Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
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 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. …
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 [redacted] my contact information is [redacted]. …
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
G.m. Replaced my ingintion switch on a national recall. I was hit in left rear qtr. Panel. I lost all power and could not stop or steer the car. I careened across highway and ran into a house. No air bags deployed either. G.m. Sent a team to recover computer info and has now told me there is no problem.
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.
Got a message on my dash a few months ago about "service traction control" while driving. Traction control light lit up also. Parked car and turned car off then on...message gone. Took it into service...showed no error codes. Today (5/2/16), it did it again with the traction control light and the check engine light simultaneously lighting up. "service stabilitrak", service traction control", and "engine power is recuded" are the messages I got today along with the check engine light and the traction control light being on. I had just gotten off the highway so I wasn't going fast when this happened. I was close to work so I parked it at work. Turned the car off then on again and the messages were gone and traction control light was off but check engine light stayed on. …
My service stabilitrack, reduce engine power light came on while I was exiting the freeway. When this happened I had almost no brake pedal. I couldn't stop at the light at the end of the exit, luckily no other cars were around. If I had been on a main street at 45mpr and had to stop for a red light I would have never stopped on time. I'm very lucky no cars were at the light waiting or coming in a different direction with the green light. I see this problem all over edmunds and on you tube and as far as I can tell it's 100% Chevrolet. How can this not be a recall. There are dozens and dozens of the same complaint on edmunds and you tube. It seems like every you tube video has a different fix for the problem....from pulling out the fuse to the stabilitrack to over a thousand dollars in repairs. Does there have to be a death to get the attention of Chevrolet. …
Engine complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 134 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, 27% of the model year's 505 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Impala engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Impala engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.