Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
460–25K
5825–50K
3850–75K
3175–100K
24100–150K
7150K+
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, ESPECIALLY A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SEEMED LIKE IT WAS SLIDING. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, ESPECIALLY A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SEEMED LIKE IT WAS SLIDING. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO 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 78,823.
NHTSA ODI #10875292
26,000 miles · Apr 26, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FROM A LOW SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL, AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FROM A LOW SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL, AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE SENSORS WERE FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHAT SPECIFIC PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10861547
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…
Read full complaint
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
42,000 miles · Nov 16, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK BRAKES WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED RANDOMLY. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EACH TIME THE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK BRAKES WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED RANDOMLY. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EACH TIME THE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ
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.
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.
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.
2012 Chevrolet Impala Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year