What 505 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Impala

Grinding from turning. Numerous Radiators, Transmission problems over and over. Jerking not pulling. Stalling in the road.Control Arm needed again. Brakes and Rotors grinding.

NHTSA ODI 11517964

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 stopped at a stop sign, turned right onto the highway and the front wheels locked. The car would not move in any gear, even in neutral. A tow truck had to place front wheels on skids and drag onto the bed. The transmission repair shop never saw anything like it, all the gears on the trans axel were stripped smooth and metal fragments all over the inside of the transmission. Very dangerous situation if there would have been oncoming traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11446686

AFTER ABOUT 30000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID(S) ARE GOING BAD INTERMITTENTLY. IT'S GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR FOR A PART THAT COSTS AROUND 25 DOLLARS OR SO. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A CONTINUING PROBLEM ON THE 4T65E TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN YOU ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND GO TO ACCELERATE YOU GET NO RESPONSE EXCEPT FOR HIGHER RPM'S AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY ENGAGES AND YOU GET A VIOLENT SURGE FORWARD WITH A LOUD BANG. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL TO INSTALL NEW AND IMPROVED SOLENOIDS.

NHTSA ODI 11406306

THE BRAKES ARE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPING WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A PRESSURE VALVE CODE THAT WILL NOT GIVE A DEFINITE READING.THE AIRBAGS LIGHT STAYS ON ALONG WITH THE ABS AND STABILITY TRAK LIGHT STAYING ON.

NHTSA ODI 11373140

WORST CAR GM IS HORRIBLE

NHTSA ODI 11348486

VEHICLE RANDOMLY GIVES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE STABILITRACK. AT THIS POINT ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO POINT THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHILE PASSING (SAFELY) IT CAME ON AND I WAS STUCK IN ONCOMING LANE BECAUSE I DIDN?T HAVE THE POWER TO COMPLETE PASS. HAPPENS EVERY WEEK SEVERAL TIMES. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING. EVEN IN PARK IT WILL OCCUR. COMPLETELY RANDOM WHETHER DRIVING, SITTING, OR IN PARK RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331387

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN MOTION 2/12/20

NHTSA ODI 11310666

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. SINCE 2015, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND A YELLOW WARNING INDICATOR APPEARED. ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FERMAN CHEVROLET OF TAMPA (9751 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL, 813-623-2411) AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. FOR THE OTHER TWO FAILURES, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11245914

AFTER BEING STOPPED AND THEN ACCELERATING, THE TRANSMISSION IS STICKING AND THEN WILL KICK IN VERY HARD, LIKE YOU ARE BEING HIT IN THE REAR-END. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME, HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE OFF AND ON, AND IT IS NOW STARTING TO DO THIS MORE OFTEN. I HAVE SEEN THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM MANY OTHER IMPALA OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI 11240831

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLANETARY GEAR FAILED. THE MECHANIC REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON JULY 12, 2019. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,908.

NHTSA ODI 11233346

HOT AND COLD THE TRANSAXLE IS SLIPPING AND THEN GRABBING ON ACCERATION WITH HARD SHIFTING.

NHTSA ODI 11220304

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REEDMAN TOLL CHEVROLET OF SPRINGFIELD (840 BALTIMORE PIKE, SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064, 484-472-6290) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TE GAS PEDAL IS NO LONGER WORKING.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11160510

AFTER TURNING AND BACKING OUT OF A STORE PARKING LOT, I PUT MY CAR BACK INTO DRIVE. ABOUT FIVE OR TEN FEET LATER MY FINAL DRIVE SHATTERED AND MY VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY IMMOBILE. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR A CROWDED STREET. FOR MY TRANSMISSION TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT A MEAGER 76,000 MILES IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD. TRANSMISSION WAS CARED FOR ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11152565

SERVICE STABILITRAK SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ABS

NHTSA ODI 11121158

ANYTIME I GO TO ACCELERATE AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT, OR ETC THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN JERKS FORWARD. THE CAR HESITATES AND LOSES POWER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY CITY ROAD THE CAR TURNED OFF. I HAD TO TRY AND STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BARELY TURN.

NHTSA ODI 11120834

MY TRANSMISSION BANGS INTO GEAR FROM STARTING IN DRIVE FROM A STOP . NOT ALL THE TIME BUT STILL HAPPENS .

NHTSA ODI 11090012

4T65E TRANSMISSION. I STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND GO TAKE OFF AND MY CAR WON'T MOVE FORWARD. I COULD GET ALMOST HOME IN SECOND GEAR AND THEN NOTHING AT ALL WOULD WORK TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD. I HAD REVERSE AND STILL DO BUT I CANNOT MOVE FORWARD IN ANY GEAR. CODE P1811. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS OPEN THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS JUST LYING THERE ABOUT AN INCH LONG. HE SAID IT WAS A MISSING APPLY LUG THAT BROKE OFF ONE OF THE APPLY BANDS AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR HAVE A COMPLETE REBUILD. I JUST THINK A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 7 YEARS. AND I READ THIS IS COMMON FOR THAT TRANSMISSION BUT IT HAPPENS MORE IN 2000-2002 MODELS.....BUT I GUESS IT HAPPENS WITH THE NEWER ONES ALSO.

NHTSA ODI 11089547

WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP THE CAR DOESNT WANT TO GO THEN ALL OF S SUDDEN IT TAKES OFF JERKING MY HEAD BACKWARDS.A TRANSMISSION COMPANY DIAGNOSED IT AS A SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS TO GO BACK AS FAR AS 2004. IM ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOT WANTING TO LURCH INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. A SIMPLE REPLACEMENT OF SAID SEAL WITH A LARGER ONE WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AT 95000 MILES

NHTSA ODI 11084432

JUNE 8 2013: WHEN DRIVING, NOTICED ON THE FREEWAY, IT WASN'T SMOOTH AT TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION'S SHIFTING WAS PRETTY ROUGH. NO INDICATION OF ANY ISSUES POPPED UP ON DASHBOARD. WHEN ARRIVING AT FREEWAY RAMP, IT FELT LIKE I WAS HYDROPLANING, BUT ON GRAVEL. THEN, NOTICED WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUT FELT LIKE I WAS IN NEUTRAL. WAS ABLE TO PULL IN AND TAKE A LOOK... TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FINE... NOTHING POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD. NOTHING! THE INDICATORS FOR TIRES, OIL, ETC WERE SHOWING INFO, BUT NOTHING TO INDICATE IT HAD DIED!! DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP - HAD JUST BOUGHT IT IN JULY 2012. 11 MONTHS LATER, THIS?!?!? THEY ARE SAYING THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN IT THIS BAD, EVEN WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER OLLLLLLDER CARS, THIS WAS THE WORST. THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED IN THE GM PEOPLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.THEIR AUTO TRANS CONCERN: CUSTOMER STATES TOWED IN TRANSMISSION WILL NOT MOVE AT TIME OF WRITE UP REVERSE AND FORWARD WORKING INPUT AND REACTION CARRIER EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE METAL IN TORQUE CONVERTER., VALVE BODY, BURNT CLUTCHES CALL TAC CASE #71-1194752825 PRIVE COMP ADVISED TO REPLACE TRANS DUE TO COST WITH SRTA. ORD SERIAL #619ASBWJR6J PRELACW TIH SRTA FLUSH CODE 693FFEE5 THEY REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY... TOTAL COST WAS $4400 AUG. 29, 2017. THE REPLACED TRANSMISSION FAILED. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY, JUST GOT OFF, WHILE IN MOTION, THERE WAS SOME REALLY ROUGH VIBRATION. COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 25 MPH. NO LIGHT INDICATIONS ON THE DASHBOARD. IT TELLS ME IF FLAT TIRE, BLINKER IS ON, THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE, ETC ETC, BUT NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S RELATED, BUT WE SMELLED VINEGAR EVERY TIME WE STARTED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS STRAIGHT. WE NOTICED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING, IT'S OKAY, BUT WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS ON THE FREEWAY, IT "SHUDDERS."

NHTSA ODI 11020489

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD REVERSED THE VEHICLE AND THEN SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO CONTACTED HIS LOCAL DEALER ( PLATINUM CHEVROLET: 3001 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA, 95407) WHERE HE INQUIRED TO PROVIDE HIM WITH A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE UNDER CASE NUMBER: 83215496968, AND STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,500.

NHTSA ODI 11020035

THE TRANSMISSION WILL FREQUENTLY FAIL TO ENGAGE WHEN STARTING FROM A FULL OR PARTIAL STOP. TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL TO ENGAGE. THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE CAR HAD 38000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS OUR THIRD IMPALA THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST IMPALA THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM, THE CHEVROLET DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR THAT CAR. WE ALSO HAVE A 2008 IMPALA THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THREE IMPALAS, THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN ALL THREE. THE PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. WE HAVE DELAYED HAVING THE PART REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS QUITE COSTLY AND WE HAD HOPED THAT CHEVROLET WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THE PART ON THEIR OWN.

NHTSA ODI 11012658

CHECK DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT. DEALER INSPECTION RESULTED IN "BAD SENSOR". WANTED $400. TO REPLACE. CURRENT ISSUE: AWAY FROM HOME. CAR STARTED BUT ENGINE VERY ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, MESSAGE "LOSS OF POWER", CHECK STABIL-TRACK". CAR WOULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE AFTER REVVING UP TO 3K RPM. MAX SPEED ATTAINABLE 55 MPH. MADE IT HOME. NOW UNABLE TO START CAR. (NEW BATTERY) OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAD TO REPLACE/CLEAN THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR?? SOME WERE AT HIGHER SPEED WHEN THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. NO START IS ANOTHER ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI 11005839

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE HOME FROM A TRIP AND STOPPED AT A STORE. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55,500 MILES ON IT. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS A REPAIR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY WITH THIS FEW MILES. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS ON THE VEHICLE AND TOOK POSSESSION FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/2/11. I DO HAVE THE REPAIR BILLS. WORK WAS PERFORMED ON 6/9/17.

NHTSA ODI 10994956