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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
90,000 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Unknown Or Other

LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. THE SOUND IS NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SIDE. IT HAPPENS WHENEVER I UNLOCK THE DOORS OR DO ANYTHING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING CONTROLS. IT GOES ON FOR MINUTES AT A TIME WHEN I FIRST GET IN THE CAR AND HAPPENS ON AND OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11229316

141,200 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSuspension

SINCE 2017, UPON STARTING MY CAR I GET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ALERT MSGS "SERVICE STABILITRAK", *SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" ON MY DASHBOARD. I'VE HAD THE CAR INTO LES SCHWAB AND ERROR CODE DIAGNOSTICS DONE BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER BOTH FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. THE SAME SERVICE MESSAGES STILL CO…

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SINCE 2017, UPON STARTING MY CAR I GET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ALERT MSGS "SERVICE STABILITRAK", *SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" ON MY DASHBOARD. I'VE HAD THE CAR INTO LES SCHWAB AND ERROR CODE DIAGNOSTICS DONE BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER BOTH FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. THE SAME SERVICE MESSAGES STILL CONTINUE TO APPEAR ON THE DASH. LES SCHWAB HAS CHECKED THE HUB SENSOR WIRES REPEATEDLY AND ALL ERROR CODES AND FIND THEM TO BE OK. THEY FIND THE CAR TO STILL HAVE A CRUNCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR, MOST MARKEDLY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT, BUT CAN ALSO BE HEARD WHEN THERE IS A DROP IN ELEVATION, AS WHEN EXISTING A PARKING LOT INTO A SLIGHTLY LOWER ROADWAY. ON JUNE 14,2019, WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND TURNING RIGHT AT A STOPLIGHT, THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AS HAS WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACTED AS THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED VERY HARD AND THEN THE CAR HALTED BRIEFLY WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AS THOUGH IT WOULD STALL OUT. I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR TILL I FORCED THE CAR TO MOVE AROUND THE CORNER AND AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OF FIGHTING BRAKING RESISTANCE, I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN NORMAL 40 MPH SPEED WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH NO PRECIPITATION. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 100 DEGREES. BEST DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH NO ROUGH ROADWAY. LES SCHWAB SAID THE PROBLEM WITH THE HUB SENSOR AND LEFT TURNING IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO THEM AND SAID THEY WISH IT WOULD BE MADE A RECALL ITEM AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM NOW. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CHEVY IMPALA. LOVE MY CAR BUT WON'T TAKE A CHANCE ON PURCHASING SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I WASN'T SO SURPRISED WHEN RESEARCHING THESE ISSUES ON THE INTERNET TO FIND HUGE NUMBER OF OWNER'S HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11220345

41,233 miles · May 24, 2019
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA,I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS VEHICLE A LOT.ON COMPLAINT WEBSITES,THERE ARE PAGES AND PAGES OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BLEND DOORS FOR HEAT AND AIR,YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE DEFROST OR AIR OOR HEAT,THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR ANYBODY TO DRIVE AND YOU CAN GO UP TO CAR AND BADLY TOUCH CAR AND I…

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MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA,I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS VEHICLE A LOT.ON COMPLAINT WEBSITES,THERE ARE PAGES AND PAGES OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BLEND DOORS FOR HEAT AND AIR,YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE DEFROST OR AIR OOR HEAT,THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR ANYBODY TO DRIVE AND YOU CAN GO UP TO CAR AND BADLY TOUCH CAR AND IT STARTS CLICKING AND CLICKING AND DON'T STOP,CHEVROLET REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM THAT'S THEIR FAULT FOR USING INFERIOR PARTS ,THAT TO ME AND A LOT,A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY CHEVROLET AND GM,DON'T GIVE A [XXX] ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR VEHICLES OR CUSTOMERS,SO IF THIS PROBLEM ISN'T ADDRESSED,I KNOW YOU DON'T CARE BUT I'LL NEVER BUY A CHEVROLET AGAIN,AND I'VE BOUGHT QUITE A FEW CHEVROLET'S,BUT NEVER BEEN TREATED THIS WAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES,THE REASON I KNOW IT'S DANGEROUS IS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T CONTROL ANY FUNCTIONS OF THE HEAT AIR OR DEFROST,MY WIFE IS DISABLED AND FOR HER TO HAVE TO GET OUT AND WIPE WINDSHIELD OFF JUST TO DRIVE,AND GOD HELP US IF IT RAINS,WE HAVE TO PULL OVER TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD,IF THAT'S NOT DANGEROUS THEN ANYBODY THAT OWNS ONE OF THESE CARS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11209652

107,000 miles · Apr 12, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

MY CAR'S STABILITRACK, BARAKE ASSIST, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON EVERYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE CAR HESITATES WHEN GIVING GAS MAKING IT FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN GETTING INTO TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI #11195942

107,000 miles · Mar 31, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

FIRST ITEM,DRIVING STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON TWICE HOW TO GO TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.SECOND ITEM, PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT ISSUE, REPLACE BULB THREE TIMES CAN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTION OR WIRING ISSUE. TO REPLACE BULB, REQUIRES REMOVAL OF FRONT END BUMPER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE PROJECT. PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE NIG…

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FIRST ITEM,DRIVING STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON TWICE HOW TO GO TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.SECOND ITEM, PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT ISSUE, REPLACE BULB THREE TIMES CAN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTION OR WIRING ISSUE. TO REPLACE BULB, REQUIRES REMOVAL OF FRONT END BUMPER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE PROJECT. PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE NIGHT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11192727

98,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Electrical System

THE ACTUATOR HAS FAILED IN THE CAR, A SMALL ELECTRICAL MOTOR THAT MOVES THE TEMP DOORS OR THE RECIRCULATION DOOR. WHEN THE ACTUATOR GOES BAD, YOU WILL HEAR A THUMP NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH THAT IS EXTREMELY LOUD, WHICH IMPEDES THE DRIVER ABILITY TO HEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, WHICH IS TRUE A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE GOOGLED ONLINE A…

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THE ACTUATOR HAS FAILED IN THE CAR, A SMALL ELECTRICAL MOTOR THAT MOVES THE TEMP DOORS OR THE RECIRCULATION DOOR. WHEN THE ACTUATOR GOES BAD, YOU WILL HEAR A THUMP NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH THAT IS EXTREMELY LOUD, WHICH IMPEDES THE DRIVER ABILITY TO HEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, WHICH IS TRUE A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE GOOGLED ONLINE AND THERE ARE 5K COMPLAINTS OVERALL. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH IS NOT SAFE FOR CONSUMER. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T1733_DS503761 HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/IMPALA/2012/AC_HEATER/KNOCKING_NOISE_IN_GLOVE_COMPARTMENT.SHTML

NHTSA ODI #11191626

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSuspension

NOTIFICATION ON DASH HAS BEEN ON STATING THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM WILL NOT DEPLOY. ON STAR HAS ALSO SENT ME DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS STATING THIS IS A URGENT MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED

NHTSA ODI #11186340

42,303 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

2/16/2019 (SAT 3:30PM) : SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY 99 NEAR FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. FELT LIKE NO GAS COMING IN. ENGINE WAS STILL ON, BUT GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO PUMP NO GAS TO THE ENGINE. PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO ACCELERATION RESPONSE. SPEED CONTINUED TO DROP ON THE HIGHWAY, VERY DANGEROUS! …

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2/16/2019 (SAT 3:30PM) : SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY 99 NEAR FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. FELT LIKE NO GAS COMING IN. ENGINE WAS STILL ON, BUT GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO PUMP NO GAS TO THE ENGINE. PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO ACCELERATION RESPONSE. SPEED CONTINUED TO DROP ON THE HIGHWAY, VERY DANGEROUS! FINALLY, LUCKILY PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT MISHAP. ENGINE WAS STILL ON WHEN STOPPING BY THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, KIND OF IDLING AT LOW RPM. SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND TRIED TO RESTART IT TO HOPE FOR THE PROBLEM TO GO AWAY. CRANKED A DOZEN TIMES AND COULD NOT TO GET ENGINE TO CONTINUE. FELT LIKE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. 2/17/2019 SUN: THE CAR WAS FINALLY TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER. 2/18/2019 MON DEALER SERVICE DIAGNOSIS REPORTED BROKEN "FUEL FLOW CONTROL MODULE". THE ESTIMATE OF ITS REPAIR (PART + LABOR) IS NEAR $500 I HAVE ASKED THE REPLACED MODULE TO BE SAVED FOR INVESTIGATION. SUMMARY: SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE FUEL FLOW CONTROL MODULE THAT COMPLETELY CUTS OFF THE FUEL WITHOUT A FAIL-SAFE DESIGN, NOR A WARNING, FOR A PART NOT IN THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE LIST, PARTICULARLY AT LOW MILEAGE (42,000) EXPOSES DRIVERS TO HIGH RISK OF ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY. ACTION REQUESTED: IT MAY BE A QUALITY-ESCAPED ISSUE ON SUCH A MODULE. FAILSAFE DESIGN IS NEEDED FOR 21 CENTURY HIGHWAY SAFETY. I ASK NHTSA TO REQUEST GM TO INVESTIGATE THIS CASE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF SUCH SUDDEN FAILURE OF FUEL FLOW CONTROL MODULE ON A LOW-MILEAGE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11180992

93,775 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

SERVICE STABILITRAK CAME ON WHEN MERGING ON TO THE FREEWAY, (WHICH INVOLVED A TURN TO GET ON THE ON-RAMP,) SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI. I HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED BECAUSE OF STABILITRAK LIGHT. HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? MY FRIEND AND I ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSORS OR WHATEVER I…

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SERVICE STABILITRAK CAME ON WHEN MERGING ON TO THE FREEWAY, (WHICH INVOLVED A TURN TO GET ON THE ON-RAMP,) SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI. I HAVE HAD THE BEARINGS REPLACED BECAUSE OF STABILITRAK LIGHT. HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? MY FRIEND AND I ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSORS OR WHATEVER IT IS WITH THESE CRAP BEARINGS. I WAS TOLD HOW THE BEARINGS ARE MADE WITH THE SENSORS BEING PLACED IN A COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS SPOT BY AUTO PARTS STORES. SAW PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THIS VEHICLE. SAME ISSUE. HOW HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE WITH THIS?

NHTSA ODI #11173380

94,000 miles · Jan 14, 2019
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT NO MORE THAN 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE CONTROL ARM GAVE OUT AND IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. THEN IT HIT THE BARRIER WALL AND THE 2 TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BLEW ON CONTACT. TOWED TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THAT THE TIE RODS ALSO WENT OUT. THE BRAKES AND SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE NEW AND IT IS REGULARLY IN THE SHOP FOR…

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WHILE DRIVING AT NO MORE THAN 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE CONTROL ARM GAVE OUT AND IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. THEN IT HIT THE BARRIER WALL AND THE 2 TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BLEW ON CONTACT. TOWED TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THAT THE TIE RODS ALSO WENT OUT. THE BRAKES AND SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE NEW AND IT IS REGULARLY IN THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS. THIS IS INEXCUSABLE AND THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY RECALLED AND TAKEN OUT OF CIRCULATION.

NHTSA ODI #11166797

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.