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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
85,500 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT TURNED OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SDM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT TURNED OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SDM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,500. UPDATED 06/21/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10860741

20,000 miles · Apr 9, 2016
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD A 42 MONTH WARRANTY. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE TIRES (ALL 4) WERE DRY ROTTING. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS FOGGING TO THE POINT IT WAS DIMMING THE HEAD LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED THIS AND THE NAME OF THE CHEVR…

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WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD A 42 MONTH WARRANTY. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE TIRES (ALL 4) WERE DRY ROTTING. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS FOGGING TO THE POINT IT WAS DIMMING THE HEAD LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED THIS AND THE NAME OF THE CHEVROLET DEALER WAS TOM BANNEN AND NOW SERRA CHEVROLET. I COMPLAINED TO GENERAL MOTORS IN MICHIGAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THIS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TO BE SEEN BY THE SERVICE MANAGER WHICH I DID AND WAS TURNED DOWN AGAIN FOR REPAIRS EVEN WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES THE JERK AT SERRA CHEVROLET SAID THAT SERRA CHEVROLET WOULD NOT HONOR ANY WARRANTY THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER, TOM BANNEN. I THINK THAT SERRA CHEVROLET IN MADISON, TN. HAS AND WILL RIP OFF OTHER BUYERS WHO HAD THE WARRANTIES FROM TOM BANNEN. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT AND TELL ALL MY RELATIVES AND MANY FRIENDS NOT TO BUY FROM THIS RIP OFF ARTIST.

NHTSA ODI #10854583

44,000 miles · Apr 7, 2016
Service BrakesWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SWITCH TO TRACTION CONTROL MODE. IN ADDITION, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SWITCH TO TRACTION CONTROL MODE. IN ADDITION, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS WIRING HARNESS AND THE WHEEL HUB WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10854132

35,000 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SERVICE STABILITRAC, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HUB ASSEMBLY AND SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT WIRE HARNESS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SERVICE STABILITRAC, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HUB ASSEMBLY AND SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT WIRE HARNESS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10853511

32,000 miles · Apr 2, 2016
Power Train

WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE TURNING RIGHT AND THEN TURNING LEFT, IT SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING METAL AND THE CAR STARTS JERKING UNTIL THE WHEELS ARE TURNED STRAIGHT AND THEN IT'S OK AGAIN IT IS REALLY LOUD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT IT WOULDN'T DO IT FOR THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10853092

100,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
EngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10850781

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10849971

58,168 miles · Feb 23, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL INJECTORS 1, 3, AND 5 MALFUNCTIONED AND FUEL TRAVELED STRAIGHT THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR EXHAUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT INJECTOR PORTS 1, 3, AND 5 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL INJECTORS 1, 3, AND 5 MALFUNCTIONED AND FUEL TRAVELED STRAIGHT THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR EXHAUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT INJECTOR PORTS 1, 3, AND 5 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,168.

NHTSA ODI #10837671

34,000 miles · Feb 4, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10824236

42,000 miles · Jan 1, 2016
Unknown Or Other

WHEN A WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN IN THE VEHICLE THERE IS A HORRIBLE VIBRATION INSIDE OF THE CAR THAT ACTUALLY CAUSES A HEADACHE. EVEN IF WE ROLL DOWN TWO IT DOESN'T HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10817308

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.