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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

Engine complaints

40 reports
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76,000 miles · Nov 27, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PREMIER NISSAN OF METAIRIE (504-455-5800, LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PREMIER NISSAN OF METAIRIE (504-455-5800, LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SEVEN DIFFERENT FAILURE CODES WERE LOCATED, INCLUDING THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL RELAY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE PARTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11154271

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

TAKATA RECALL MY CAR FEEL LIKE ITS LOOSING POWER WHEN I START IT UP AND THE IGNITION HOUSING NEED TO BE REPLACE

NHTSA ODI #11133514

100,000 miles · Mar 26, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11081351

84,000 miles · Nov 6, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, TRACTION STABILIZER, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEVER STALLED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, TRACTION STABILIZER, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEVER STALLED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ISSUE COULD BE DUE TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL COVERAGE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #11043639

85,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2014 WITH ~30,000 MILES, AND IT PRESENTLY HAS ~85,000 MILES. IN THAT TIME I HAVE REPLACED 4 GAS PEDALS BECAUSE THE ALERT TRIGGERED "SERVICE STABILITRAK" TELLS THE TECHNICIAN TO REPLACE THE GAS PEDAL - CLEARLY NOT THE PROBLEM. ESSENTIALLY, WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURS, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED TO WHERE TH…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2014 WITH ~30,000 MILES, AND IT PRESENTLY HAS ~85,000 MILES. IN THAT TIME I HAVE REPLACED 4 GAS PEDALS BECAUSE THE ALERT TRIGGERED "SERVICE STABILITRAK" TELLS THE TECHNICIAN TO REPLACE THE GAS PEDAL - CLEARLY NOT THE PROBLEM. ESSENTIALLY, WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURS, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED TO WHERE THE CAR CAN BARELY GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS DURING HIGHWAY RUSH HOUR (WHEN FOLKS DRIVE MORE AGGRESSIVELY) OR PULLING ONTO A ROADWAY FROM A DEAD STOP. IF I POWER THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART IT, THE ERROR WILL USUALLY CLEAR, BUT OFTEN REOCCURS. SINCE IT TENDS TO HAPPEN ON HOT, SUNNY DAYS (TEMP >75F) WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING, IT FEELS LIKE A WIRING PROBLEM. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OVER A SIMILAR ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT GM HAS A PROBLEM THAT IT IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS WITH A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN.

NHTSA ODI #11032079

86,800 miles · Sep 18, 2017
EngineService BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD MAKE A TURN OR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL POP SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING IN THE FRONT MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (HENDRICK CHEVROLET, 100 AUTO MALL DRIVE, CARY, N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD MAKE A TURN OR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL POP SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING IN THE FRONT MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (HENDRICK CHEVROLET, 100 AUTO MALL DRIVE, CARY, NC, 27511, 919-439-5132) ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER SINCE THEY WERE OUT OF STATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (DAN VADEN CHEVROLET SAVANNAH, 9393 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA, 31406) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK, BRAKES/ ROTORS, AND TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE STEERING RACK, BRAKES/ROTORS, TIE ROD, AND ALIGNMENT WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE NOW SHAKES INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-3209374202. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,800.

NHTSA ODI #11024087

36,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE LEFT TURNS AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, IT WOULD SOMETIMES STALL AND DECELERATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WERE ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 01/…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE LEFT TURNS AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, IT WOULD SOMETIMES STALL AND DECELERATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WERE ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT *TR

NHTSA ODI #10914021

20,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Air BagsEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED, THE ENGINE LEAKED TRANSMISSION OIL AND FUEL, AND THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED, THE ENGINE LEAKED TRANSMISSION OIL AND FUEL, AND THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10899134

93,700 miles · May 17, 2016
EngineFire

I WAS STANDING IN TRAFFIC AND SMOKE START COMING INSIDE THE CAR FROM ENGINE AND THE ENGINE START ON FIRE THE CAR BURN FROM THE ENGINE OUT ??? AND I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS AND RECALLS ON THIS CAR MODEL ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAR MODEL AND YEAR HAVE FIRE HAZARD PROBLEMS PLEASE REVIEW AND HELP ME TO FOUND …

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I WAS STANDING IN TRAFFIC AND SMOKE START COMING INSIDE THE CAR FROM ENGINE AND THE ENGINE START ON FIRE THE CAR BURN FROM THE ENGINE OUT ??? AND I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS AND RECALLS ON THIS CAR MODEL ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAR MODEL AND YEAR HAVE FIRE HAZARD PROBLEMS PLEASE REVIEW AND HELP ME TO FOUND ANY ANSWER THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10865454

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

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.