2011 Chevrolet Impala Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Chevrolet Impala has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners most often reported Engine (174 complaints) and Brakes (169 complaints) issues, with 2 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 Impala years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 505
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 25
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 18 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
Top 2011 Chevy Impala problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine174 (34%)
- Brakes169 (33%)
- Electrical System99 (20%)
- Structure & Body85 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain64 (13%)
- Airbags37 (7%)
- Other35 (7%)
- Steering35 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during frontal or head-on crashes at low to moderate speeds, sometimes causing chest, rib, or wrist injuries.
- Rear middle headrest blocked the driver's view during reverse, contributing to backing-into-object crashes.
- Vehicles reportedly stalled at highway or city speeds, sometimes triggering check engine and traction control warning lights before loss of power.
- Braking failed to stop the vehicle in time after hitting a pothole, with ABS, traction control, and stability control warning lights flashing intermittently.
- Burning fumes and warning light activation were reported alongside stalling incidents, in one case following a related recall.
2011 Chevrolet Impala recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V355000Jun 23, 2014Electrical System3,141,731 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 12V377000Aug 3, 2012Suspension, Wheels & Tires36,413 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
2011 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2011 Impala has a complaint index of 73, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Impala years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
- Engine complaints lead with 174 reports (34% share), followed by Brakes with 169 reports (33%) and Electrical System issues with 99 reports (20%), based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Impala: one for an airbag/key ring issue (campaign 14V355000) and one for front lower control arm fracture risk on police vehicles (campaign 12V377000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What mileage do 2011 Impala problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 60,425 for the 2011 Impala overall, with Engine issues around 68,000 miles and Brakes around 69,189 miles.
- How does the 2011 Impala compare to other Impala years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 73 is better than 2007-2009 and 2014, which were rated Avoid with indexes from 80 to 100, but worse than 2012, 2013, and 2015-2020, which earned Good or Best verdicts.