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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
26,700 miles · Aug 27, 2012
StructureInjury

UPON ARRIVING AT A RESTAURANT LOCATION WHERE WE PLANNED TO DINE, MY SPOUSE OPENED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR USING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. WHILE PUSHING THE DOOR OPEN SHE RELAXED HER HANDHOLD ON THE HANDLE ALLOWING HER RIGHT HAND PINKIE FINGER TO BECOME CAPTURED BETWEEN THE RETRACTING HANDLE AND THE FLAT AREA WHERE THE HAND…

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UPON ARRIVING AT A RESTAURANT LOCATION WHERE WE PLANNED TO DINE, MY SPOUSE OPENED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR USING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. WHILE PUSHING THE DOOR OPEN SHE RELAXED HER HANDHOLD ON THE HANDLE ALLOWING HER RIGHT HAND PINKIE FINGER TO BECOME CAPTURED BETWEEN THE RETRACTING HANDLE AND THE FLAT AREA WHERE THE HANDLE IS ATTACHED. IT PINCHED HER FINGER AND IT IMMEDIATELY FORMED A BLOOD BLISTER AND WAS VERY PAINFUL. AFTER SHE EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, I INSPECTED ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO REPLICATE HER TYPE OF INJURY AT ANY OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES. I THEN TOOK A PICTURE OF HER INJURY AND THE PROBLEM INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472704

7,000 miles · Aug 3, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE STARTED VIA NORMAL KEY IGNITION. AFTER HIGH IDLING STOPS FOR WARM UP, VEHICLE STARTS TO HAVE ODOMETER NEEDLE MOVE FROM 500 RPM TO 1000 RPM FOR A STEADY 5 TO TEN MINUTES. IN ADDITION, EVENT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AT LONG STOPS EVEN AFTER CAR WARM. USUALLY, RPM MAY STEADY AT ABOUT 750 OR SO A NORMAL RPM SETTING FOR THIS VEHI…

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VEHICLE STARTED VIA NORMAL KEY IGNITION. AFTER HIGH IDLING STOPS FOR WARM UP, VEHICLE STARTS TO HAVE ODOMETER NEEDLE MOVE FROM 500 RPM TO 1000 RPM FOR A STEADY 5 TO TEN MINUTES. IN ADDITION, EVENT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AT LONG STOPS EVEN AFTER CAR WARM. USUALLY, RPM MAY STEADY AT ABOUT 750 OR SO A NORMAL RPM SETTING FOR THIS VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO KEPT IT FOR A WEEK. NO CORRECTION MADE. DEALER STATE WAITING TO HEAR FROM MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE STILL HAVE PROBLEM HAVING NEEDLE FLUTTER BETWEEN THE RPM MENTIONED CAUSING UNDUE DISTRESS TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. PLEASE ASSIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469138

8,486 miles · Jun 15, 2012
SteeringWheels

I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES AT HOME. WHEN REPLACING THE WHEELS I STARTED AND SNAGGED THE LUG NUTS BY HAND. I WENT TO TORQUE THE LUG NUTS TO SPECIFICATIONS (100 FOOT POUNDS) USING A TORQUE WRENCH. ONE OF THE RIGHT FRONT LUG NUTS WOULD NOT STOP TURNING WAY BEFORE REACHING THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WRENCH, THE S…

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I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES AT HOME. WHEN REPLACING THE WHEELS I STARTED AND SNAGGED THE LUG NUTS BY HAND. I WENT TO TORQUE THE LUG NUTS TO SPECIFICATIONS (100 FOOT POUNDS) USING A TORQUE WRENCH. ONE OF THE RIGHT FRONT LUG NUTS WOULD NOT STOP TURNING WAY BEFORE REACHING THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WRENCH, THE STUD SNAPPED OFF. ONE OF THE LUGS/STUDS NEXT TO IT ALSO FELT SUSPICIOUS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD ALL STUDS AND LUGS REPLACED ON THAT WHEEL AS I AM AFRAID THERE MAY BE A BAD BATCH OF STUDS. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN SAVED IF NEEDED FOR TESTING. I WAS A MECHANIC IN THE 1960'S AND HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK ON MY OWN AND FAMILY VEHICLES SINCE THEN. I CAN NOT RECALL EVER SNAPPING A STUD BEFORE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461854

2,200 miles · Jun 5, 2012
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING, I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. I HAD A 20 OZ AQUAFINA BOTTLE OF WATER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON AND CAR WAS WANTING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND THE THOUGHT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOY…

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WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING, I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. I HAD A 20 OZ AQUAFINA BOTTLE OF WATER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON AND CAR WAS WANTING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND THE THOUGHT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING BECAUSE THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG THOUGHT THERE WAS A PERSON SITTING THERE IS VERY DISTURBING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460656

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT. CONSUMER STATES HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS VERY NOISY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STAND STILL AND ALSO STATES ISSUES WITH VIBRATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR MOTOR MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LINES, WHICH APPARENTLY RUN DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR, VIBRATE DU…

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2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT. CONSUMER STATES HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS VERY NOISY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STAND STILL AND ALSO STATES ISSUES WITH VIBRATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR MOTOR MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LINES, WHICH APPARENTLY RUN DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR, VIBRATE DUE TO THE HARMONICS SET UP BY THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE VIBRATION IS CONTINUOUS AND CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE FLOOR AND UP INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10459443

10 miles · Mar 31, 2012
Engine

ENGINE MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. I DROVE ANOTHER ONE AND THE NOISE WAS EVEN WORSE, THAT ONE HAD 15000 MILES ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM ALL. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAR. I DON'T ENJOY HEARING ALL THIS NOISE FROM A NEW CAR. (NOW HAS 6000 MILES ON IT) IF I CAN'T RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM IT W…

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ENGINE MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. I DROVE ANOTHER ONE AND THE NOISE WAS EVEN WORSE, THAT ONE HAD 15000 MILES ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM ALL. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAR. I DON'T ENJOY HEARING ALL THIS NOISE FROM A NEW CAR. (NOW HAS 6000 MILES ON IT) IF I CAN'T RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM IT WILL BE THE LAST GM CAR I EVER BUY. THE DEALER HAD ME DRIVE ANOTHER NEW 2012 IMPALA WHEN I MENTIONED THE NOISE, IT ALSO SOUNDED THE SAME. GM DEFINITELY DIDN'T ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PRODUCTION. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10453664

120 miles · Feb 21, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE OR KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING , I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS BEING THAT THIS NOISE STARTED THE NEXT DAY AFTER I HAD THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP . I'M HOPING THIS ISN'T A SAFETY CONCERN BUT IT SURE IS A CUSTOMER DISSATISFACTION. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO ISOLATE THE NOISE AND COULD NOT AN…

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ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE OR KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING , I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS BEING THAT THIS NOISE STARTED THE NEXT DAY AFTER I HAD THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP . I'M HOPING THIS ISN'T A SAFETY CONCERN BUT IT SURE IS A CUSTOMER DISSATISFACTION. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO ISOLATE THE NOISE AND COULD NOT AND SAID I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE MANUFACTURER GM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. I'M VERY DEPRESSED ABOUT THIS HAVING SPENT GOOD MONEY ON A NEW CAR JUST TO HAVE IT MAKE MORE NOISE THAT A 40 YEAR OLD CAR , AND THEN BEING TOLD I HAVE TO WAIT TILL SOMEONE COMPLAINS ENOUGH TO SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED. I BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A NEW ENGINE IN THE IMPALA AND NOW AM WONDERING IF THIS ENGINE IS GOING TO BECOME A PROBLEM FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF. I HAVE READ SOME MAJOR CONCERNS FROM PEOPLE ABOUT THE 06 IMPALA AND HOPE THIS ISN'T WHERE MY CAR IS HEADED. ANY HELP THAT I COULD GET WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED, THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10449788

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2011
Power TrainCrashInjury

CAR WAS IN PARK AT A GAS STATION, IGNITION OFF, CAR NOT RUNNING. GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED "PARK". DRIVER WAS OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR ROLLED AWAY, CRASHING INTO PARKED VEHICLE AND RESULTING IN INJURY TO DRIVER. THIS WAS AN AVIS RENTAL CAR WITH 7,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439689

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.