NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
49 reportsClear category filter17,000 miles · Jan 15, 2017
Steering
WHEN I BACK OUT OF A PARKING STALL OR DRIVEWAY AND STILL HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE, WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE WHEEL TO START TO DRIVE DOWN THE STREET, IT IS LIKE I LOST POWER STEERING AND IT TAKES EVERYTHING IN MY POWER WITH MY HANDS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. …
Read full complaint
WHEN I BACK OUT OF A PARKING STALL OR DRIVEWAY AND STILL HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE, WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE WHEEL TO START TO DRIVE DOWN THE STREET, IT IS LIKE I LOST POWER STEERING AND IT TAKES EVERYTHING IN MY POWER WITH MY HANDS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. ALSO WHEN I AM STARTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING STALL WHEN THE CAR IS BARELY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO LOCK UP WITH NO POWER STEERING AND I HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING THE WHEEL. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I CAN'T GET THE WHEEL TURNED AND I'M UNABLE TO PARK IN THE STALL. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS AND WHEN I GO TO TURN, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER IT IS TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE POWER STEERING IS VERY STIFF AND SOMETIMES WILL STIFFEN UP TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE A HARD TIME TURNING THE WHEEL. I TOOK INTO THE DEALER IN 12/2016 AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT WHILE THEY DID AN OIL CHANGE TO MY CAR AND THEY SAID ALL FLUIDS WERE FINE AND NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A WRECK WHEN I TRY TO TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN STIFFENS UP SO TIGHT THAT IT TAKES ALL MY STRENGTH AND POWER TO TURN THE WHEEL. IT ACTS LIKE THE WHEEL ISN'T GOING TO TURN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE STEERING. MY 2012 IMPALA ONLY HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THIS STEERING ISSUE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THE 2012 IMPALAS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THERE IS DEFINITELY A POWER STEERING OR OTHER ISSUE THAT IS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO STIFFIN UP SO TIGHT THAT YOU CAN BARELY TURN IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10945418
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
57,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
NHTSA ODI #10928514
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
37,000 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Steering
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO BEGIN TO MOVE. HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE ONLY MOVED ABOUT 5 FEET AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. FOUND THE RIGHT TIE-ROD WAS BROKEN. CAR HAS 37000 MILES ON IT.CAR WAS TOWED TO CHEV DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID THE STEERING GEAR ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED?? MY COST …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO BEGIN TO MOVE. HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE ONLY MOVED ABOUT 5 FEET AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. FOUND THE RIGHT TIE-ROD WAS BROKEN. CAR HAS 37000 MILES ON IT.CAR WAS TOWED TO CHEV DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAID THE STEERING GEAR ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED?? MY COST WAS $1546.19.FOUND A RECALL #12V377000 ON THIS VERY PROBLEM, BUT THE RECALL WAS FOR POLICE CARS ONLY. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME AND I FEEL MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS TIE ROD SHOULD NEVER HAVE BROKEN AND I FEEL GM SHOULD ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPAIR. 2012 CHEV IMPALA.
NHTSA ODI #10893867
66,453 miles · Jul 15, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension
EVERY TIME I TURN WARNING LIGHTS FOR MY STABLIZING SYSTEM AND ABS THEN THE BRAKES STARTS TO LOCK UP SOMETIMES WITH IT ALSO TRACTION CONTROL ALSO TURN ON AND OFF THIS IS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DEALERS NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM THIS IS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND DRIVE ON THE STREETS OR ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #10885143
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10849971
35,000 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteeringCrash
WHEN DRIVING AFTER EVERY ATTEMPT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN,MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, & ABS LIGHT ALL POP ON. SINCE THEN IT HAS WENT ON AND OFF FOR MANY DAYS UNTIL IT JUST FINALLY STAYED ON PERMANENTLY. ALSO MESSAGE: "STABILITRAK SERVICE AND TRACTION CONTROL , BRAKE ASSIST " FINALLY TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING AFTER EVERY ATTEMPT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN,MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, & ABS LIGHT ALL POP ON. SINCE THEN IT HAS WENT ON AND OFF FOR MANY DAYS UNTIL IT JUST FINALLY STAYED ON PERMANENTLY. ALSO MESSAGE: "STABILITRAK SERVICE AND TRACTION CONTROL , BRAKE ASSIST " FINALLY TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN CULVER CITY,CA IN MAY 2013 & WAS TOLD THEY TESTED THE FRONT ABS CONNECTOR AND TRACTION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODE ERRORS. RESET THE SENSORS ANYWAYS AND ADJUSTED THE TIMING. AS SOON AS I DROVE OUT THE DEALER,SAME ERROR MESSAGES AND LIGHTS RETURNED. TOOK CAR AGAIN TO SAME DEALER &WASTOLD "I MUST HAVE DROVE THROUGH WATER OR OILY SURFACE AND LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AFTER I DROVE 20 OR SO MILES".LIGHTS & ERRORS DID NOT GO AWAY.RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER AGAIN,THIS TIME AGAIN FOUND NO ERRORS BUT THEY PROCEED TO REPLACE THE TIRE SENSORS AND RESET THE SENSOR ID. LIGHTS&CODES WENT OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN RETURNED WITH A GRINDING NOISE WHEN LEFT TURN, LOOSE ENGINE POWER &STEERING POWER, LIGHT &CODES CONTINUE TO STAY ON,& STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN LEFT TURN. I HAVE BEEN AT A LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN WHEN THE CAR WILL STALL & NOT LET ME TAKE OFF.BRAKES APPEAR TO LOCK UP.JUST MISSED A FEW CAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALL. HAS LEFT ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT HEAD ON & WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND GOT STUCK ON THE TURN. CANNOT ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY FASHION IS A HUGE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE DEALER OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE HAD TIRE AND BRAKE EXPERT SHOPS LOOK AT THE PROBLEM A FEW TIMES. ALSO NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. FINALLY DECIDED TO JUST TRY &IGNORE IT BUT AFTER SO MANY CLOSE CALLS OF ACCIDENTS& ENDAGERING MY FAMILIES LIFE IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ME TO JUST DEAL WITH IT ANYMORE OR TO CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY TO TRY & FIND PROBLEM.FORUMS PROVE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10749861
38,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10746819
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
Official recalls
3Jun 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.
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.
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 ↗
Illustration