IllustrationCHECK ENGINE, FUEL TANK WILL NOT FILL, CAR RUNS OK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsSERVICE STABILITRAK - REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PREMIER NISSAN OF METAIRIE (504-455-5800, LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PREMIER NISSAN OF METAIRIE (504-455-5800, LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SEVEN DIFFERENT FAILURE CODES WERE LOCATED, INCLUDING THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL RELAY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE PARTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT PRESSURE(?) SWITCH IN SEAT FOR AIR BAG, CONSTANTLY GOES OFF INDICATING THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING THERE, WHEN IN FACT THERE IS NO ONE OR A PIECE OF PAPER ON THE SEAT. IT STARTED OUT AS A RARE OCCURRENCE BUT IS NOW PRETTY MUCH SWITCHING ON ALL THE TIME, EITHER AT CAR START UP OR IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. …
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THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT PRESSURE(?) SWITCH IN SEAT FOR AIR BAG, CONSTANTLY GOES OFF INDICATING THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING THERE, WHEN IN FACT THERE IS NO ONE OR A PIECE OF PAPER ON THE SEAT. IT STARTED OUT AS A RARE OCCURRENCE BUT IS NOW PRETTY MUCH SWITCHING ON ALL THE TIME, EITHER AT CAR START UP OR IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. IF IT DIDN'T DINGLE, WARNING THE PASSENGER ISN'T BUCKLED IT WOULDN'T BE A HUGE DEAL, BUT STILL WOULDN'T NEED IT TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THERE ISN'T A PASSENGER.
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AND ACCELERATING LOOSE THE TRACTION CONTROL (STABILIZER TRACTION CONTROL DISPLAY) AND CAN NOT ACCELERATE MOMENTARILY. MOST OF THE IMES ITS HAPPENING WHEN TURNING LEFT (SLOW SPEED) OR ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED POSITION (RED LIGHT)
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO SHERMAN ELGIN HOSPITAL TO REC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO SHERMAN ELGIN HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BY THE POLICE TO AN UNKNOWN LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,564.
TAKATA RECALL MY STABILITY TRACK SENSOR IS CONSTENTLY COMING ON OVERPOWERING MY DRIVING AND MESSING MY DRIVING UP. IT HAPPENS WITH NO CONDITIONS WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I ALSO HAD THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE REPLACED MANY THINGS THAT I WAS TOLD CAN B…
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TAKATA RECALL MY STABILITY TRACK SENSOR IS CONSTENTLY COMING ON OVERPOWERING MY DRIVING AND MESSING MY DRIVING UP. IT HAPPENS WITH NO CONDITIONS WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I ALSO HAD THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE REPLACED MANY THINGS THAT I WAS TOLD CAN BE CAUSING THIS. THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE.
THE RADIO WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO SHOWS A BLANK SCREEN AND DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. MY DOOR CHIMES, IGNITION CHIME, SEAT BELT CHIMES, TURN SIGNAL CHIMES NONE OF THAT WORKS EITHER. NOT SURE IF IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. HOWEVER I HAD MY BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED. HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR MAYBE 2 MONTHS NOW.
TAKATA RECALL MY CAR FEEL LIKE ITS LOOSING POWER WHEN I START IT UP AND THE IGNITION HOUSING NEED TO BE REPLACE
Official recalls
314V355000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.