Is the 2011 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
504 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 133, 6.3× a quiet Impala year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 50k–103k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 Impala owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 77,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 133 (26%) | 50k–103k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 132 (26%) | 50k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 68 (13%) | 46k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 64 (13%) | 50k–89k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 95 (19%) | 51k–113k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 38 (8%) | 46k–89k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 37 (7%) | 45k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 35 (7%) | 46k–95k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Traction control | 18 (4%) | 43k–77k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 17 (3%) | 45k–87k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 17 (3%) | 39k–98k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Wheels | 13 (3%) | 38k–86k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Seat belts | 6 (1%) | 37k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 77 (15%) | 0k–19k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 77,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 504 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 19 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
July 2013 had hub bearings replaced in order for car to pass inspection.
I turned my car on to let it warm up after work, then started driving home. Then some lights popped on. It said service stabilititrak.
While leaving from work I made a left turn onto a busy highway and my service traction control light, reduce engine power, and check engine light came on.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 77,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala: 2
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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.
This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 382
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2010 Impala: 442 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2012 Impala: 257 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Impala year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Impala years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
504 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 133, 6.3× a quiet Impala year. At 77,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 50k–103k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (133), stability control (132), speed control (68), transmission and drivetrain (64), electrical system (95). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 50k–103k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Impala have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-355), Suspension (NHTSA 12V-377). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.