What 505 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Impala

Service stabilitrak warning, followed by reduced engine power, then car starts jerking.

NHTSA ODI 11563735

i own a 2011 chevy impala 4 door that has a very serious engine issue. I was on my way home and suddenly the service stability trac, and check engine light came on, then the message center displayed reduced engine power and low oil pressure then the engine shut off. I tried to restart the vehicle and it would not restart. I got it towed to a parking lot where it sat over night then it would restart but only for a few minutes. Once I got a scanner hooked up it had a p0642 code lost 5 volt reference circuit 1 and a cam sensor code I worked on this vehicle for two days and still have not found the issue. this vehicle needs a recall since this is a recurring issue with a few different model years of this vehicle and its always the same issue word for word, check engine light comes on, service stability trac, reduced engine power and low oil pressure lights come on the same p0642 lost 5 volt reference circuit 1. This is a very dangerous situation when going down the road and you lose engine power, steering and braking power. GM needs to correct this issue too many people have had this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11561755

This problem has happened for many many years. Made appointments @ Fuccillo Chevy dealer, by then it’s gone off & they don’t know! Well, just occurred again when getting new tires @Dunn pulling in. 2011 impala Stabilitrak, engine power loss, then check engine light! Thank goodness the mechanic printed me the codes & what they mean!! SO- P2138 Throttle/pedal pod sensor voltage correlation DTC P0523 Engine oil pressure sensor/switch high input Same complaint of loss of power as I’ve now seen others write about!! Voltage referring to throttle ‘s ability to open/close properly. An electrical malfunction in manufacturing! RECALL!!! Obviously I actually have another impala- 2007 that the rear defrost wire’s actually burnt @ control junction, been replaced now. Could’ve caused a fire !! High beam lights come on intermittently when using the turn signals!! Stand by your product !!!! I have 2 Impala’s, 2007, 2011. My mother has Impala, 2015. My sister has an Impala, 2017. Impala family I guess- kinda funny, all are black Impalas!!! I’ve seen numerous complaints of this same issue! Defect! R u waiting 4 an accident or a death? GO !!!! Has happened numerous times b4 This report, Chevy dealer has previously stated can’t anything because the code disappears on its own. What’s with that? Resets itself?? It does!! Sure have had it happen, 20 x’s?? I make an appointment & by that time- gone! Seriously!!! Finally caught it 2 code it !!

NHTSA ODI 11554752

Service stabilitrak warning light goes off and on intermittently when this happens the traction control light comes on when hooked up it shows no codes everything I’ve read on line is that it’s a electrical issue to replace wheel bearings or gas pedal or other list of sensors shouldn’t this be something that you should investigate to let owners know what to fix it seems to be a issue on several different models of Chevy autos if forums are correct next step is it will go into limp mode or shut off completely that one would think would be a serious safety issue as you loose power steering as you have to fight to get to shoulder of the highway

NHTSA ODI 11472265

Today, 6-12-2022, driving on US Highway 80 at 65 mph headed toward Phenix City, AL from Columbus, GA, the the engine shuddered, then the "Stabilitrack Service Light" came on, along with the check engine light, and a message for "reduced engine power." Then, the engine suddenly cut out as I was going uphill between the Riverchase Exit and the Summerville Exit. Luckily, I was driving and not my wife. I was able to glide the car back to the right shoulder of the road under ZERO power, and shut the ignition down. Cars were passing me at 65-75 mph, and I was very fortunate not to have caused an accident. After sitting there for about 5 minutes in 96 degree heat and my wife freaking out in the passenger seat, I restarted the car and eased it to the Summerville Exit, and slowly drove home, about another 6 miles. We were damn lucky not to have been hit by another car, as this happened on a what is essentially a freeway. After researching this , it seems this is a common problem being reported on this Model, the Chevy Impala. I'm sure Chevrolet knows about this...the company should be forced to recall this car model and fix it before folks start getting killed due to total engine failure...especially at a high speed like I was driving.

NHTSA ODI 11468890

The car was purchased 06/23/2021. Approx 2 weeks or less later the car had to be taken to the shop where it was purchased at due to the engine going in the car. There have been 3 loaner cars given while car is being fixed however after now 4 months the car is still just sitting at the shop where it was purchased at without the engine being replaced or repaired. There is a loan on this vehicle and it is very unfair that the loan has to continue to be paid for when the car is not in possession of the owner. I do not want the car back at this point because it is now out of warranty and has been sitting for a long time without being fixed. I have called many times and have been getting the run around. Now the owner of the shop or workers will not answer my phone calls. My name is [XXX] my contact information is [XXX]. I am helping my son out because he is and have been getting the runaround since he purchased this vehicle from Ecars. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11436285

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to an empty parking lot. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418004

- SERVICE STABILITRAK. A REDUCED POWER LIGHT USUALLY INDICATES A FAIRLY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE SYSTEM. WHEN THIS LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE VEHICLE WILL OFTEN GO INTO A 'SAFE MODE', WHICH WILL SEVERELY LIMIT THE SPEED OF THE CAR AND IN SOME CASES WILL RENDER THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11398004

I WAS DRIVING AND A PART IN MY A/C BEGAN CLICKING LOUDLY, THEN THE AIR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND STARTED SMOKING. A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM WHERE THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR IS AND WITHIN MOMENTS THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 11374324

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHANGE THROTTLE BODY, SERVICE STABILITY TRAC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOSMART - LONGVIEW LOCATED AT 1151 MCCANN RD, LONGVIEW, TX 75601, (833) 586-2886 HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC RESET THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,068.

NHTSA ODI 11372659

WHEN I GOT THE CAR I NEW IT NEEDED NEW TIRES SO I WENT TO THE TIRE SHOP FRO.M THE DEALERSHIP BUT I ASK THE DEALER IF THE CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULD FEEL IT SHIMMY HE WAS TRYING TO SALE ME AND 2009 BUT I COULD HERE ITS POWER STEERING PUMP WAS OUT THEY WERE BOTH THE SAME PRICE IT ONLY MADE SINCE TO GET THE NEWER CAR. AFTER PUTTING NEW TIRES ON I SEEN IT NEEDED OIL CHANGE THEN AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED SERVICED. WHILE I WAS DOING THAT I CALLED TO ASK THE GUY IF HE WAS GOING TO HELP ME OUT. LOL YEA BRING IT IN ALL CHARGE YOU TWICE AS MUCH AS THE PLACE YOU ARE AT RIGHT NOW SO I LET HIM KNOW I WOULD LET ALL MY FRIENDS KNOW. IT WAS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. ITS BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER THEN THE FLAPPER FOR THE VENT STARTED FLAPPING AND MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE ALL THE TIME THERE NO WORKING AIR CONDITIONING SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT NEEDS BRAKES AND ROTTERS AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON SO I WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE 29.9 INTERESTED THE LOAN OFFICE CONTRACT ME BECAUSE IM PAYING IT OFF TO FAST AND SAYS I SIGNED TO WRONG LOAN AGREEMENT AND WANTS MORE MONEY THERE IN CAHOOTS TOGETHER IT WOULDNT LET ME MARK EVERYTHING THATS WRONG

NHTSA ODI 11350221

WORST CAR GM IS HORRIBLE

NHTSA ODI 11348486

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MESSAGE CAME ACROSS SAYING REDUCING ENGINE POWER. THEN SAID TO SERVICE STABILIZER. IT THEN TURNED OFF TRACTION CONTROL. WE WERE DRIVING HOME FROM VACATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AFTER A BIT DRIVING THE WHOLE CAR SHIFT OFF WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE MESSAGE ON DASH SAID IT DISABLED OUR STARTER. WE ALMOST DID NOT GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE AND COULD NOT GET TO THE SHOULDER. MY HUSBAND HAD TO MAKE THE DECISION TO PASS ACROSS INTO ONCOMING BECAUSE THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO ONE COMING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328750

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE STABILIZER TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11306923

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS LOCKED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCH SOUND, JERK VIOLENTLY AND FINALLY SHIFT INTO THE GEAR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE REAL SLOW IN ORDER TO GET GOING AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER GOING UP HILLS. THE DEALER H & H AUTO SALES (1007 E STUART DR, GALAX, VA 24333 (276) 236-7300) STATED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN BUT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAD ALREADY FIXED THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD LEAKY VALVE COVERS AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO THE CONTACT WITH A RECALL THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT THE DEALER JEFF JOHNSON CHEVROLET (2533 CARROLLTON PIKE, WOODLAWN, VA 24381 (276) 779-4620). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,500.

NHTSA ODI 11302163

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 DRIVING MY ENGINE POWER WAS GREATLY REDUCED WITH THE ERROR, "STARTER DISABLED, SERVICE THROTTLE". THIS LED TO A DRASTIC DECREASE IN SPEED WITH ZERO CONTROL OVER THROTTLE AND MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR ROLLED TO A HALT.

NHTSA ODI 11300986

JANUARY 2019 WAS DRIVING ON A VERY CONGESTED INTERSTATE 95 AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 65. A WARNING POPPED UP ON MY DASH BOARD.SERVICE STABIL TRAK ENGINE IN REDUCED POWER. IT WAS LIKE I LONGER CONTROLLED MY CAR. THE SPEED SUDDENLY DROPPED. I WENT FROM 65MPH TO MAYBE 30MPH. IT FELT LIKE MY BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED . I BECAME SCARED AND ALMOST STARTED TO PANIC. BUT BECAUSE I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE. I SAT THERE ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH MY HEART RACING AND MY HANDS LOCKED ON THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THEY CRAMPED UP. I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND REMOVED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. I THANKED GOD I WAS ALONE IN THAT CAR. I THANKED GOD THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS NOT TAILGATING ME. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR UP. THE WARNING WAS GONE BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE INTERSTATE SO I PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND DROVE ON THE SHOULDER AT 20-30MPH UNTIL I GOT TO THE FIRST EXIT. I MADE IT HOME. I CALLED A CAR REPAIR COMPANY. THEY TOLD ME THE SENSOR MORE THAN LIKELY NEED TO BE RESET. THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED MY CAR UP AND ALL WARNING WERE GONE SO I DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE CAR RAN FINE UNTIL TODAY 52/20/2019. I JUST FILLED MY TANK UP WITH GAS. TURNED IT ON PUT IT IN GEAR AND DROVE 20FEET WHEN THE SAME ERROR CAME ON . I HAD LOOKED UP THIS ERROR ON THE INTERNET. SEEMS LOTS OF AMERICANS HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED BECAUSE A CAR MAKER HAS A MECHANISM BUILT IN TO IT VEHICLE THAT TAKES CONTROL OF THE SPEED TO WHICH THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. PEOPLE ARE SPENDING A LOT MONEY TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO NOT HAVE A FIX. CHEVROLET IS PUTTING THE LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON THE ROADS IN JEOPARDY WITH THEIR STABIL TRAK COMPUTER SENSORS.YOUR FAILING AMERICANS

NHTSA ODI 11208636

GET AN ERROR OUT OF NOWHERE STATING SERVICE STABILITRACK, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

NHTSA ODI 11197100

DRIVING AT ABOUT 70MPH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME WITH WITH THE READING SERVICE STABILITY TRACK, ENGINE REDUCED POWER AN DISABLED STARTED, SERVICE THROTTLE INSTANTLY I LOSS ALL RMPS AN MY STEERING WHEEL ALMOST FULLY LOCKED WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL ON MOTION. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO JUS BARLEY VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO SAFETY. WHY WOULD A CAR COMPANY HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THIER VEHICLES. THAT WOULD LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE GOING AT ACCELERATED SPEEDS

NHTSA ODI 11194468

TAKATA THE PROBLEM THAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR IS THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE IS ALWAYS COME ON AND WHEN I'M ON THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY MY SPEED REDUCE AND MY CAR CAN SHUT OFF AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING AND IT CAN CAUSE A BAD WRECK. THE PROBLEM BEEN HAPPEN FOR A MINUTE NOW

NHTSA ODI 11193505

WHILE IN MOTION MY 2011 CHEVY IMPALA UP A HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE DASH WILL COME UP AND SAY STABILITRAK DISABLED TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED THEN THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO NOT STEER CORRECTLY THEN I WILL HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IT THEN REPEATS ITSELF AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME

NHTSA ODI 11192774

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. ALSO, THE STABILIZER TRACK AND ENGINE SERVICE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE COASTED AS IT REGAINED SOME POWER, BUT THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY BE DRIVEN TO ITS DESTINATION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 11141765

I KEEP GETTING ERRORS OF CHECK STABILITRAK ENGINE POWER REDUCED I HAVE CHANGED THE THROTTLE BODY

NHTSA ODI 11140669

YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT I THINK? OK...HERE'S WHAT I THINK. I THINK THAT IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION AND PERSONALLY I THINK IT'S ILLEGAL THAT GM CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT HAVING TO PUT OUT A RECALL FOR THE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" ISSUE THAT JUST ABOUT EVERY MAKE AND MODEL OF GM VEHICLES HAVE. IT'S NOT ONLY TIME CONSUMING TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FIX WOULD BE BECAUSE IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE SAME THING WRONG ON EACH VEHICLE (AND WHEN YOU DO HAVE IT FIXED IT DOESN'T LAST VERY LONG UNTIL THE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" WARNING COMES BACK), IT'S ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE POWER IS REDUCED AND ACTUALLY TURNS THE CAR ENGINE OFF NO MATTER IF YOU'RE DRIVING OR NOT. IT SHUT MY 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA ENGINE OFF AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THANK GOD THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM THIS WAS UNTIL I STARTED RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM. IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL THAT YOU PAY YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY FOR A VEHICLE AND IT NOT ONLY ISN'T WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE PAYING FOR BUT IT CAN ACTUALLY TAKE YOUR LIFE AND RUIN YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE GM'S BOTTOM LINE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEIR CUSTOMERS LIVES. I'VE FILLED A COMPLAINT ON THIS PROBLEM ALREADY AND IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE AND IT'S THE CAUSE OF GRIEF FOR MY FAMILY I WILL MAKE IT MY MISSION TO MAKE SURE GM NOT ONLY FIXES THEIR CRAPPY WORKMANSHIP BUT THAT THEY ALSO DIG INTO THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND COMPENSATE THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE HEARTACHE AND GRIEF THEY HAVE CAUSED. IT'S A PRETTY SIMPLE FIX FOR THEM AND THAT WOULD BE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND JUST FIX IT, BUT I JUST DON'T THINK THEY CARE ENOUGH TO DO THAT. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY GUY, BUT AFTER THIS IMPALA I WILL NEVER OWN OR DRIVE ANOTHER GM PRODUCT FOR AS LONG AS I AM AROUND. THAT'S WHAT I THINK. SIGNED, CHEVY GUY FORCED TO NOT BE A CHEVY GUY

NHTSA ODI 11121777

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND A MESSAGE CAME UP SAYING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BECAUSE MY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ODI 11121315