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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

What owners actually said

258 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11062780

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

I TOOK IN MY WIFE'S 2012 IMPALA INTO THE AUTO MECHANIC ABOUT A MONTH AGO BECAUSE HER DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THAT SOMETHING BURNED (I THINK IT WAS A BOX WITH SOME WIRES). HE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW PART AND IT WAS WORKING. LAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT HER REAR DEFROSTER IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. I PLAN ON TAKIN…

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I TOOK IN MY WIFE'S 2012 IMPALA INTO THE AUTO MECHANIC ABOUT A MONTH AGO BECAUSE HER DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THAT SOMETHING BURNED (I THINK IT WAS A BOX WITH SOME WIRES). HE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW PART AND IT WAS WORKING. LAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT HER REAR DEFROSTER IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. I PLAN ON TAKING IT IN AGAIN BUT IF THEY FIX THE SAME THING I WOULD ASSUME IT WOULD BE AN ONGOING CYCLE OF THIS PROBLEM. I DID DO SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND NOTICED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET COOPERATION AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11058537

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR OTHER REPAIRS AT THAT TIME AND THE CONTACT HAD THE MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR OTHER REPAIRS AT THAT TIME AND THE CONTACT HAD THE MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE TICKING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TK HOLDINGS, ALERTING HER THAT TAKATA FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11056070

72,000 miles · Dec 1, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STABILITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STABILITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #11051675

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

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2017
Air Bags

I HAVE A2012 IMPALA WHICH HAD ALMOST 60000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED IT. VEHICLE NOW HAS AROUND 85000 MILES ON IT, HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS EVER. RECENTLY MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DISPLAYING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF. I TOOK IT INTO A SHOP WHERE THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT IS …

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I HAVE A2012 IMPALA WHICH HAD ALMOST 60000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED IT. VEHICLE NOW HAS AROUND 85000 MILES ON IT, HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS EVER. RECENTLY MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DISPLAYING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF. I TOOK IT INTO A SHOP WHERE THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT IS MOST LIKELY THE SENSOR ON PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER BEING TOLD THIS, I TOOK IN TO DEALER SHIP FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE REMINDING YOU THAT IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS VEHICLE IS IN USE WITHOUT AIR BAGS PROPERLY WORKING. I KNOW THAT THERE IS PRIOR RECALLS FOR SAME VEHICLE, SAME PROBLEM ONLY THE RECALLS WERE FOR YEARS 2008-2010. THE DEALER WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGING ME ALMOST A 200$ FEE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON A MAJOR KNOWN SECURITY ISSUE. I FURTHER CALLED GM THE SAME DAY AND SPOKE TO TWO REPRESENTATIVESEPARATE. THE FIRST REP WAS A MAN, I EXPLAINED THAT THE AIR BAG FRONT PASSENGER NOTIFICATION CAME ON. HE ASKED IF I WAS IN ACCIDENT,WHICH NO, NEVER ANY ACCIDENT. HE PUT ME ON HOLD THEN CAME BACK AND ADVISED ME OF A RECALL AND HE WAS NEEDING TO SEE WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO FOR ME, PUT ME BACK ON HOLD JUST TO GET ANOTHER REP , I ASKED FOR SUPERVISOR.THE LADY CAME ON AND CLEARLY TOLD ME THE OPPOSITE OF THE MAN I WAS JUST TALKING TO. THAT NO NO RECALL, THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FEES.ARE YOU KIDDING ME??THEY SAID THAT UPON PREVIOUS SITUATIONS,THAT AN AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING COSTING ABOUT $1000..CLEARLY THERE'S A FAULTY, SOFTWARE DEFECT WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR MY VEHICLE. GM NEEDS TO CARE THAT NO LIFE SHOULD BE AT RISK IF IN AN UNSAFE CHEVY IMPALA. I REFUSE TO THINK GM PROVIDES UNSAFE VEHICLES TO ANYONE. THERE'S WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS OF AIR BAG ISSUES WITH THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES, GOD FORBID ANY ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND GM COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE PROBLEM AND EVEN SAVE A LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #11042152

70,000 miles · Oct 16, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)CrashInjury

I OWN A CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND AN AIRBAG RECALL. THE 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT I OWN CAUSED ME TO HAVE A SEVERE ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED ME TO SUFFER MAJOR INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V355000 RECALL DATE: 2014-06-23 SUMMARY THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT THE SAFE OPE…

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I OWN A CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND AN AIRBAG RECALL. THE 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT I OWN CAUSED ME TO HAVE A SEVERE ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED ME TO SUFFER MAJOR INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V355000 RECALL DATE: 2014-06-23 SUMMARY 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. SPECS / REVIEWSFOR SALE SAFETY 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2012 SAFETY 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA RECALLS FEATURES RATING RECALLS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V355000 RECALL DATE: 2014-06-23 SUMMARY THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. CONSEQUENCES 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. COMPONENT AFFECTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION NOTES GENERAL MOTORS LLC

NHTSA ODI #11033957

85,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2014 WITH ~30,000 MILES, AND IT PRESENTLY HAS ~85,000 MILES. IN THAT TIME I HAVE REPLACED 4 GAS PEDALS BECAUSE THE ALERT TRIGGERED "SERVICE STABILITRAK" TELLS THE TECHNICIAN TO REPLACE THE GAS PEDAL - CLEARLY NOT THE PROBLEM. ESSENTIALLY, WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURS, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED TO WHERE TH…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2014 WITH ~30,000 MILES, AND IT PRESENTLY HAS ~85,000 MILES. IN THAT TIME I HAVE REPLACED 4 GAS PEDALS BECAUSE THE ALERT TRIGGERED "SERVICE STABILITRAK" TELLS THE TECHNICIAN TO REPLACE THE GAS PEDAL - CLEARLY NOT THE PROBLEM. ESSENTIALLY, WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURS, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED TO WHERE THE CAR CAN BARELY GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS DURING HIGHWAY RUSH HOUR (WHEN FOLKS DRIVE MORE AGGRESSIVELY) OR PULLING ONTO A ROADWAY FROM A DEAD STOP. IF I POWER THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART IT, THE ERROR WILL USUALLY CLEAR, BUT OFTEN REOCCURS. SINCE IT TENDS TO HAPPEN ON HOT, SUNNY DAYS (TEMP >75F) WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING, IT FEELS LIKE A WIRING PROBLEM. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OVER A SIMILAR ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT GM HAS A PROBLEM THAT IT IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS WITH A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN.

NHTSA ODI #11032079

75,070 miles · Oct 3, 2017
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11031580

86,800 miles · Sep 18, 2017
EngineService BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD MAKE A TURN OR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL POP SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING IN THE FRONT MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (HENDRICK CHEVROLET, 100 AUTO MALL DRIVE, CARY, N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD MAKE A TURN OR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL POP SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING IN THE FRONT MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (HENDRICK CHEVROLET, 100 AUTO MALL DRIVE, CARY, NC, 27511, 919-439-5132) ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER SINCE THEY WERE OUT OF STATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (DAN VADEN CHEVROLET SAVANNAH, 9393 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA, 31406) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK, BRAKES/ ROTORS, AND TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE STEERING RACK, BRAKES/ROTORS, TIE ROD, AND ALIGNMENT WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE NOW SHAKES INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-3209374202. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,800.

NHTSA ODI #11024087

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.