2011 Chevrolet IMPALA
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Chevrolet IMPALA has 844 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 422. The most common issue is engine problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: my impala will not heat in idle position,no early morn defrosts for me! took to dealer ( 10/18/11) he found a leak, replaced a hose. it was good for a while, now doing again, (10/28/11), going back in shop on 11/3/11. also car will not heat when remote starter is used,comes up to temp everytime ju. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.
844
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
134 complaints- • MY IMPALA WILL NOT HEAT IN IDLE POSITION,NO EARLY MORN DEFROSTS FOR ME! TOOK TO DEALER ( 10/18/11) HE FOUND A LEAK, REPLACED A HOSE. IT WAS GOOD FOR A WHILE, NOW DOING AGAIN, (10/28/11), GOING BACK IN SHOP ON 11/3/11. ALSO CAR WILL NOT HEAT WHEN REMOTE STARTER IS USED,COMES UP TO TEMP EVERYTIME JU
- • I HAVE A CHEVY IMPALA, 2011, AND A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING IT THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO A SHOP, IT WENT OFF. IT CAME ON AGAIN YESTERDAY AND MY ENGINE POWER ALL BUT SHUT DOWN, I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THOUGHT I WOULDN'T MAKE IT. AFTER
- • I HAVE 42,000 ON MY 2011 CHEVY IMPALA AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THEN REDUCE ENGINE POWER AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. I HAVE READ IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME EXACT THING A
“MY IMPALA WILL NOT HEAT IN IDLE POSITION,NO EARLY MORN DEFROSTS FOR ME! TOOK TO DEALER ( 10/18/11) HE FOUND A LEAK, REPLACED A HOSE. IT WAS GOOD FOR A WHILE, NOW DOING AGAIN, (10/28/11), GOING BACK IN SHOP ON 11/3/11. ALSO CAR WILL NOT HEAT WHEN REMOTE STARTER IS USED,COMES UP TO TEMP EVERYTIME JU”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Chevrolet IMPALA
Based on 694 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
VISIBILITY
SPEED CONTROL
OTHER
BRAKES
STEERING
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Above-average theft risk
The Chevrolet IMPALA was the #11 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 8,400 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Older sedan; parts demand
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2011 Chevrolet IMPALA
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Chevrolet IMPALA
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet IMPALA Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2011 IMPALA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2011 Chevrolet IMPALA
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 844 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: MY IMPALA WILL NOT HEAT IN IDLE POSITION,NO EARLY MORN DEFROSTS FOR ME! TOOK TO DEALER ( 10/18/11) HE FOUND A LEAK, REPLACED A HOSE. IT WAS GOOD FOR A WHILE, NOW DOING AGAIN, (10/28/11), GOING BACK IN SHOP ON 11/3/11. ALSO CAR WILL NOT HEAT WHEN REMOTE STARTER IS USED,COMES UP TO TEMP EVERYTIME JU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: ON 5/11/12, THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHT CAME ON; THEN A NOTICE THAT THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED CAME ON. I CALLED THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND HE SAID I COULD BRING IT IN ON 5/14. I ASKED IF IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THE MEANTIME AND HE SAID NO. I WAS DRIVING ON 5/12 AND WAS STOPPED IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I OWN A 2011 CHEVY IMPALA AND FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY MY ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHT APPEARS. AS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM AMONG GM VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO FOUN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW DUE TO THE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS BLOCKING HER VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet IMPALA — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 844
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 7
- Crash reports
- 17
- Injury reports
- 23
- Segment avg
- 422
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Chevrolet IMPALA