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.
20 crash reports5 fire reports12 injury reports
What owners actually said
258 reports
100,000 miles · Aug 2, 2021
Electrical System
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that two days after purchasing the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the sounds were coming from t…
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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that two days after purchasing the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the sounds were coming from the heater actuator and it could lead to an air conditioner failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided since the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11427476
176,000 miles · Apr 16, 2021
Air BagsEngineService BrakesCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK AND THE BRAKES TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO STREET SIGN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK AND THE BRAKES TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO STREET SIGN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
NHTSA ODI #11408401
162,500 miles · Mar 12, 2021
EngineStructureWheels
MY CAR'S ENGINE ALWAYS FEELS LIKE IT'S DRAGGING IN THE FRONT AND SOUNDS REALLY REALLY BAD LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE OR SOMETHING IT MAKES A LOT OF NOISE AND TICKING SOUND AS WELL WHEN I'M DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #11402608
18,000 miles · Feb 1, 2021
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CURB. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CURB. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED KOONS WHITE MARSH CHEVROLET (10207 PHILADELPHIA RD, WHITE MARSH, MD 21162; (410) 931-8600) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V398000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
NHTSA ODI #11390971
2,000 miles · Jan 25, 2021
Visibility/wiper
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PINS ON WIPER ARMS TWICE IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE WIPER ARMS?
NHTSA ODI #11389912
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2020
SuspensionUnknown Or Other
JUST BOUGHT CAR HAVEN'T HAD ANY RECALL MAINTENANCE CHECKED BY VIN
NHTSA ODI #11362568
13,000 miles · Oct 1, 2020
Exterior Lighting
ALL MY LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE FLICKER. ALSO PANEL LIGHTS DOOR LIGHTS OVERHEAD LIGHTS MAP LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #11362186
113,000 miles · Sep 28, 2020
Unknown Or Other
THE REAR IMPACT BAR ON MY 2012 IMPALA IS ROTTED OUT, NOT JUST RUSTED, ROTTED. IT OFFERS NO PROTECTION IN A REAR END COLLISION. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THE REST OF THE CAR IS STILL PRETTY CLEAN WITH VERY MINOR RUST IN THE BODY SEAMS.
NHTSA ODI #11361473
60,000 miles · Aug 11, 2020
Unknown Or Other
THE DOOR BLEND ACTUATORS GO OUT CONSTANTLY. THE CAR HAS THREE OF THEM. WHEN THEY GO BAD, THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING OR KNOCKING SOUND BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER STOP WORKING. IF IT'S COLD, IT BLOWS COLD AIR AND IF IT'S HOT IT BLOWS HOT AIR. I HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 20 ACTUATORS. ONCE THEY GO BAD, …
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THE DOOR BLEND ACTUATORS GO OUT CONSTANTLY. THE CAR HAS THREE OF THEM. WHEN THEY GO BAD, THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING OR KNOCKING SOUND BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER STOP WORKING. IF IT'S COLD, IT BLOWS COLD AIR AND IF IT'S HOT IT BLOWS HOT AIR. I HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 20 ACTUATORS. ONCE THEY GO BAD, A NEW ONE LAST ONLY A FEW MONTHS, WHICH MEANS THERE IS A DEEPER ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS CHEVY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE; HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL, DEALER COULD NOT QUOTE A PRICE BECAUSE THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG UNTIL THEY GET IN THERE. DEALER SUSPECTS CHEVY WON'T ISSUE RECALL BECAUSE THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND WILL COST THOUSANDS PER CAR TO FIX.
NHTSA ODI #11348561
159,000 miles · Aug 9, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
TRACTION CONTROL AND STABLITRAK LIGHTS COME ON. GRINDING SOUND AND HESITATION BEFORE MOVING IN REVERSE, GOING STRAIGHT AND TURNING. THE HESTIATION KEEPS THE CAR FROM MOVING. CAN TURN OFF AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR A SHORT BIT OF TIME WITH THE BOTTOM ON THE DASH. AFTER A WHILE TURNING IT OFF DOESN'T HELP BECAUSE IT TURNS ITSELF BACK …
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TRACTION CONTROL AND STABLITRAK LIGHTS COME ON. GRINDING SOUND AND HESITATION BEFORE MOVING IN REVERSE, GOING STRAIGHT AND TURNING. THE HESTIATION KEEPS THE CAR FROM MOVING. CAN TURN OFF AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR A SHORT BIT OF TIME WITH THE BOTTOM ON THE DASH. AFTER A WHILE TURNING IT OFF DOESN'T HELP BECAUSE IT TURNS ITSELF BACK ON.
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
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