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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
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10626823

88,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626467

4,150 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Tires

I BOUGHT A 2012 IMPALA .2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM DEALER HAD TIRE GO DOWN FROM BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL. A MONTH LATER SAME THING. HAD BLOW OUT WITH 3 COUPLE DAYS AGO. WENT AND BOUGHT NEW SET AND FOUND OUT 4TH TIRE HAD BUBBLE.NOW I HATE I BOUGHT ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2. HOW CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK K FROM GOODYEAR OR NEW…

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I BOUGHT A 2012 IMPALA .2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM DEALER HAD TIRE GO DOWN FROM BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL. A MONTH LATER SAME THING. HAD BLOW OUT WITH 3 COUPLE DAYS AGO. WENT AND BOUGHT NEW SET AND FOUND OUT 4TH TIRE HAD BUBBLE.NOW I HATE I BOUGHT ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2. HOW CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK K FROM GOODYEAR OR NEW TIRES

NHTSA ODI #10625740

11,500 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AFTER HITTING A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF A SECOND TIME AGAIN AFTER HITTING A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE BOTH AFFECTED. THE CAR RESTARTED. THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE CONDITION. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AFTER I REMOVED ALL THE KE…

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THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AFTER HITTING A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF A SECOND TIME AGAIN AFTER HITTING A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE BOTH AFFECTED. THE CAR RESTARTED. THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE CONDITION. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AFTER I REMOVED ALL THE KEYS FROM THE KEY-RING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621617

21,927 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Power TrainSteering

REPLACED FRONT WHEEL DRIVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND RIGHT SIDE TRANSAXLE SEAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621022

40,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULTY TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS LOOSE AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULTY TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS LOOSE AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 12/3/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10618223

41,039 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

MAY 2013 I PURCHASED A 2012 IMPALA FULLY CERTIFIED BY THE CHEVY DEALER. ON 9/25/2013 I WAS STOPPED ON I-80 DUE TO TRAFFIC. A WOMAN TRAVELING 53 MPH SLAMMED INTO ME CAUSING ME TO TAKE OUT THE NEXT 3 CARS. I FILED AN INVESTIGATION WITH GM TO REVIEW THE VEHICLE INFORMATION (WHICH IS HOW I KNOW HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING). THE AIRBA…

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MAY 2013 I PURCHASED A 2012 IMPALA FULLY CERTIFIED BY THE CHEVY DEALER. ON 9/25/2013 I WAS STOPPED ON I-80 DUE TO TRAFFIC. A WOMAN TRAVELING 53 MPH SLAMMED INTO ME CAUSING ME TO TAKE OUT THE NEXT 3 CARS. I FILED AN INVESTIGATION WITH GM TO REVIEW THE VEHICLE INFORMATION (WHICH IS HOW I KNOW HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING). THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE SEAT BELT HAD RESTRAINED ME ONLY AFTER I VIOLENTLY BOUNCED OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THIS WAS REPORTED TO GM IT WAS STATED THAT THERE ARE THREE LINES OF DEFENSE IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT #1 THE BODY OF YOUR VEHICLE #2 YOUR SEAT BELT #3 AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. 2/3 LINES OF DEFENSE HAD FAILED ME. GM HAD NO CONCLUSION AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND I RECEIVED THE REPORTS FROM THE ENGINEERS. I WAS TRAVELING FAST ENOUGH INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME FOR THE AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED, AND THE SEAT BELT SHOULD HAVE RESTRAINED ME. NEARLY A YEAR LATER, I AM GREATFUL THAT ONE LINE OF DEFENSE HAD PREVENTED FURTHER INJURIES, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I WILL FOREVER FEEL THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF. WITH RECENT NEWS INVESTIGATIONS INTO GM'S FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, CLEARLY THEY CAN LOOK BEYOND JUST THE OLDER MODELS OF IMPALAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617649

30,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MATERIAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE METAL INTERIOR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MATERIAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE METAL INTERIOR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ UPDATED 01/13/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616358

44,073 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER FAILED AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CALIPER ON THE REAR DRIVERS BRAKE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER FAILED AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CALIPER ON THE REAR DRIVERS BRAKE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,073. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ UPDATED 09/23/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10609304

49,341 miles · Jul 3, 2014
Steering

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,341.

NHTSA ODI #10608057

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.