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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

Engine complaints

40 reports
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40,000 miles · Nov 2, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND STALLED. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWAR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND STALLED. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10787695

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

70,517 miles · Jun 22, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL ON KALAMAZOOST IN LANSING MICH. MY POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I PULLED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE CAR INTO A HEDGE OF BUSHED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT STOPPED BEFORE I HIT THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10726488

25,000 miles · Apr 17, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

GM SERVICE BULLETIN ID: 3650687. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706236

18,120 miles · Jan 11, 2015
EnginePower TrainSteering

ACCELERATOR RESPONSE TIME TAKES TOO LONG TO RE-ACCELERATE . AFTER LETTING OFF GAS THEN RE-APPLYING PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, RESPONSE TIME SHOULD BE 800 MILI SECONDS FOR AN ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR BUT , IT IS WAY LONGER AND MAKES CAR BACKFIRE AT TIMES IF I HOLD PEDAL AFTER THE LAG IN RESPONSE . THIS CAUSES CAR TO LUNGE AND COULD CAU…

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ACCELERATOR RESPONSE TIME TAKES TOO LONG TO RE-ACCELERATE . AFTER LETTING OFF GAS THEN RE-APPLYING PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, RESPONSE TIME SHOULD BE 800 MILI SECONDS FOR AN ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR BUT , IT IS WAY LONGER AND MAKES CAR BACKFIRE AT TIMES IF I HOLD PEDAL AFTER THE LAG IN RESPONSE . THIS CAUSES CAR TO LUNGE AND COULD CAUSE ME TO GET REAR ENDED OR DAMAGE ENGINE. SECOND, RUBBING GRINDING NOISE (NOT LOUD) FROM RIGHT FRONT AND MORE NOTICEABLE WHILE TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH AROUND A LEFT BEND IN ROAD OR BY MOVING STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT ABOUT AN INCH WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN ROAD. DEALER CLAIMED NO PROBLEM FOUND ON EITHER ISSUE , ALTHOUGH THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A STRUT BEARING ON RIGHT FRONT. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A PREVIOUS ISSUE JUDGING BY THE WORN TIRE BEFORE I PURCHASED CAR. I FIGURED IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FIXED BECAUSE CAR DIDN'T PULL TO ONE SIDE AND DROVE STRAIGHT , BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE AND NOISE IS SLOWLY GETTING MORE NOTICEABLE UNLESS I'M JUST TUNED INTO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671647

20,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664331

32,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A CLICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #10628571

30,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM).THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TEC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM).THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10627541

22,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I AM EXTREMELY UNSATISFIED WITH MY AUTO. I DO NOT WANT A AUTO THAT I CAN NOT TRUST. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT WORTH WHAT I PAID FOR IT. I AM IN AN UPSIDE DOWN LOAN AND CAN NOT GET RID OF IT. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP ME? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627246

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

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.