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8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,970
Average Mileage:
94,100 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (11 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. rebuild transmission (1 reports)
2011 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems

transmission problem

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2011 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments

problem #16

Nov 192019

Impala LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,206 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought the Chevy Impala 2011 from Gan Chevy Olds in Belleville with 125,000 km on it. The car looked and felt great - I paid $9400 plus tax, which came to over $11,000. I paid cash and loved the car then at 150,000 km. I went to back up, and with no warning the tranny seized up right there. It drove perfectly the day before and now my mechanic says 5000 to fix it. I have never driven this car hard - it was my pride and joy, and now its 400 dollars of scrap metal. The car is mint shape not even stone chip on it, and I am really pissed off if Chevy knew this was a problem, they should have done something. No wonder they are not making Impalas anymore - screw Chevy.

- Micheal C., amherstview, ON, Canada

problem #15

Jul 182020

Impala 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

I just got my vehicle 95,000 miles. Had transmission checked and serviced. Never shifted or jerk but the reduced engine speed comes on out of nowhere, I went to the store, heard a loud noise and my transmission is gone.

- Michel J., Oklahoma City, US

problem #14

Sep 092019

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,681 miles

The car began first by stuttering then jerking then moving at a reduced pace. I drove it to a repair shop. A day later, I picked the car up from the repair shop without having it fixed after receiving a quote of over $3,000 to have the transmission replaced. I was told this is a common problem with these cars so a used replacement (or any replacement for that matter) would be difficult to locate as they were currently in high demand. Did I mention that I picked the car up in the late evening after work, dinner and kids to bed (around 11:30pm) expecting to stutter, jerk and move at a reduced pace home? Well the car went about 1/4 mile before it only moved forward at a snails pace then had to rest for several minutes before then moving forward at a snails pace for another 1/4 mile if that.... until I finally made it to a gas station (by this time it was 12:30AM) I was then told by the gas attendant that if I left the car there for any amount of time that it would be towed....(JERK). So I hobbled along less then the 1/4 mile until I made my way to a School.

Long story short..... It took me three days to get the car back home stopping along the way and parking it at three different places (School, Church, A jerk-free gas station). I am not sure how many owners this car has had but I have personally only owned it for a very short time. so I refused to pay a towing company $150 after paying several thousand dollars for the car less than three months prior.

NIGHTMARE CAR, NIGHTMARE SITUATION, NIGHTMARE PERIOD!

- bobbydalet, Hudsonville, US

problem #13

Apr 062016

Impala LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car only had 30,000 thousand miles. Doesn't get abused or driven much. So one day we decided to take it for a run to the store. We came to a light and the transmission completely went out. I turned off the car and turned back on and it started to go for a few seconds then again didn't go anymore. I was pressing the gas but all it would do is rev up. Managed to get home and do some research and found out the transmission on these cars from 2006-2011 are trash. Many people with the same car have been having the same problems. Took it to a shop and the guy said the transmission had to be rebuilt. Quoted me $1600! Not bad but the car only had 30,000!!! It shouldn't go out. Its fixed and we haven't had any problems so far but the car doesn't feel as peppy as before. As of now it has 50,000.

- Francisco D., Dallas, TX, US

problem #12

Jul 222019

Impala LT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,000 miles

2011 Impala has a issue with it's transmission. I had the transmission rebuild last July 2018 for $2900. I was given a 2yr or 24,000 miles warranty on it...Well it's now July 2019, and 32,000 miles later, and the Transmission has failed again! GM has a design flaw in this vehicle's Transmission that I know they know about, but have determined it not worth recalling due to their bottom line. Somebody is going to get killed, before they do something. I was lucky to be going slow the first time the Transmission failed. When it happened, the front wheel locked, and the shifter would not move out of drive. And the car was still running (with no dash warning lights on)...

- Kenny W., Bowie, MD, US

problem #11

Jun 192019

Impala LT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,500 miles

In 2013, I purchased a 2011 Chevy Impala with approximately 28,000 miles on it. At approximately 85,000 miles, the transmission locked up out of the blue. No warnings whatsoever! Just me stuck on the side of the road. I called the local Chevrolet dealer and they told me that the car was still covered under the powertrain warranty. GREAT!!! I was thrilled. Fast forward to this past Wednesday. My daughter, who is a college student, now drives the Impala and loves it. She calls to tell me that the car will not accelerate when she has to stop. I take it to the local mechanic and he tells me that the transmission is slipping. Again? Keep in mind that this is not even 60,000 miles on the new transmission. Of course, it is out of warranty. So, $3800 later the car will be repaired and my daughter will be back on the road. This is absolutely ridiculous! I told her that as soon as she graduated college ( in 3 year or less) that she is to trade this car in and get something else. I am sure by this time the tranny will need to be replaced again. I am agitated, broke and over GM products!!! I recently purchased an Audi and couldn't be more pleased!!!

- Robin G., Tampa, FL, US

problem #10

Nov 172018

Impala LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Final drive shattered as I was pulling out of a parking lot. Transmission must now be completely replaced. I'm very fortunate that this didn't occur while I was driving on the highway or on a busy street. Unfortunately a new transmission is going to cost me over half the price of the car.

My vehicle suffering from catastrophic transmission failure at a meager 76,000 miles is absolutely absurd! Vehicle was maintained properly according to the manufacturers specifications. My mechanic and others have told me that this is a very common issue. In fact, as the tow truck pulled into my mechanic's shop, there was another '05 Impala that has suffered the same failure around the same mileage!

This is a known issue with these vehicles. Chevrolet needs to stand by their product and do what's right for their consumers' safety. This will absolutely be the last vehicle I purchase from any GM brand.

- Mitch M., Mcminnville, OR, US

problem #9

Mar 072017

Impala LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,325 miles

Bought my 2011 Chevrolet Impala in 2012 it had about 18,000 miles on it it drove great until March 7 2017 when it would not move out of its tracks the front right wheel locked up you pressed down on gas pedal and it would not move had it towed to dealership where I bought the car they told me it was the transmission it had come out. It is going to cost me over $3,000 to get it fixed. I think there should have been A recall on these 2011 Chevrolet Impalas because from what I have read this is an ongoing problem. I only have 58,325 miles on this car and this should not be happening. GM should be responsible for this not me. This was my first experience with Chevrolet and it will be my last one. These vehicles are very expensive and GM should be more aware of what they are putting on the market for the buyers of these vehicles. GM NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES. This seems to be A big problem with this vehicle. I don't even know if this will fix it or not it may come back out again after awhile!!!

- Brenda E., folsom, PA, US

problem #8

Jan 042017

Impala LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,513 miles

I purchase a 2011 Impala in 2013 with 35k miles on. It rode good until I reached 65k miles on. It was still under warranty so the dealership replaced for free. Now at 123k miles, the transmission appears to be done again. These transmission seem to breakdown out of nowhere without any warning. I still own about 7k 0n my loan and can't afford to pay 4K for a new transmission again, only for it to last 60k miles. Reached out to customer service via twitter but the ultimately didn't help. I say that everybody that has GM issues ban together, start a FBI page and twitter feed and attempt to disrupt their sales until they take our issues serious. Best place to hit someone is in their pockets.

- sparrownj, East Brunswick, NJ, US

problem #7

Jan 162017

(reported on)

Impala LT 3.6L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 98,000 miles

I bought this car, used, in early June 2015 with 87,000 miles on it. It drove well and I was diligent about routine maintenance. I really liked this car, except for the rear headrests blocking part of my rear window.

Then in Jan. of 2016, without ANY warning on the dash, the transmission just died. I wanted to put in a new one but without a warranty it would cost $4000.00. I live on a fixed income and frankly, it might as well have cost 4 MILLION. I settled for a used tranny installed at the local dealership. They gave me only a 90 day warranty but I was sure my troubles were over. Then THAT transmission died on Dec. 3, 2016!

I am furious and frustrated beyond words! Again, just like before, I can only afford another used transmission. Who would have thought the transmission would die TWICE in one year!!

Anyway, I am going to a different mechanic this time that I trust. But I'm STILL wheel-less until he can locate a decent tranny that doesn't have less than 100,000 miles on it. I live in a rural area with NO public transportation and having no car here is an epic misery!

Of course, without an extended warranty ( which I couldn't afford anyway) NOBODY is liable! If I could get rid of this money pit, I would LEAP at the chance but I still have four years left on the loan.

I have to wonder, how long until this next transmission fails??

- Sandra P., Mattawamkeag, ME, US

problem #6

Oct 272016

Impala LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brought a used 2011 Chevy Impala in 2012. Transmission has failed, cannot afford to fix car and the vehicle is financed. Still owe 12,000. GM financial is not helping. Wondering if there was any recalls.

- LaFrances B., Stafford, VA, US

problem #5

Feb 192015

Impala Fleet 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

my son and grandson,went buy a game and he came out and back the car up then when he put it in drive it wouldn't move. I came and called the wrecker to,take it to the chevy dearlership,They let it stayed outside It snowed for three days. All this time I was without a car to get around, When called me they had a loaner for me, They called and said they were going to put a new transmisson in the car and that it was under warranty. Hell, I already knew that the car was under warranty. Every thing was great until JUly when I had to put it back in the shop.This it seems to me when you put a new trans in a car you change and put new parts on or in the trans. I thught that a new wring harness would come with the new trans. Any way it cost me 1260.99 to get it back. That hurt, because my famiily was hurting also. Then to top that my son came home to tell me that reverse was slipping. HE said it took five grown men to push it untill he could he could put in drive. When he got home I went outside to see what I could do. I back out of the drive,because on flat ground it would go into reverse. I kept backing up I reached the very little hill and then it started to slip real bad. I called the dealer and Chevrolet about the problem and you know the rest of the story.He would work with the dealer to get me a discount,Ibeen there and done that a whooping 30.00 discount.end of this story. I forgot to say that iI'm a disable VIET NAM VET.

- robert.scott215, Branson, MO, US

problem #4

Nov 252015

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,432 miles

I had my transmission replaced under warranty at 84000 miles at Bob Brown Chevrolet in Ankeny, IA

IT WENT OUT already at 117432 miles and IT IS NOT COVERED. They want me to pay $3,300 for a brand new one AGAIN!

I am sure that it was defective to go out again in this amount of miles. I do not have the money to buy another transmission and I still owe $9,000 on the car.

I have got the run around and all that GM will do is discount me $300 dollars after getting the run around for days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob Brown had me tow it where the car stopped four hours away from where I live, to Norfolk GMC and told me they would fix it, now though.....nothing is covered and I have a tow bill for 100 bucks!

- Joni H., Des Moines, IA, US

problem #3

Oct 092015

Impala LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

I BOUGHT A 2011 CHEVY IMPALA IN 2013. I HAVE LESS THAN 65,000 ON THIS CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT. GM ONLY WANTS TO COVER 60% OF THE COST FOR THE FAILURE. SUPPOSEDLY I AM 3 MONTHS OUT OF THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. AS A LONG STANDING BUYER OF GM VEHICLES YOU WILL NEVER GET MY BUSINESS AGAIN. ITS A WONDER THAT YOU ARE STILL BUSINESS OH THAT IS RIGHT THE TAXPAYERS (MYSELF INCLUDED) GAVE YOU A BAILOUT. THANKS GM, WHAT A WAY TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. AND I WILL BLAST THIS DAILY OVER EVERY MESSAGE BOARD I CAN FIND.

- Grace C., Crawford, AR, US

problem #2

Jan 312015

Impala LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,500 miles

Purchased the car in 09/2012 with 17,000 miles. It's been a fantastic car - until last Saturday. Sitting at a stoplight, and when the light turned green I hit the gas pedal and the engine revved but nothing else happened. The transmission had disengaged!! Tried shifting into neutral and back into drive - nothing. Tried shifting into park and back into drive - nothing. Shut the car off, turned on my hazards, and waved traffic around me (slightly embarrassed at this point). Let the car sit for a minute, re-started, and it acted fine. Drove a few feet (less than ten) when I noticed the engine was making a whirring noise I had not heard before. Took my foot off the gas and coasted a few more feet, hit the gas again, and the transmission disengaged AGAIN! (now I'm mildly annoyed).

So I coasted to a stop, hazards still on, and shut the car off. Let it sit again, started, and it immediately made the same noise and would not engage when the shifter was moved to drive. (now I'm really annoyed)

Called AAA. After an hour and fifteen minutes, the tow truck arrived and took the car to our local transmission shop (2nd generation shop, been in business over 50 years). They tell me the transmission is TOAST! (Now I am ticked off) There are only 76,500+ miles on the car, it has always run like a dream, and all of a sudden it's TOAST?!?!? Allow me to correct my earlier comment: I'm beyond ticked off...

- J B., Carey, OH, US

problem #1

Jun 082013

Impala

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,700 miles

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.

Will find out tomorrow what the total cost will be. 43,700 miles!?!?!

End of rant.

Update from Jun 26, 2013: 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

Update from Aug 29, 2017: The replaced transmission failed today after 3 years and 2 months. 64,000 miles later. Really?

- K. W., Seattle, WA, US

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