IllustrationMY CAR'S STABILITRACK, BARAKE ASSIST, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON EVERYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE CAR HESITATES WHEN GIVING GAS MAKING IT FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN GETTING INTO TRAFFIC
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
460–25K
5825–50K
3850–75K
3175–100K
24100–150K
7150K+
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
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
54 reportsFIRST ITEM,DRIVING STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON TWICE HOW TO GO TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.SECOND ITEM, PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT ISSUE, REPLACE BULB THREE TIMES CAN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTION OR WIRING ISSUE. TO REPLACE BULB, REQUIRES REMOVAL OF FRONT END BUMPER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE PROJECT. PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE NIG…
Read full complaint
FIRST ITEM,DRIVING STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON TWICE HOW TO GO TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.SECOND ITEM, PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT ISSUE, REPLACE BULB THREE TIMES CAN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTION OR WIRING ISSUE. TO REPLACE BULB, REQUIRES REMOVAL OF FRONT END BUMPER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE PROJECT. PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE NIGHT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.
SERVICE STABILITRAK CAME ON WHEN MERGING ON TO THE FREEWAY, (WHICH INVOLVED A TURN TO GET ON THE ON-RAMP,) SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI. I HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED BECAUSE OF STABILITRAK LIGHT. HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? MY FRIEND AND I ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSORS OR WHATEVER I…
Read full complaint
SERVICE STABILITRAK CAME ON WHEN MERGING ON TO THE FREEWAY, (WHICH INVOLVED A TURN TO GET ON THE ON-RAMP,) SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI. I HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED BECAUSE OF STABILITRAK LIGHT. HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? MY FRIEND AND I ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSORS OR WHATEVER IT IS WITH THESE CRAP BEARINGS. I WAS TOLD HOW THE BEARINGS ARE MADE WITH THE SENSORS BEING PLACED IN A COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS SPOT BY AUTO PARTS STORES. SAW PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THIS VEHICLE. SAME ISSUE. HOW HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE WITH THIS?
SERVICE STABILITRAK - REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED.
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AND ACCELERATING LOOSE THE TRACTION CONTROL (STABILIZER TRACTION CONTROL DISPLAY) AND CAN NOT ACCELERATE MOMENTARILY. MOST OF THE IMES ITS HAPPENING WHEN TURNING LEFT (SLOW SPEED) OR ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED POSITION (RED LIGHT)
TAKATA RECALL MY STABILITY TRACK SENSOR IS CONSTENTLY COMING ON OVERPOWERING MY DRIVING AND MESSING MY DRIVING UP. IT HAPPENS WITH NO CONDITIONS WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I ALSO HAD THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE REPLACED MANY THINGS THAT I WAS TOLD CAN B…
Read full complaint
TAKATA RECALL MY STABILITY TRACK SENSOR IS CONSTENTLY COMING ON OVERPOWERING MY DRIVING AND MESSING MY DRIVING UP. IT HAPPENS WITH NO CONDITIONS WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I ALSO HAD THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE REPLACED MANY THINGS THAT I WAS TOLD CAN BE CAUSING THIS. THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE.
TAKATA RECALL MY CAR FEEL LIKE ITS LOOSING POWER WHEN I START IT UP AND THE IGNITION HOUSING NEED TO BE REPLACE
CAR MAKES GRINDING NOISE AND STOPS AFTER MOVING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN AT A FULL STOP
GRINDING SOUND WHEN I TURN LEFT. SERVICE STABILITY TRACK POPS UP THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO TURN TRACTION CONTROL OFF.
MY VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM LOSS OF POWER WHEN MAKING A SQUARE TURN AKA A VERY SHARP TURN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH LEFT TURNS. THE PROBLEM IS WEAR OF A CABLE NEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WHICH CONTROLS THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND/OR THE TRACTION CONTROL / STABILITRAK FEATURE. THE WEARING IS SUCH THAT WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, THE WORN …
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM LOSS OF POWER WHEN MAKING A SQUARE TURN AKA A VERY SHARP TURN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH LEFT TURNS. THE PROBLEM IS WEAR OF A CABLE NEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WHICH CONTROLS THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND/OR THE TRACTION CONTROL / STABILITRAK FEATURE. THE WEARING IS SUCH THAT WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, THE WORN CABLE SUFFERS INTERMITTENT CONNECTIVITY LOSS. THAT LOSS OF CONNECTIVITY TRIGGERS TRACTION CONTROL TO BRIEFLY SEVER POWER TO THE FRONT TIRES. I HAVE FOUND THAT MANUALLY TURNING OFF TRACTION CONTROL PREVENTS THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING. I COULD REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM RELIABLY. IT NEARLY ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN MOVING FROM A PARKED POSITION INTO THE ROADWAY, AND WHEN LEAVING A PARKING LOT AFTER REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM MAKING LEFT TURNS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC - I HAVE LOST POWER ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT THANKFULLY THE OTHERS DRIVERS WERE AWARE ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE COLLISION. BECAUSE OF THIS I ALWAYS TURNED OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL FOR ALL DRIVING TRIPS. I FOUND ONLINE SIMILAR REPORTS OF OTHER 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA OWNERS.
Official recalls
314V355000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.