2011 Chevrolet Impala Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 31, 2024 · 95 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, 19% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 78,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine power” (19% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Engine power: mentioned in 18 of 95 complaints (19%)
  • Traction control: mentioned in 14 of 95 complaints (15%)
  • Service stability: mentioned in 7 of 95 complaints (7%)
  • Included electrical: mentioned in 5 of 95 complaints (5%)

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 59 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles2 · 3%
10k–25k miles1 · 2%
25k–50k miles10 · 17%
50k–75k miles14 · 24%
75k–100k miles13 · 22%
100k–150k miles14 · 24%
150k+ miles5 · 8%

How serious are the reports?

Of 95 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 3 an injury.

Chevrolet Impala electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2004, with 681 complaints
1995: 619951996: 112000: 18720002001: 2252002: 30520022003: 2642004: 68120046812005: 3312006: 12420062007: 1282008: 22120082009: 2242010: 13220102011: 952012: 5820122013: 522014: 22120142015: 962016: 3020162017: 152018: 1120182019: 92020: 32020

n = 3,429 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Impala320%—
2019 Impala932%35,700
2018 Impala1119%51,300
2017 Impala1513%42,000
2016 Impala3027%45,691
2015 Impala9632%59,523
2014 Impala22135%66,000
2013 Impala5219%60,000
2012 Impala5822%55,000
2011 Impala9519%78,000
2010 Impala13230%78,000
2009 Impala22427%82,559
2008 Impala22127%85,000
2007 Impala12820%84,200
2006 Impala12424%85,000
2005 Impala33154%80,000
2004 Impala68163%68,750
2003 Impala26438%98,740
2002 Impala30538%82,162
2001 Impala22530%100,000
2000 Impala18723%98,000
1996 Impala1113%92,500
1995 Impala614%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 36 complaints
2013: 4201342014: 362014362015: 202015202016: 7201672017: 2201722018: 6201862019: 6201962020: 4202042021: 3202132022: 2202222023: 4202342024: 120241

n = 95 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Electrical system:ignitionJun 23, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 vehicles

Problem: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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

Received Jan 5, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 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…

Received Dec 25, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 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…

Received Nov 12, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11554752
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala (2014–2020) in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2011 Chevrolet Impalas have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 95 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala (19% of the 505 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala electrical system?

Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 78,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?

The most frequent phrase is “engine power”, in 18 of 95 complaints, followed by “traction control” (14).

Other 2011 Chevrolet Impala problems

See all 2011 Chevrolet Impala problems or electrical system problems across all Impala years.