Home · 2011 Chevrolet Impala Limited · Complaints

What 505 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Impala Limited

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (505)Crash / fire / injury (30)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (132)Engine (125)Electrical system (95)Seats (77)Speed control (69)Transmission & drivetrain (64)Brakes (38)Airbags (37)Steering (35)Visibility & wipers (28)

Newest first · 505 complaints · page 20 of 21

Aug 23, 2011Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON THRUWAY MY 2011 CHEVY IMPALA LOST POWER STEERING WENT DUE TO A BELT BROKE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF CAR. AFTER GETTING OFF THE THRUWAY,WE NOTICED THAT A PULLEY HAD COME APART. WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO DISINTEGRATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10421178

Aug 20, 2011Seats

2011 CHEVY IMPALA LT. REAR HEAD REST REDUCES VISIBILITY. DIFFICULT TO SEE VEHICLES WHEN DRIVING AND BACKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10420798

Aug 12, 2011Seats

2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE HEAD RESTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HEAD RESTS ARE THREE INCHES TO HIGH AND TOO WIDE. THE THREE HEAD RESTS BLOCK ALMOST 40% OF THE VIEW LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND OUT THE BACK WINDOW. THE PROBLEM IS THEY CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN OR REMOVED. *JB UPDATED 10/20/11.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10419071

Aug 11, 2011Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HEADRESTS WERE POSITIONED TOO HIGH AND OBSTRUCTED VISION WHILE REVERSING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ODI 10418563

Jul 19, 2011Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BECAUSE THE HEAD RESTS ON THE REAR SEATS WERE OBSTRUCTING HER VISION. THE HEAD RESTS COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED OR REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD RESTS WERE DESIGNED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES AND COULD NOT BE ALTERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

NHTSA ODI 10413566

Jul 18, 2011Body & structure1 injury

5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE IMPALA I SLICED MY LEG QUITE SEVERELY (2"X3" AND 1/2" DEEP) SIMPLY BY CLOSING THE DOOR. THE BOTTOM CORNER OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR COME TO A VERY SHARP POINT. BECAUSE OF MY AGE AND SIZE I NEED STAND FAIRLY CLOSE TO THE DOOR TO CLOSE IT. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND ELDERLY, ACTUALLY ANYONE WHO MAY BE A LITTLE WEAKER THAN AVERAGE. I TRIED TO RETURN OR EXCHANGE VEHICLE BUT DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO TAKE A $4315 LOSS. I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM THIS VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ODI 10414276

Jul 18, 2011Visibility & wipersSeats

BOUGHT 2011 IMPALA, REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS OBSTRUCTING VIEW ON REAR VIEW MIRROR. VERY HAZARDOUS, WILL PROBABLY CAUSE MANY ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLY DEATHS. LOT OF PERSONS COMPLAINING TO DEALER AND GM AND THEY SAY NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEIR REFUSAL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. *KB

NHTSA ODI 10413319

Jul 7, 2011Seats

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEATS HEAD REST WERE VERY WIDE AND OBSTRUCTED THE REAR AND SIDE VIEW. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 10410913

Jun 8, 2011Seats

REAR SEAT HEADRESTS (3) ARE EXTREMELY HIGH MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVER TO SEE VEHICLES IN REAR. DIFFICULTY IN BACKING CAR, AS WELL AS CHANGING LANES. HEADRESTS ARE SEWN INTO REAR SEAT; NON-ADJUSTABLE. HAD TO HAVE MIDDLE HEADREST REMOVED PERMANENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10405534

Jun 8, 2011Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT HEADREST WAS OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 07/18/11

NHTSA ODI 10405624

Jun 2, 2011Seats

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS WERE POSITIONED TOO HIGH, OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE HEAD RESTS WERE INSTALLED IN A MANNER IN WHICH THEY WERE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE EQUIPMENT COULD NOT BE ALTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI 10404151

May 18, 2011Visibility & wipersSeats

OVERSIZED, IMMOVABLE THIRD HEADREST IN MIDDLE OF BACK SEAT OF 2011 CHEVY IMPALA. BLOCKS VISION OUT OF REAR WINDOW - DRIVER CANNOT USE REAR VIEW MIRROR. DRIVER CANNOT SEE VEHICLE FOLLOWING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10401483

May 10, 2011Body & structure

2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER DEFECTIVE LEFT REAR DOOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR DOOR MOLDING WHERE THE CHROME MET THE DOOR WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. THE DEALER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ODI 10400350

May 9, 2011Seats

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR MIDDLE HEAD RESTRAINT WAS OBSTRUCTING HER VISION. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,900.

NHTSA ODI 10399620

May 2, 2011Transmission & drivetrain

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD HESITATE WHEN INDICATING WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5.

NHTSA ODI 10398525

May 2, 2011SeatsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADREST IN THE MIDDLE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS OBSTRUCTING HIS VIEW. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT CRASH INTO OBJECTS SINCE HE DID NOT HAVE A CLEAR VIEW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5.

NHTSA ODI 10398516

Apr 17, 2011Visibility & wipersSeats

I CANNOT SEE WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR DUE TO THE REDUCED VISIBILITY CAUSED BY THE HEAD RESTS ON THE REAR SEATS. THE VIEW WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS OBSTRUCTED SIGNIFICANTLY WITH ONLY 4 INCHES OF VISIBILITY BETWEEN THE CEILING OF THE THE CAR AND THE TOP OF THE HEAD RESTS. ALSO, THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE SMALL INCREASING THE POOR VISIBILITY IN THIS VEHICLE. THE HEAD REST PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED IF THE CAR SALESMAN HAD NOT SAT IN BACKSEAT IN THE MIDDLE. THE CAR DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT THE CAR BE TAKEN TO A LOCAL SEAT COVER COMPANY TO HAVE THE HEADRESTS REBUILT. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS.

NHTSA ODI 10397548

Apr 11, 2011Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS WERE TOO HIGH AND WAS BLOCKING HER VISION IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. UPDATED 06/17/11*LJ UPDATED 06/21/11

NHTSA ODI 10395506

Apr 6, 2011Visibility & wipersSeats

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY CAUSE BY THE HEAD RESTS ON THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIEW WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS OBSTRUCTED BY APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY PERCENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEAD LIGHTS FROM VEHICLES IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISAPPEAR DUE TO THE REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118.

NHTSA ODI 10394406

Mar 24, 2011Visibility & wipersSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT HEADRESTS WERE TOO HIGH AND OBSTRUCTING VISIBILITY THRU THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. IN ADDITION, HE STATED THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE ABNORMALLY SMALL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE, STATING THAT THEY COULD NOT ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD POSSIBLY LOWER THE SEAT OR CUT DOWN THE HEADREST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA ODI 10392744

Mar 14, 2011Seats

THE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS ARE TOO TALL AND BLOCK VISION ESPECIALLY CENTER HEAD REST,MAKES BACKING UP VERY DIFFICULT, ALSO WHILE DRIVING BLOCKS VISION OF ANY THING BEHIND YOU .THESE ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE OR REMOVABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10391548

Mar 10, 2011Seats

2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA S.T. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS BEING MUCH HIGHER THAN THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR CAR WINDOW AND BLOCKS OUT ABOUT 40% OR MORE OF VISION WHEN LOOKING OR USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED LOWERING OR ELIMINATING THE REAR SEAT HEAD REST WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND RESTORE SAFETY TO USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND RESTORE 100% VISION TO THE REAR WINDOW. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10389508

Feb 2, 2011Seats

REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY IN THE 2011 CHEVY IMPALA IS SEVERELY LIMITED BY THE PLACEMENT OF READ SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS. A VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND YOU IS COMPLETELY HIDDEN FROM VIEW USING THE REARVIEW MIRROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10379965

Feb 1, 2011Visibility & wipers

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE THREE OF THE HEADREST LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BLOCKED 75% OF HER VIEW. THE FAILURE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER AND TO CHANGE LANES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ADJUST THE REAR HEADREST, BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE THEM LIABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200. UPDATED 03/11/11*LJ UPDATED 12/30/11 *CN

NHTSA ODI 10379845

Jan 7, 2011Seats

THE THREE HEAD RESTS PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO THE REAR SEAT BLOCK THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR, CREATING A HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10375065

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Working with the data? Download all 505 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Chevrolet Impala Limited verdict →