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2011 Chevrolet Impala
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
505 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems dominate (26% of complaints, typically reported near 55k miles).
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#139 of 358Among the 2011 models with a matured record, the 2011 Chevrolet Impala ranks #139, scoring higher than 60% of them. See the 2011 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2011 Chevrolet Impala, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Seats (77)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
26%132 complaints · typically near 55k mi
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, SERVICE STABILITRAK - REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS COME UP A FEW TIMES. THIS TIME THOUGH WHILE STILL…”
Engine
25%125 complaints · typically near 70k mi
“Service stabilitrak warning, followed by reduced engine power, then car starts jerking.”
Electrical system
19%95 complaints · typically near 38k mi
“Service stabilitrak warning, followed by reduced engine power, then car starts jerking.”
Seats
15%77 complaints
“"TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION, WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND HIT HEAD ON. AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED ADDITIONALLY THE BACK OF DRIVERS SEA…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 5 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 505 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 30 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Electrical System · 14V355000
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.
Suspension · 12V377000
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.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Chevrolet before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report electronic stability control (esc) problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 55k miles). Has this car shown any electronic stability control (esc) symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 70k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2011 Chevrolet IMPALA beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2011? See how every Impala model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2011 Chevrolet Impala against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.