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What is your question?
My 2011 Impala stopped shifting into overdrive. It operates fine in gears 1, 2, 3, and R. What are possible causes? I drove home using 3rd gear with no issues. RPMs were a little higher, but it was a smooth ride. Is continuing to drive in 3rd gear a problem? I primarily drive local within an 8 mile radius only a couple times a week. I've read other forums saying it is actually a much smoother ride driving in 3rd and with no issues. If there is already possible damage to the transmission, would driving it in 3rd further cause damage?
How long has your 2011 Chevrolet Impala had this problem?
Started today
1 Reply
Hi, I'm one of the auto experts on RepairPal's Car Genius team! Great question, and glad to hear the car is still drivable! On your 2011 Chevy Impala a loss of overdrive while all other gears work normally often points to a faulty overdrive solenoid, a worn overdrive clutch pack, or a transmission control module issue. Low or degraded transmission fluid is also worth checking as a first step, as fluid condition can directly affect which gears engage properly. The good news is that this type of selective gear loss often means the damage is isolated rather than widespread throughout the transmission. As for driving in 3rd gear for local short trips, while it won't cause immediate catastrophic damage, the higher RPMs do put more strain on the engine and will increase fuel consumption over time. We wouldn't recommend it as a long term solution, and the sooner the root cause is diagnosed the better chance you have of avoiding a more expensive repair down the road. A qualified shop can pull any stored transmission codes and assess the fluid condition to help determine the most likely cause. If you need any further advice or would like help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area or even getting an appointment booked, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554 or check out https://repairpal.com/certified