← New search

2012 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

204 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports5 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

258 reports
37,000 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Steering

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO BEGIN TO MOVE. HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE ONLY MOVED ABOUT 5 FEET AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. FOUND THE RIGHT TIE-ROD WAS BROKEN. CAR HAS 37000 MILES ON IT.CAR WAS TOWED TO CHEV DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID THE STEERING GEAR ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED?? MY COST …

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO BEGIN TO MOVE. HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE ONLY MOVED ABOUT 5 FEET AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. FOUND THE RIGHT TIE-ROD WAS BROKEN. CAR HAS 37000 MILES ON IT.CAR WAS TOWED TO CHEV DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID THE STEERING GEAR ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED?? MY COST WAS $1546.19.FOUND A RECALL #12V377000 ON THIS VERY PROBLEM, BUT THE RECALL WAS FOR POLICE CARS ONLY. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME AND I FEEL MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS TIE ROD SHOULD NEVER HAVE BROKEN AND I FEEL GM SHOULD ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPAIR. 2012 CHEV IMPALA.

NHTSA ODI #10893867

118,535 miles · Jul 27, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO MY 2012 CHEVY IMPALA STARTED CAUSING ISSUES WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED WITH THE REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT. TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY PUT THE COMPUTER ON IT & WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CODES WERE RELATED TOO. I THEN SEARCHED GOOGLE FOR ANY ISSUES COMPARING TO MINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINS ABOUT…

Read full complaint

ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO MY 2012 CHEVY IMPALA STARTED CAUSING ISSUES WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED WITH THE REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT. TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY PUT THE COMPUTER ON IT & WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CODES WERE RELATED TOO. I THEN SEARCHED GOOGLE FOR ANY ISSUES COMPARING TO MINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME THING. FOLLOWING THE REPAIRS THAT OTHERS HAVE PERFORMED, I TRIED THE SAME THING WITH NO RESULTS. AT THE MOMENT I AM LOOKING AT REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WITH THE HOPES THAT IT WILL BE FIXED. THE SAFETY CONCERNS IS THAT MY VEHICLE WILL BE FINE FOR A FEW MINUTES BUT THEN THE REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS AND MY CAR WILL CONTINUE AT VERY LITTLE SPEEDS AND THE SHIFTING FROM GEAR TO GEAR WILL GO UP TO 5 AMPS. MY CAR WILL THEN START BUCKING LIKE A HORSE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC UNTIL IT STABILIZES AND I'M ABLE TO RUN AT GOOD SPEEDS. MY CAR HAS NOT YET STALLED BUT WITH IT REDUCING SPEEDS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, IT CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS AS A FAST MOVING CAR CAN COME UP ME AND HIT ME. I HOPE THIS GETS ATTENTION FROM GM AS I HAVE READ THAT SEVERAL OTHERS THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS MY SECOND MESSAGE FOR THE SAME ISSUES AND I DO NOT RECALL HAVING RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM MY 1ST COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE WHY GM HAS NOT MADE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND GIVE THEIR CUSTOMER'S A BETTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10889029

66,453 miles · Jul 15, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension

EVERY TIME I TURN WARNING LIGHTS FOR MY STABLIZING SYSTEM AND ABS THEN THE BRAKES STARTS TO LOCK UP SOMETIMES WITH IT ALSO TRACTION CONTROL ALSO TURN ON AND OFF THIS IS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DEALERS NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM THIS IS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND DRIVE ON THE STREETS OR ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10885143

78,823 miles · Jun 20, 2016
Service BrakesTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, ESPECIALLY A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SEEMED LIKE IT WAS SLIDING. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, ESPECIALLY A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SEEMED LIKE IT WAS SLIDING. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,823.

NHTSA ODI #10875292

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)WheelsCrash

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AFTER APPLYING BRAKES MADE AWFUL NOISE AND I REAR ENDED A CAR. IT WAS CLEAR, DRY AND SUNNY AT THE TIME AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. I BELIEVE THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR HAS NOW STARTED COMING ON SINCE THE CAR ACCIDENT. THE DEALER THAT THE BODY SHOP TOOK THE CAR TO …

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AFTER APPLYING BRAKES MADE AWFUL NOISE AND I REAR ENDED A CAR. IT WAS CLEAR, DRY AND SUNNY AT THE TIME AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. I BELIEVE THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR HAS NOW STARTED COMING ON SINCE THE CAR ACCIDENT. THE DEALER THAT THE BODY SHOP TOOK THE CAR TO AFTER IT FIXED THE FRONT BUMPER SAID IT'S NOT THE TIRE SENSOR THAT'S BAD.

NHTSA ODI #10873680

93,700 miles · May 17, 2016
EngineFire

I WAS STANDING IN TRAFFIC AND SMOKE START COMING INSIDE THE CAR FROM ENGINE AND THE ENGINE START ON FIRE THE CAR BURN FROM THE ENGINE OUT ??? AND I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS AND RECALLS ON THIS CAR MODEL ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAR MODEL AND YEAR HAVE FIRE HAZARD PROBLEMS PLEASE REVIEW AND HELP ME TO FOUND …

Read full complaint

I WAS STANDING IN TRAFFIC AND SMOKE START COMING INSIDE THE CAR FROM ENGINE AND THE ENGINE START ON FIRE THE CAR BURN FROM THE ENGINE OUT ??? AND I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS AND RECALLS ON THIS CAR MODEL ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAR MODEL AND YEAR HAVE FIRE HAZARD PROBLEMS PLEASE REVIEW AND HELP ME TO FOUND ANY ANSWER THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10865454

50,000 miles · May 15, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AT INTERSECTION NEAR REAR DOOR. MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL (NOT WORTH FIXING), AND I WAS TAKEN TO ER HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE DUE TO SEVER NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. RELEASED WITH FRACTURE OF NECK AND FRACTURED RIGHT RIBS. NOT ONE AIR BAG IN FRONT OR BACK RELEASED IN COLLISION. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS W…

Read full complaint

I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AT INTERSECTION NEAR REAR DOOR. MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL (NOT WORTH FIXING), AND I WAS TAKEN TO ER HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE DUE TO SEVER NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. RELEASED WITH FRACTURE OF NECK AND FRACTURED RIGHT RIBS. NOT ONE AIR BAG IN FRONT OR BACK RELEASED IN COLLISION. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG!

NHTSA ODI #10864986

50,800 miles · Apr 27, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE NOTICED THAT I HADN'T FILLED UP IN A WHILE YET THE FUEL GAUGE STILL READ "COMPLETELY FULL". FILLED UP AT GAS STATION TOOK 3/4 OF A TANK. GAUGE HAS BEEN ALTERNATING BETWEEN FULL AND COMPLETELY EMPTY FOR A MONTH. COULD HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS AT SPEED ON INTERSTATE CAUSING ACCIDENT INTERNET RESEARCH HA…

Read full complaint

DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE NOTICED THAT I HADN'T FILLED UP IN A WHILE YET THE FUEL GAUGE STILL READ "COMPLETELY FULL". FILLED UP AT GAS STATION TOOK 3/4 OF A TANK. GAUGE HAS BEEN ALTERNATING BETWEEN FULL AND COMPLETELY EMPTY FOR A MONTH. COULD HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS AT SPEED ON INTERSTATE CAUSING ACCIDENT INTERNET RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED A FEW INCIDENTS LIKE THAT. CHEVY SUPPORT IS WILLING TO WAIVE THE 50 DOLLAR DIAGNOSTIC FEE BUT WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS. LOCAL GARAGE QUOTED 250 LABOR 160 PART TO REPLACE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR IN THE TANK, BUT FROM ONLINE RESEARCH PAST YEARS HAVE SEEN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURES IN FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND ENGINE TEMP. CAR HAS 50800 MILES ON IT IS FOUR YEARS OLD AND MAY REQUIRE REPAIRS 400-2K DEPENDING ON WHICH PART IS FAILURE. PREVIOUS GM PRODUCTS HAVE HAD CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR SIMILAR ISSUES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE GAUGE FAILS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TOOK 25 DAYS TO COME ON WITH THE ERROR CODE IN THE 460'S THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD. CURRENTLY DRIVING VEHICLE WITH BROKEN FUEL GAUGE AND SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS TALKING WITH SUPPORT TO TRY TO GET THEM TO COVER REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10861782

26,000 miles · Apr 26, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FROM A LOW SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL, AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FROM A LOW SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL, AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE SENSORS WERE FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHAT SPECIFIC PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10861547

40,000 miles · Apr 23, 2016
Power Train

GRINDING NOISE FROM FRONT AND MOMENTARY LOSS OF ACCELERATION UPON ACCELERATION FROM STOP. MOST PREVALENT ON LEFT TURN FROM STOP BUT PROGRESSIVELY GETTING MORE FREQUENT ON STRAIGHT OR RIGHT TURNS. DASH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES MOMENTARILY. ORIGINAL DEALER INSPECTION FOUND NO ISSUE. ON STAR DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED NOTHI…

Read full complaint

GRINDING NOISE FROM FRONT AND MOMENTARY LOSS OF ACCELERATION UPON ACCELERATION FROM STOP. MOST PREVALENT ON LEFT TURN FROM STOP BUT PROGRESSIVELY GETTING MORE FREQUENT ON STRAIGHT OR RIGHT TURNS. DASH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES MOMENTARILY. ORIGINAL DEALER INSPECTION FOUND NO ISSUE. ON STAR DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED NOTHING. ABOVE 5MPH NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL. DEALER WILL REINSPECT NEXT WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #10861072

Official recalls

3

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

12V377000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Aug 3, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

11V398000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Aug 5, 2011

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED SO THAT IT CAN COME IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AND/OR CONTACT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WITH THE ENGINE ON, HEAT FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY MELT THE POWER STEERING HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THAT THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE IS ROUTED CORRECTLY AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.