Stability control light comes on which puts the engine in restricted power ABS and brake light comes on front driver side brake continuously holds on when trying to accelerate
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
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.
Power Train complaints
27 reportsThe car has been in the shop twice within 6 months having it. It was towed twice, once for transmission issues and having no power to it at all then it back in the shop for warning lights. I also had it in the shop for about an hour to have a new tire put on it after loosing air. It had to be towed back home for all the brakes b…
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The car has been in the shop twice within 6 months having it. It was towed twice, once for transmission issues and having no power to it at all then it back in the shop for warning lights. I also had it in the shop for about an hour to have a new tire put on it after loosing air. It had to be towed back home for all the brakes being shot and I'm now having an issue with the rear left caliper having a slow leak, the rear left sway bar is also broken in half. The whole entire car has issues and the leasing company and dealership refuse to do anything to help along with not helping me get the payment down. After one thing gets fixed, another thing happens. The suspension is getting bad and has been like that since my fiance and i got the car. The dealership said everything was new and fixed. We had 2 kids in the car and their safety was put at risk as well as others that got in the car. The car is getting to be a death trap for me. the warning lights that were coming on were Service Stabilitrak, Service Brake Assist, Service Trac Control and Service Brake System. These were coming on after I had the car in the shop for the transmission issue. Those lights are now not coming on. My fiance and I were told by the dealership that the brakes were new, nothing mechanically wrong with the car and drives smoothly, this was said before we took the car for a test drive. We were there to buy a car but after we signed the papers, we were told it was a lease.
I HAVE HAD MAJOR FAILURE OF ALL OF THE MAIN FUNCTION COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION. MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE REPLACED, THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS, LL 4 WHEELBEARING ASSEMBLY, SWAY BAR LINKS, CONTROL ARMS, CV AXLES. I HAVE TO REPLACE BRAND NEW TIRES EVERY 6,000 10,000 MILES BECAUSE THE MECHANICAL FAILURES ARE WEARING O…
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I HAVE HAD MAJOR FAILURE OF ALL OF THE MAIN FUNCTION COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION. MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE REPLACED, THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS, LL 4 WHEELBEARING ASSEMBLY, SWAY BAR LINKS, CONTROL ARMS, CV AXLES. I HAVE TO REPLACE BRAND NEW TIRES EVERY 6,000 10,000 MILES BECAUSE THE MECHANICAL FAILURES ARE WEARING ON THE RUBBER SO RAPIDLY AND AL WAS AND UNEVENLY. I HAVE NEVER NOT HAD A N ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE PUT MORE MONEY IN REPAIRS THEN THE PAYMENT, WHICH ARE MORE THAN WHAT I OWE STILL ON THE REMAINDER (FINANCED). ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION IS FALILING RAPIDLY. I HAVE REPORTED PRIOR ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS DATE. I CANNOT JUSTIFY REPAIRING, MAINTENANCE OR EMERGENCY, A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN THE VALUE OF THE REPAIR COST. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED AND PUNISHED FOR SUCH CRIMES AGAINST CONSUMERS.
WHEN ACCELERATING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON BY ITSELF CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP & CAUSES HESITATION. THE GROUND IS NOT WET AT ALL ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS ON CAUSING THE SAME REACTION ON DRY PAVEMENT. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR HESITATES & JERKS/JOLTS THEN THE TRACTIO…
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WHEN ACCELERATING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON BY ITSELF CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP & CAUSES HESITATION. THE GROUND IS NOT WET AT ALL ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS ON CAUSING THE SAME REACTION ON DRY PAVEMENT. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR HESITATES & JERKS/JOLTS THEN THE TRACTION LIGHT KICKS ON. THERE ARE NO CODES ON THE DASHBOARD & NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
USED CAR PURCHASED WITH APPROX. 72,000 MILES. MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAME APPARENT AT 73,000 MILES APPROX. GRINDING CLUNKING SQUEALING NOISES WERE 1ST WARNING SIGNS. ALL OF THESE NOISES OCCUR ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, INTERMITTENTLY, BUT EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE AC/HEATER WENT OUT BECAUSE THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED.…
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USED CAR PURCHASED WITH APPROX. 72,000 MILES. MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAME APPARENT AT 73,000 MILES APPROX. GRINDING CLUNKING SQUEALING NOISES WERE 1ST WARNING SIGNS. ALL OF THESE NOISES OCCUR ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, INTERMITTENTLY, BUT EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE AC/HEATER WENT OUT BECAUSE THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. HANDLING WAS HORRIBLE SO REPLACED MOST OF SUSPENSION PARTS BUT ALIGNMENT REPEATEDLY GOES OUT AND MECHANICS ARE IDIOTS SO THEY JUST SAY THEY ARE STUMPED AND SEND ME AWAY. THAT PROMPTED ME TO RESEARCH ON MY OWN. I LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE HUB BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD SEEING AS HOW I JUST SPENT A FEW GRAND ON OTHER REPAIRS.THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING WHICH MAKES IT JERK WHEN ACCELERATING, DRIVE VERY SLUGGISH, AND MAKES LOUD NOISES AT IDLE AND IN MOTION. THERE IS MORE PROBLEMS THAT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO LIST. I CONTINUE TO RESEARCH ALL OF THIS VEHICLES COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS TIME FOR A REAL RECALL! GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MAKING SUCH A NIGHTMARE OF A CAR. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP FOR $10,000 ONE YEAR AGO AND STILL OWE $8,600. JUST HAD THE CAR APPRAISED AT $3,000, SO I AM UPSIDE DOWN $5,500. I CANNOT TRADE IT IN, CANNOT AFFORD PERPECTUALLY REPAIRING AND WOULD NOT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO END. IT IS PARKED NOW BECAUSE I CANNOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE, SO I CANNOT GET TO WORK AND MAY HAVE TO HAVE IT REPOSSESED. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!
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 …
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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.
WHEN USING E85 FUEL IN MY FLEX FUEL VEHICLE THE CHECK STABILITY CONTROL/REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING IS ACTIVATED. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER AND GM THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP ME. THERE IS A GM TECHNICAL BULLETIN (PIP5385C) ON THIS PROBLEM.
TAKATA RECALL WHEN ACCELERATING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON BY ITSELF CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP & CAUSES HESITATION. THE GROUND IS NOT WET AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS & HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET REAR ENDED. EVEN WHEN TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS ON CAUSING THE SAME REACTION ON DRY PAVEME…
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TAKATA RECALL WHEN ACCELERATING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON BY ITSELF CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP & CAUSES HESITATION. THE GROUND IS NOT WET AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS & HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET REAR ENDED. EVEN WHEN TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS ON CAUSING THE SAME REACTION ON DRY PAVEMENT. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR HESITATES & JERKS/JOLTS THEN THE TRACTION LIGHT KICKS ON. THERE ARE NO CODES ON THE DASHBOARD & NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY AREN'T ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IT RISKING MY LIFE, MY CHILDREN'S LIVES & THE LIFES OF OTHERS.AND HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT WITH NO SOLUTIONS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE REB WAVE PLATE WAS FRACTURED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RE-BUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE REB WAVE PLATE WAS FRACTURED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RE-BUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND THE SPECIALIST STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PART WERE JOINT TOGETHER WITH THE FORD AND CHEVROLET, THE SPECIALIST ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FORD PART WAS GOOD BUT THE CHEVROLET PART FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,973.
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".
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.
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