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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

58 reports
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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

43,910 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, "SERVICE STABILIZER TRAC" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, "SERVICE STABILIZER TRAC" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUSES TO THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,910.

NHTSA ODI #10808238

55,000 miles · Nov 3, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

WHEN I START DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET EACH MORNING, I MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CAR MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, & ABS LIGHT ALL COME ON. THEY ALSO GO ON & OFF WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYMBOL WILL COME ON AND I WILL BE STUCK…

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WHEN I START DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET EACH MORNING, I MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CAR MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, & ABS LIGHT ALL COME ON. THEY ALSO GO ON & OFF WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYMBOL WILL COME ON AND I WILL BE STUCK TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND A FEW TIMES DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY FASHION. I HAVE GONE ON CHEVY IMPALA FORUMS LOOKING FOR OTHER DRIVERS WHO MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ARE THERE ARE A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. IT STILL HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI #10788159

36,000 miles · Oct 15, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10782430

20,624 miles · Jun 22, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH, THE CODES WERE RESET, AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH, THE CODES WERE RESET, AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,624. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10726641

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2015
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART 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 ISS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART 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 #10680671

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). 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 #10667701

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2014
Electrical System

2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED WHAT GM SUGGESTED TO HAVE NO MORE THAN ONE KEY ON THE RING. SHE STATED THAT WAS NOT A FIX. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10654354

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR SEVERAL …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10660803

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILU…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10659021

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.