Home · 2011 Chevrolet Impala · Complaints

What 505 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Impala

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)

69 of 505 complaints match · Speed control · clear filters · page 1 of 3

Aug 31, 2024Speed control

After getting into my parked car and starting it, the Stabilitrak warning message came on my display. This is the 2nd tike that this occurred. The first time it occured, my mechanic diagnosed it as a failed throttle body, which I replaced myself, (easy removal/installation). Now, a couple of months later, it occurred again. After doing some online research, it seems as though the position sensor on the accelerator pedal may be at fault. A lot, if not most cars today have a "fly-by-wire" system which replaces cables and such with sensors and motors. So, the accelerator, (gas), pedal controls the movement of the butterfly valve on the throttle body by sending a signal to the motor. I'm going to replace that... about $140 or so. I saw a YouTube video and the removal/installation is fairly easy. A lot of people are having this issue; maybe a recall is needed?

NHTSA ODI 11611932

Jul 5, 2021SteeringSpeed controlBrakes

Brake assist, traction control, stablitrack, and ABS lights continually coming on. When breaking while making a turn the breaks slip or give and then suddenly grab hold causing a grinding sound. Car wobbles while these lights are on causing a noticeable change in stability and control.

NHTSA ODI 11423489

Dec 28, 2019SteeringSpeed control

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SUDDENLY IT FLASHED ACROSS THE SCREEN SERVICE STABILITRAK, THEN SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, THEN REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SLOW WAY DOWN OUT OF NO WHERE FROM 70 TO LESS THAN 30, AND MADE STEERING NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE MY TWO CHILDREN I DROVE AROUND AND I'M AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE BECAUSE IF THERE'S AN ACCIDENT WITH THEM IN THE CAR BECAUSE MY CARS SLOWING UNEXPECTEDLY SOMEONE WILL BE PAYING FOR THIS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I SEE ALL OVER IT IS AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED!

NHTSA ODI 11291678

Oct 26, 2019Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

ON 1/29/16 MY CAR DIED AND TOWED TO DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD I NEED A TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAD 69000 6MONTHS AGO DASH BOARD LIGHTS LIT TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED ENGINE POWER SERVICE STABILITRACK ABS.WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE ACCELARETOR PEDAL IT WOULD MAKE A WINDING NOISE GO TO THE FLOOR AND POP BACK UP AGAIN. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD NO ACCELERATION CAR HAD DIED. L PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD A FEW MINUTES LATER STARTED UP AGAIN THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES I TOLD MY SON HE COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I FELT IT WAS UNSAFE. I CALLED THE GM THEY GAVE ME A COUPON TO HAVE THE A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON IT. IN SEPT I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SCANNED MY CAR FOR CODES I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A RIGHT FRONT HUB PART NUMBER 13582664, A RIGHT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HARNESS, 10340314, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, 84018392, AND A VENT VALVE 2085252. I CAN'T BELIEVE A CAR DEALERS WOULD LET A PERSON LEAVE NOT INFORMING THE CUSTOMER WHAT A SAFETY ISSUE THIS IS. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A DAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT AND WAS TRYING TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY AGAIN THE CAR DIED ON ME AS I WENT TO ACCELERATE NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY YARD DEAD AS A DOORNAIL. I CALLED THE DEALER AND EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TO THE DEALER AT LANNAN CHEVROLET IN WOBURN AND I SPOKE WITH THE OWNER AND THE ONLY RESPONSE I GOT WAS WHAT DO YOU WANT THERE'S A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR I HAVE BEEN DOING LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND I'M APPALLED BETWEEN A 2008 AND A 2011 THERE HAS BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET KILLED. OUT OF ALL THESE SAFETY ISSUES THERE'S NOT ONE INVESTIGATION THAT HAS BEEN OPENED IN REGARDS TO THE ISSUES. NHTSA OR GM NEEDS TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION IMMEDIATELY ON THESE CARS. THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL IS NECESSARY.VIN NUMBER..(XXXXX) REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11271223

May 20, 2019Speed controlBrakesEngine

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

Apr 2, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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

Mar 31, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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

Mar 14, 2019SteeringSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

'TAKATA RECALL' WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER, WHICH CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. ON THE DASHBOARD, SERVICE AIRBAG APPEARS AS WELL AS THE ABS LIGHT AND LOCK MODE COMES ON. THE VEHICLE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO OFF MODE UNTIL A FEW SECONDS. THEN ONCE THE VEHICLE ALLOWS THE KEY TO TURN TO OFF MODE, U HAVE TO WAIT A FEW SECONDS THEN THE CAR WILL START WITH NO PROBLEM AND THE ABS AND LOCK SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD GOES OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO GET STIFF AND THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? SHOULD I TAKE MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP? THE LAST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME WAS MARCH 14, 2019

NHTSA ODI 11186711

Feb 1, 2019Speed control

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE STRAIGHT HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR DUE TO A CAR AHEAD OF ME DRIVING UNDER SPEED LIMIT AS I PUT PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL IT SPED UP BUT FELT A SLIGHT HESITATION, I THOUGHT NOT MUCH OF IT UNTIL I SEE A 18 WHEELER COMING UP FAST , I PUT A LITTLE MORE PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR TO BY PASS THE SLOW CAR IN THE RIGHT LANE AS I DID THIS I FELT MY GAS PEDAL WOBBLE TO THE SIDE W 18 WHEELER STILL BEHIND ME I TRIED TO SPEED UP AND MAKE IT TO SAFETY BECAUSE I KNEW SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT , JUST AS I GET BACK IN THE RIGHT LANE I FELT THE PEDAL GIVE AS IF IT JUST BROKE OFF ... I KEPT DRIVING TO CATCH THE NEXT EXIT AND TO GET OFF OF THE TWO LANES AND GET MYSELF TO SAFETY BUT IT WASN'T CATCHING SPEED I PANTICKED PUSHED MY ENERGY LIGHTS ON AND KEPT PUSHING THE PEDAL FOR IT TO GO STILL NOT MUCH HELP .. SO I JUST HELD DOWN THE PEDAL ,( BY THIS TIME IT'S ALMOST ON THE FLOOR BOARD SWINGING LEFT TO RIGHT I FINALLY GET A BREAK WHEN AN EXIT CAME UP I TOOK THE EXIT PRAYED TO GOD AND LOOKED AT THE PEDAL , TO MY SHOCK IT WAS HANGING ON BY A FEW WIRES ...PLZ SEE TO IT THAT THIS GETS CHECKED THAT WAS THE MOST SCARIEST SITUATION THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING THANK GOD HE WAS WITH ME, I USUALLY NEVER COMPLAIN BUT THIS I JUST COULDN'T PASS UP IT IS SCARY AND COULD OF BEEN FATAL . PLZ TAKE A LOOK AT THIS TY

NHTSA ODI 11173539

Jan 17, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK, AND REDUCE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE LOCAL DEALER (MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM CHEVROLET, 2031 GORDON HWY, AUGUSTA, GA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TRACTION CONTROL STABILITY THE ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON AND THE ENGINE REDUCE POWER.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11170495

Jan 7, 2019Speed control

"TALARA RECALL" THE HEATER DOES NOT GO OFF UNTILL THE CAR IS CUT OFF., THE CAR TREMBLES WHEN DRIVING IT , IT DOES NOT HAVE SPEED AND THEIR IS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD.ALL THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN AFTER I LEFT THE TIRE KINGDOM SERVICE CENTERS.I BROUGHT IT BACK AND THE DEALER TELL ME THAT THEIR A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THAT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11164827

Dec 14, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

CAR GETS SERVICE STABITRACK, TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING ON DASH. REPLACING WHEEL HUBS WITH SENSORS DOES NOT FIX THIS ISSUE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL WANT TO APPLY BRAKES WHILE DRIVING OR REDUCE ENGINE SPEED. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH MANY FORUMS WITH PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME CAR AND THROUGH MULTIPLE YEARS OF MANUFACTURING. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS IT LOOKS LIKE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE BUT CHEVROLET IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT. NOT SURE AT THIS POINT IF IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSING THE PROBLEM OR IF THIS COULD BE SOMETHING WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE STABITRACK, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IF CARS ARE LOOSING POWER AND OR THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WITH OUT DRIVER CONTROL THIS CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE CAR OWNER PASSENGERS AND EVERYONE ELSE DRIVING ON THE SAME ROAD. WITH HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THIS I DO NOT SEE WHY THE CAR OWNER SHOULD NEED TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE AND MAYBE FIX THE ISSUE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR MULTIPLE SERVICE EVENTS AND THE ISSUE STILL NOT RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI 11161320

Aug 22, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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

Aug 21, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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

Jun 27, 2018Speed control

I LEFT WORK TO GO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AT THE AIRPORT (ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY) BUT HEARD DINGING AND SAW THAT I WAS GETTING THE MESSAGE TO SERVICE STABILITRAK/TRACTION CONTROL AND THAT ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME, BUT I WOULD HAVE BEEN IF IT HAD HAPPENED WHILE I WAS PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER. I DROVE STRAIGHT HOME INSTEAD AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO LEAVE WORK TO PICK UP OUR DAUGHTER. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK FOR SERVICE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM.

NHTSA ODI 11104198

Apr 25, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR THREW MESSAGE SAYING REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITRAK ALL AT ONCE. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO AND WAS LOSING SPEED WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF AT A HEAVILY TRAVELED PART OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED AND WORKED ON. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS POSSIBLY A BAD THROTTLE BODY. I HAVE HAD THIS SAME THING HAPPEN TWO OTHER TIMES WITHIN LESS THAN A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE NOTED THAT THIS TIME IT LEFT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT FROM DOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH WAS 70 THEN IT GRADUALLY DECREASED IN SPEED UNTIL IT WOULD NO LONGER RUN AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11090033

Mar 26, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE CHECK ENGINE AND STABILITRAK LIGHT HAS COME ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND ALSO CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. I AM NOW AT THE POINT OF DESPERATION AS THIS MORNING, WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF BUT PROCEEDED TO ROLL EVEN WITH ME ATTEMPTING TO PUT ON BRAKES. I HAVE READ IN SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS, INCLUDING SOMEONE CRASHING INTO A LIGHT POLE. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE, AS I NOW FEAR FOR MY LIFE WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11081186

Mar 14, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL. SPENT $300 TO GET THE GAS PEDAL SENSOR REPLACED 4 DAYS AGO AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN. CAR LOSES POWER (I WAS I-65 GOING ABOUT 60 MPH). SHIFTS HARD, TOO.

NHTSA ODI 11079432

Aug 14, 2017AirbagsSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKATA RECALL MY STABILA TRACT AND REDUCED POWER TRACTION CONTROL KEEPS COMING UP ON MY DASHBOARD IT STARTS JERKING AND NO POWER. EVERY TIME I START MY CAR THESE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11015143

Jul 31, 2017Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY, CHECK ENGINE, AND ENGINE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT DECELERATED THE VEHICLE TO 10 MPH; HOWEVER, THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THERE WAS NO ANSWER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11011612

Feb 23, 2017Speed control

2011 IMPALA 3.5L V6 SFI (LZE)OCTOBER, 2016 (60,104 MI) WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. DROPPED DOWN TO 20 MPH WHILE ENGINE SURGED. DISPLAY READ, " SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL," SERVICE STABILITRACK," "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." BY FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SPEED UP TO 40-45MPH AND DROVE 1 MILE TO GM DEALERSHIP. AT TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE SURGED WHILE STOPPED AND NEEDED VERY FIRM BRAKING TO KEEP IT FROM SURGING AHEAD. THE DEALERSHIP STAFF "GUESSED" THAT IT WOULD BE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WITHOUT DOING DIAGNOSTIC CHECK - I ASSUMED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO LDA AUTO WHERE THE OWNER/EXPERT ON VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY (PART = $254); THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY SO THE ENTIRE PIECE HAD TO BE REPLACED. A "RELEARN PROCEDURE" WAS PERFORMED. ANY NEEDED ADJUSTMENTS MADE. CODE SYSTEM RESET AND TESTED. VEHICLE WAS TEST-DRIVEN. (LABOR = $80). I DROPPED MY VEHICLE OFF AT 7:00AM, GOT A RIDE TO WORK FROM SHOP STAFF, AND RECEIVED MESSAGE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS COMPLETED SAME DAY. OWNER EVEN DEDUCTED THE $20 "SHOP SUPPLIES" FEE FROM MY BILL BECAUSE HE STATED HE DID NOT USE ANY SUPPLIES. KUDOS FOR HIS HONESTY!!! TOTAL BILL CAME TO A LITTLE LESS THAN $350. OWNER SHOWED ME EXACTLY WHAT HE DID, OFFERED TO GIVE ME THE OLD PART, LET ME CHOOSE WHICH MFG TO ORDER FROM ONLINE. CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE! TODAY IS 2/23/2017 AND MY IMPALA HAS NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS SINCE THIS REPAIR; IN FACT, IT SEEMS TO BE A BIT MORE RESPONSIVE.

NHTSA ODI 10956515

Jun 27, 2016SteeringSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKATA RECALL THIS ISSUE IS THIS: I BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2015 FIRST MY ENGEN LIGHT COMES ON, THAN MY TRACTION CONTROLE LIGHT, THAN MY CAR TELLS ME TO SERVICE TRACTION CONTROLE, ENGEN POWER IS REDUCED, SERVICE STABIL TRACK, THE ENGEN CUTS I LOOSE POWER STEERING, AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER FOR 15 MIN WAITING FOR THE CAR TO REBOOT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE GM SHOP EVERY 2500-3000 MILES. THE SHOP REPLACED ALL THE FACTORY COVERED PARTS AND NOW WILL START GUESSING. THE FIRST FIX IS REPLACING SOME WIRES THAT ANOTHER SHOP REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS SAME PROBLEM. NO ONE WILL FIX THIS DEATH TRAP. I WILL NOT DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI 10876914

May 26, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHOOK AND JERKED THEN THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE STABILITRACK, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SHOWED UP ON MY DASHBOARD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SO DID THE TRACTION LIGHT AND THEY STAYED ON. THE RPM METER IS AVERAGING BETWEEN 3 AND 4 WHEN IT USUALLY AVERAGES BETWEEN 1 AND 2. ALSO, THE SPEED HAS BEEN REDUCED.

NHTSA ODI 10871113

May 1, 2016Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

VEHICLE SLOWED ON HIGHWAY, REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING MESSAGE AND STABILITRAK MEASSAGE DISPLAYED ALSO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI 10862394

Mar 2, 2016Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

STARTED SEEING ERROR MESSAGE THIS MORNING ON START UP OF THE CAR: ENGINE POWER REDUCED SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE STABILTRAK EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENGINE POWER, TRACTION LIGHT ON, ENGINE LIGHT ON

NHTSA ODI 10839341

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Working with the data? Download all 505 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 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 verdict →