← New search

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 →

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
50,000 miles · Nov 25, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

THE CAR KEEPS SHORTING OUT THE BATTERY. THE STARTER IS SLUGGISH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON.

NHTSA ODI #10927869

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2016
VisibilityFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED, IT BURNED AND MELTED ONE OF THE PLUGS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE V…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED, IT BURNED AND MELTED ONE OF THE PLUGS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10917582

36,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE LEFT TURNS AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, IT WOULD SOMETIMES STALL AND DECELERATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WERE ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 01/…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE LEFT TURNS AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, IT WOULD SOMETIMES STALL AND DECELERATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WERE ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT *TR

NHTSA ODI #10914021

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 …

Read full complaint

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

57,000 miles · Sep 10, 2016
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 60MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CARJUST DIED, IT STARTED TO DECELERATE, I TRIED TO PUSH GAS BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE WITHOUT INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #10905489

20,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Air BagsEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED, THE ENGINE LEAKED TRANSMISSION OIL AND FUEL, AND THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED, THE ENGINE LEAKED TRANSMISSION OIL AND FUEL, AND THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10899134

63,000 miles · Aug 20, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Wheels

ABS LIGHT COMES ON STABILTRAC LIGHT COMES ON BRAKES PULSE AND GRIND ON OCCASION DON'T WANT TO STOP AT TIMES LIKE YOUR ON ICE

NHTSA ODI #10897321

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2016
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN SOUTH KOREA WITH ME, BECAUSE I'M STATIONED HERE FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. I'M MOVING BACK TO THE STATES AND MY CAR IS SUPPOSED TO SHIP OFF AUGUST 29TH BUT MY CAR CANNOT SHIP WITH A RECALL STATUS THAT READS INCOMPLETE STATUS WITH THE VPC CENTER. NO DEALERSHIP IN KOREA CAN HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. MY RECALL IS…

Read full complaint

MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN SOUTH KOREA WITH ME, BECAUSE I'M STATIONED HERE FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. I'M MOVING BACK TO THE STATES AND MY CAR IS SUPPOSED TO SHIP OFF AUGUST 29TH BUT MY CAR CANNOT SHIP WITH A RECALL STATUS THAT READS INCOMPLETE STATUS WITH THE VPC CENTER. NO DEALERSHIP IN KOREA CAN HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. MY RECALL ISSUE STATES IF THE KEY RING IS CARRYING ADDED WEIGHT AND THE VEHICLE GOES OFF ROAD OR EXPERIENCES SOME OTHER JARRING EVENT, IT MAY UNINTENTIONALLY MOVE THE KEY AWAY FROM THE "RUN" POSITION. AFTER CALLING THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD A CASE WOULD BE OPENED IN MY SITUATION TO ATTEMPT TO CLOSE OUT THE RECALL DUE TO ME HAVING HE VEHICLE THREE YEARS WITH NO ISSUES RELATED TO THIS. IT HAS BEEN A WEEK AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED IN TWO DAYS WITH AN ANSWER. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION SO THAT MY CAR CAN BE SHIPPED BACK TO AMERICA???

NHTSA ODI #10894680

72,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

MY CAR IS TRYING TO KILL ME. AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN I HIT THE GAS THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON. MY DASH SAYS SERVICE STABILITRAK , TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS. I MUST TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. WITH ALL THAT, IF I DRIVE UP HILL IT TURNS THE TRACTION CONTROL ON, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT UP AND THE…

Read full complaint

MY CAR IS TRYING TO KILL ME. AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN I HIT THE GAS THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON. MY DASH SAYS SERVICE STABILITRAK , TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS. I MUST TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. WITH ALL THAT, IF I DRIVE UP HILL IT TURNS THE TRACTION CONTROL ON, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT UP AND THE LIGHTS STAY ON. WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED ALL THE LIGHTS GO AWAY. TWICE I WAS PULLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM A STOP. THAT SITUATION HAPPENED AND MY CAR DIDNT MOVE. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS ABLE TO MOVE OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE SEVERLY INJURED. THIS HAPPENS WITH MY VEHICLE DAILY. I TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE MY ALTERNATOR FAILED. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A TSB FOR THE ISSUE AND THEY DID NOTHING. IT ALSO HAPPENS A LOT IF IM ACCELERATING WHILE TURNING A CORNER. THE DASH LIGHTS UP LIKE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10894672

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.