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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

15 reports
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88,000 miles · Nov 1, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOURS MY 2012 CHEVY IMPALA'S DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP SAYING " SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILINK, ENGINE POWER REDUCED" TERRIFIED AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE TRYING TO GET OVER AS MY CAR BEGAN TO GO INTO LIMP MODE.I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ACCELERATING FROM B…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOURS MY 2012 CHEVY IMPALA'S DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP SAYING " SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILINK, ENGINE POWER REDUCED" TERRIFIED AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE TRYING TO GET OVER AS MY CAR BEGAN TO GO INTO LIMP MODE.I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ACCELERATING FROM BEING STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI #11277612

160,000 miles · Jan 5, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

SERVICE STABILITRAK - REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #11165421

51,564 miles · Nov 8, 2018
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO SHERMAN ELGIN HOSPITAL TO REC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO SHERMAN ELGIN HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BY THE POLICE TO AN UNKNOWN LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,564.

NHTSA ODI #11150090

140,720 miles · May 10, 2018
SteeringSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

HUB ASSEMBLY

NHTSA ODI #11093255

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

19,500 miles · Sep 19, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND SWITCHING THE SHIFTER TO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT IN REVERSE AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND SWITCHING THE SHIFTER TO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT IN REVERSE AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500. UPDATED 12/13/16*LJ UPDATED 12/15/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10907528

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

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR HIGHWAY SPEED WAS 65MPH, AT THAT RATE OF SPEED MY VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED AND WHEN I WENT TO PRESS ON MY BRAKES, IT WAS IF I WAS DRIVING ON ICE AND MY CAR WAS SKIDDING. TWO DAYS LATER I STOPPED FOR GAS AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START, AFTER MY 3RD ATTEMPT, IT STUTTERED HARD TIME TURNING OVER. ONCE IT DID I TU…

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR HIGHWAY SPEED WAS 65MPH, AT THAT RATE OF SPEED MY VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED AND WHEN I WENT TO PRESS ON MY BRAKES, IT WAS IF I WAS DRIVING ON ICE AND MY CAR WAS SKIDDING. TWO DAYS LATER I STOPPED FOR GAS AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START, AFTER MY 3RD ATTEMPT, IT STUTTERED HARD TIME TURNING OVER. ONCE IT DID I TURNED IT OFF BUT THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES. VERY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BACK HOME BECAUSE I'M OUT OF TOWN. MY LIGHTS SAYS I HAVE LOW RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE BUT I DON'T, IT'S BACK LEFT TIRE FOR SOME ODD REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598722

66,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

CAR EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO BUSY HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY LANE, SO BROUGHT CAR TO A HALT BLOCKING ONE LANE. THIS WAS AS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LATER DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A LOOSE HOT WIRE TERMINAL CONNECTION TO THE FUSE BOX. IT HAD EITHER VIBRATED LOOSE …

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CAR EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO BUSY HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY LANE, SO BROUGHT CAR TO A HALT BLOCKING ONE LANE. THIS WAS AS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LATER DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A LOOSE HOT WIRE TERMINAL CONNECTION TO THE FUSE BOX. IT HAD EITHER VIBRATED LOOSE OR WAS NOT TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE. LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT INTERESTED IN REPORTING THIS EVENT TO THE GM DATA BASE, SO GAVE ME A CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER TO CALL, WHICH I DID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595615

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10594591

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.