrests cost at least $400; dealers have suggested seat-cover companies rebuild them or independent mechanics cut them down.
Secondary issues include a windshield wiper transmission bearing failure at 51,000 miles, a rear defogger that failed intermittently and emitted smoke around 45,000 miles, spontaneous rear-window shattering at 55,000 miles, climate-control noise with intermittent defrost failure at 84,000 miles, and a blend-door actuator that jammed repeatedly since March 2013. Most received minimal manufacturer support.
Same Chevrolet Impala visibility reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Rear headrest obstruction of rear-view visibility
Three fixed, non-adjustable rear seat headrests—especially the center one—block 50–90% of the rear window view when using the rear-view mirror. The headrests are built into the rear seat or window shelf and cannot be removed, adjusted, or folded down. Owners report the obstruction makes it difficult or impossible to see vehicles directly behind, change lanes safely, and back up without significant blind spots. The issue affects drivers of all heights, but is worse for shorter drivers. Attempts to compensate by raising the driver's seat or adjusting interior and exterior mirrors do not resolve the problem.
When: Present from low mileage (as early as 0–200 miles); complaints filed throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: 70–90% of rear window view blocked by center and side headrests; Vehicles directly behind not visible in rear-view mirror; Difficulty changing lanes due to rear blind spot; Difficulty backing up safely; Increased hazard for shorter drivers or when children drive the vehicle; Only 4 inches of visibility between headrest tops and roof; Headlights of trailing vehicles intermittently disappear from view
Repairs/costs cited: Owner in narrative #4 states replacement 2012 Impala headrest components cost at least $400 for the three parts. Dealership in narrative #6 suggested taking vehicle to local seat-cover company to rebuild headrests. Narrative #10 dealer advised independent mechanic could possibly lower seat or cut down headrest. No manufacturer fix or recall offered; GM stated design cannot be altered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM made the change in the 2012 model year, replacing the three fixed headrests with two adjustable side headrests only. No recall issued for 2011 model. Manufacturer denied assistance per narratives #14 and #20. Dealership in #12 stated they could not adjust rear headrest because it would make them liable.
Windshield wiper transmission bearing failure
Windshield wiper motor failed due to a faulty bearing in the wiper transmission. Owner reports the wipers stopped functioning during use without warning during a rain storm.
When: Approximately 51,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers failed to function during use; Failure occurred without warning during rain
Repairs/costs cited: Taken to independent mechanic. Faulty bearing in windshield wiper transmission diagnosed and transmission replaced. Vehicle was repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure; stated there were no recalls and offered no additional assistance.
Rear defogger inoperative with smoke emission
Rear defogger failed to operate, blocking rear visibility. Owner reported smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle during the failure.
When: Approximately 45,000 miles; failure recurred multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Rear defogger failed to operate; Smoke emitted from rear of vehicle; Multiple recurrence of failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure.
Rear window spontaneous shattering
Rear window shattered without apparent cause. Owner noted there were no cracks on the window prior to failure that would indicate imminent breakage.
When: 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window shattered spontaneously; No visible cracks before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Taken to private mechanic and repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure.
Climate control noise and intermittent defrost failure
Abnormal noise from the dashboard when climate control was engaged. Defrost system failed to operate intermittently as a result.
When: 84,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from dashboard when climate control engaged; Defrost system failed intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed climate control unit required replacement. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure.
Blend door actuator jamming
Blend door actuator in the vents jammed. Owner reports having to fix the same issue three times since March 2013.
When: Multiple occurrences since March 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Blend door actuator jammed; Recurring issue requiring repeated fixes
Repairs/costs cited: Owner repaired the issue three times (parts and cost not specified).
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
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.