Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly stability control and engine Extended coverage
348 serious complaints of 505, the most about stability control (132) and engine (125); per car on the road, 1.3× this model's usual year. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“First time I was slowing down to make left turn when engine light came on then message to check stabiliy trac and then traction control car lost power while making turn and jerked .I got the car back home by driving at low speed had to shut off and start several times before it would clear after it cleared drove fine for about ten miles at low speed as…”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the stability control, Jul 2014
“The contact owns a 2011 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the engine would shake when attempting to start. The engine power reduce, service traction control and service stabilitrak warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Aug 2015
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Impala; 2008, 2011-2012 MY… (GCUS-9-939, Sep 2015)
- Extended coverage On some various model year vehicles, the throttle-position sensor may cause the engine to run rough, cause the malfunction-indicator lamp and/or an engine reduced power message to illuminate, and reduce the engine's power. 14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal;… (GCUS-9-1009, Oct 2015)
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
505 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 21–23 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl; 3.9L 6-cyl · Drive: FWD
2011 Impala trims
| LS (1LS) | LT (1LT) | LTZ | Taxi |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Chevrolet reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Chevrolet aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 15 | Unknown or other (7) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 28 | Electrical system (9) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 59 | Unknown or other (16) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 116 | Unknown or other (31) | Yes |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–25 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 0 | 890 | Engine (304) | Yes |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–25 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 3 | 300 | Electrical system (96) | No |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 21–28 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 12 | 636 | Electrical system (221) | No |
| 2013 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 272 | Electronic stability control (esc) (108) | No |
| 2012 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 258 | Electrical system (58) | No |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl 3.9L 6-cyl | FWD | 21–23 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 505 | Electronic stability control (esc) (132) | No |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl 3.9L 6-cyl | FWD | 21–22 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 441 | Electrical system (132) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Impala 2016–2020 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 59 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 116 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 111 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Impala Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 9 | 779 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Impala Limited 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 779 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 300 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Impala Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 288 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Impala Limited 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 288 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 12 | 636 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Impala Limited 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 12 | 619 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 272 |
| 2012 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 258 |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 505 |
| 2010 | Chevrolet Impala 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 441 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Impala | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22 |
| 2019 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22–25 |
| 2018 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
22–25 |
| 2017 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22–25 |
| 2016 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21–25 |
| 2016 | Impala Bi-Fuel (CNG) | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2016 | Impala Limited | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 22 |
| 2015 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21–25 |
| 2015 | Impala Bi-Fuel (CNG) | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2015 | Impala Limited | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 22 |
| 2014 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21–24 |
| 2014 | Impala Limited | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 22 |
| 2014 | Impala eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2013 | Impala | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22 |
| 2012 | Impala | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22 |
| 2011 | Impala | Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L |
21–23 |
| 2010 | Impala | Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L, FFV |
21–22 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.