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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

54 reports
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72,000 miles · Jul 23, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I HAVE ABOUT 72,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGES COME ON AND THE ABS AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ALSO ARE ON. IT HAPPENS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND ALSO THE ABS KICK IN AND EFFECTS THE STEERING. I HAVE REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT HUB ASSEMB…

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I HAVE ABOUT 72,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGES COME ON AND THE ABS AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ALSO ARE ON. IT HAPPENS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND ALSO THE ABS KICK IN AND EFFECTS THE STEERING. I HAVE REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT HUB ASSEMBLIES AND IT HAS NOT HELPED NO CODES ARE FOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS SCANNED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. THIS WILL ALL HAPPEN IN DRIVE WAY AND ON CITY ROADS/HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11010136

39,000 miles · May 18, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

INTERMITTENTLY, THE DIC WILL SOUND AN ALARM AND DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES:SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I SOMETIMES NOTICE A DECREASE IN ENGINE POWER AND/OR GRINDING NOISES FROM THE FRONT END WHEN I MAKE TURNS. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND/OR RESIDENTIAL SPEEDS AND DOES NOT COI…

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INTERMITTENTLY, THE DIC WILL SOUND AN ALARM AND DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES:SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I SOMETIMES NOTICE A DECREASE IN ENGINE POWER AND/OR GRINDING NOISES FROM THE FRONT END WHEN I MAKE TURNS. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND/OR RESIDENTIAL SPEEDS AND DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH ANY ROUGH OR UNUSUAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSES IT UNLESS IT IS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUITING. I CAN TURN THE STABILITRAK OFF AND THE MESSAGES AND DIMINISHED MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE WILL STOP, BUT MAY RE-APPEAR WEEKS LATER. ACCORDING TO THE REPORTS I HAVE READ ON-LINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG IMPALA OWNERS WITH CARS OF SIMILAR YEARS AND MILEAGE. MY CAR HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES. IN AN EFFORT TO FIX THE ISSUE, OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTEDLY REPLACED SENSORS, WIRES, WIRE HARNESSES, HUB ASSEMBLIES, THROTTLE BODIES, AND BRAKE COMPONENTS. GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO RECALL OUR CARS IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. NONE OF THESE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS SHOULD BE FAILING SO SOON. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WHILE DRIVING IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM, AND ANY MECHANICAL ISSUE THIS WIDESPREAD AMONG CAR OWNERS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO AN OFFICIAL RECALL AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY THE AUTOMAKER AT NO CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC.

NHTSA ODI #10986407

70,000 miles · May 3, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ABS/TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT WIRE HARNESSES HAD TO BE REPLACED TI TO WIRE RUBBING IN FRAME AND GOING TO GROUND. GM HAS FOUR TSB'S ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. ABS/TRACTION CONTROL OR FEDERALLY REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURES. THIS NEED TO BE A FULL RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10983211

48,000 miles · May 1, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT WHEEL. ELECTRONIC STABALIZER FLASHES ON AND OFF AND ON AND OFF. GOING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THEN JUST DIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. HAD WHEEL HUB SENSOR REPLACED. GOOD FOR TWO MONTHS. NOW SAME PROBLEM. CAR HAS 48000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #10982954

68,000 miles · Mar 18, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CAR HAS 68,000 MILES. A FEW DAYS AGO THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH DISABLED REMOTE START. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS UNTIL I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR. I'M IN MI AND THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN VERY COLD. I JUMPED IN AND DROVE IT TO WORK (LESS THAN 3 MILES). ON THE WAY, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. NO SURPRISE, AS IT WAS A LITTLE SLIPPER…

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CAR HAS 68,000 MILES. A FEW DAYS AGO THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH DISABLED REMOTE START. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS UNTIL I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR. I'M IN MI AND THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN VERY COLD. I JUMPED IN AND DROVE IT TO WORK (LESS THAN 3 MILES). ON THE WAY, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. NO SURPRISE, AS IT WAS A LITTLE SLIPPERY. NO OTHER PROBLEMS. ON WAY HOME FROM WORK: CAR STARTS UP FINE, NO WARNING LIGHTS AT ALL AT START. ITS ABOUT 13* OUT. ALMOST HOME: ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON, THEN RIGHT BEFORE TURNING ON MY ROAD THE STABILIZER LIGHT COMES ON AND REDUCE POWER LIGHT, CAR JERKS AND LOSES POWER LIKE ITS GOING TO STALL OUT. IT MADE IT HOME. NEXT MORNING, ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS. I CALL AROUND AND DEALERSHIP SUGGESTS I BRING IT IN AND HOOK IT UP TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS FOR $98. I GO OVER TO PARTS STORE AND HAVE THEM RUN IT FIRST. ERROR CODES SHOW UP THAT "DON'T REALLY MEAN ANYTHING" AND THEY RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT. RUNS A COUPLE OF DAYS FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS, LIGHTS COMING ON ETC. TEMP DROPS AGAIN AND REPEAT THE WHOLE PROCESS ALL OVER. I BRING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT NEEDS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND NEW LINES, AFTER THEY ASKED ME IF I RAN E85 IN IT, WHICH I DO BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY SUGGESTED WHEN I BOUGHT IT! I CAN'T AFFORD THE $900 RIGHT NOW AND I PICKED IT UP. I CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO GET ANOTHER ESTIMATE AND I'M TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM (WE'RE SEEING THIS ALL THE TIME. IT'S A PROBLEM WITH RUNNING E85 IN COLD TEMPS). THAT PERSON SUGGESTS I RUN MAO44 AND PREM UNLEADED IN IT AND IT SHOULD RUN FINE FOR A WHILE. I"M ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, EVEN THOUGH "WE'RE SEEING THIS ALL THE TIME".

NHTSA ODI #10966699

61,000 miles · Mar 7, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE DASHBOARD, CENTER CONSOLE BY THE SHIFTER LEVER, AND FRONT BUCKET SEATS TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE DASHBOARD, CENTER CONSOLE BY THE SHIFTER LEVER, AND FRONT BUCKET SEATS TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED VISIBLE SMOKE IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE SENT TO INVESTIGATE AND DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10959143

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING (IN MOTION) ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS TWO OTHER TIMES, BUT NOT ON THE EXACT SAME DATE. STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKS WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT ON A BUSY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #10944476

50,000 miles · Nov 25, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

THE CAR KEEPS SHORTING OUT THE BATTERY. THE STARTER IS SLUGGISH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON.

NHTSA ODI #10927869

88,800 miles · Nov 25, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

TAKATA RECALL / AIRBAGS LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED MAKING LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHERE AIRBAGS ARE LOCATED

NHTSA ODI #10927839

63,000 miles · Aug 20, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Wheels

ABS LIGHT COMES ON STABILTRAC LIGHT COMES ON BRAKES PULSE AND GRIND ON OCCASION DON'T WANT TO STOP AT TIMES LIKE YOUR ON ICE

NHTSA ODI #10897321

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.