YearToAvoid

2011 Chevrolet Impala Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 174 engine-related complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, 34% of all 505 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
174
34% of 505
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
68,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden engine stalling or power loss while driving at highway speeds, sometimes leading to loss of vehicle control.
  • Multiple owners describe the 'Service Stabilitrak' or 'Reduce Engine Power' warning lights coming on followed by a sharp drop in engine power, even at low mileage.
  • Some owners report the throttle body causing reduced acceleration and hesitation when pulling into traffic or climbing inclines.
  • One owner reported smoke and fire originating near the A/C blower motor area after a loud clicking noise, though this may be a separate system issue.
  • One owner reported the cruise control causing unintended acceleration on a downhill grade before the vehicle returned to normal after braking.

When 2011 Chevrolet Impala engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 2, 2011, latest Aug 31, 2024.

2011 Chevrolet Impala engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter182011 Q42013 Q32015 Q12016 Q32018 Q12019 Q42021 Q22024 Q1
174 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2024 Q3; peak 2014 Q2 (18).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Impala model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010122 (28%)
  2. 2011174 (34%)
  3. 201252 (20%)
  4. 201347 (17%)
  5. 201482 (13%)
  6. 201527 (9%)
  7. 201623 (21%)
  8. 201722 (19%)
  9. 20189 (15%)
  10. 20192 (7%)
  11. 20201 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have?
NHTSA lists 174 engine complaints for the 2011 Impala, which is 34% of the 505 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala engine problems?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints on this model year.
At what mileage do 2011 Impala engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2011 Impala is 68,000 miles.
Did the 2011 Impala engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint area shows 3 crashes, 3 fires, and 6 injuries reported.
How does the 2011 Impala compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2011 model year has the highest share of engine complaints among the years listed, at 34%, compared to 28% for 2010 and 20% for 2012.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.