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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
73,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Power TrainSuspensionWheels

USED CAR PURCHASED WITH APPROX. 72,000 MILES. MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAME APPARENT AT 73,000 MILES APPROX. GRINDING CLUNKING SQUEALING NOISES WERE 1ST WARNING SIGNS. ALL OF THESE NOISES OCCUR ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, INTERMITTENTLY, BUT EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE AC/HEATER WENT OUT BECAUSE THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED.…

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USED CAR PURCHASED WITH APPROX. 72,000 MILES. MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAME APPARENT AT 73,000 MILES APPROX. GRINDING CLUNKING SQUEALING NOISES WERE 1ST WARNING SIGNS. ALL OF THESE NOISES OCCUR ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, INTERMITTENTLY, BUT EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE AC/HEATER WENT OUT BECAUSE THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. HANDLING WAS HORRIBLE SO REPLACED MOST OF SUSPENSION PARTS BUT ALIGNMENT REPEATEDLY GOES OUT AND MECHANICS ARE IDIOTS SO THEY JUST SAY THEY ARE STUMPED AND SEND ME AWAY. THAT PROMPTED ME TO RESEARCH ON MY OWN. I LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE HUB BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD SEEING AS HOW I JUST SPENT A FEW GRAND ON OTHER REPAIRS.THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING WHICH MAKES IT JERK WHEN ACCELERATING, DRIVE VERY SLUGGISH, AND MAKES LOUD NOISES AT IDLE AND IN MOTION. THERE IS MORE PROBLEMS THAT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO LIST. I CONTINUE TO RESEARCH ALL OF THIS VEHICLES COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS TIME FOR A REAL RECALL! GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MAKING SUCH A NIGHTMARE OF A CAR. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP FOR $10,000 ONE YEAR AGO AND STILL OWE $8,600. JUST HAD THE CAR APPRAISED AT $3,000, SO I AM UPSIDE DOWN $5,500. I CANNOT TRADE IT IN, CANNOT AFFORD PERPECTUALLY REPAIRING AND WOULD NOT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO END. IT IS PARKED NOW BECAUSE I CANNOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE, SO I CANNOT GET TO WORK AND MAY HAVE TO HAVE IT REPOSSESED. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!

NHTSA ODI #11132050

40 miles · Sep 27, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THERE'S A TICKING SOUND INSIDE THE DASHBOARD AND IT GET LOUDER AND TICK FOR 5 TO 10 MIN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND STARTING UP

NHTSA ODI #11132026

94,000 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR MAKES GRINDING NOISE AND STOPS AFTER MOVING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN AT A FULL STOP

NHTSA ODI #11120413

144,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, ABS, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GARBER CHEVROLET (1700 N. SAGINAW RD, MIDLAND, MI 48640) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, ABS, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GARBER CHEVROLET (1700 N. SAGINAW RD, MIDLAND, MI 48640) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE RECHARGED AND A LOOSE GROUND CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000. **TR CONSUMER STATED SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL-SERVICE STABILIZER-SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST CAME ON AND CAR STOPPED DEAD COMPLETELY- CAR KEY IN ON POSITION AND CAR IN DRIVE. HAD NO POWER AT ALL- HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK MY DOOR TO GET OUT. THEY HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO GARAGE WITH MY KEYS STUCK IN IT. FLASHERS AND NOTHING WORKED. LUCKILY NO ONE SMASHED INTO ME AND IF OUT ON A MAIN HIGHWAY GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED I WOULDN'T BE HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS. THE CAR IS FIXED BUT MY FEARS OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN ARE IMMENSE. UPDATED 10/31/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11114499

96,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING SUDDEN JERKS OF EXTRA POWER THEN SOMETIMES LOWER POWER/ ALOT OF CLICKING WHEN IM NOT IN THE CAR AND EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR OR TURN OFF THE CAR. LIGHTA FLICKER WHEN ROLLING THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN AND JUST WHEN THEY WANT RO

NHTSA ODI #11113401

110,000 miles · Jul 12, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

GRINDING SOUND WHEN I TURN LEFT. SERVICE STABILITY TRACK POPS UP THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO TURN TRACTION CONTROL OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11111078

66,000 miles · Jul 9, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

MY VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM LOSS OF POWER WHEN MAKING A SQUARE TURN AKA A VERY SHARP TURN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH LEFT TURNS. THE PROBLEM IS WEAR OF A CABLE NEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WHICH CONTROLS THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND/OR THE TRACTION CONTROL / STABILITRAK FEATURE. THE WEARING IS SUCH THAT WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, THE WORN …

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MY VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM LOSS OF POWER WHEN MAKING A SQUARE TURN AKA A VERY SHARP TURN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH LEFT TURNS. THE PROBLEM IS WEAR OF A CABLE NEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WHICH CONTROLS THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND/OR THE TRACTION CONTROL / STABILITRAK FEATURE. THE WEARING IS SUCH THAT WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, THE WORN CABLE SUFFERS INTERMITTENT CONNECTIVITY LOSS. THAT LOSS OF CONNECTIVITY TRIGGERS TRACTION CONTROL TO BRIEFLY SEVER POWER TO THE FRONT TIRES. I HAVE FOUND THAT MANUALLY TURNING OFF TRACTION CONTROL PREVENTS THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING. I COULD REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM RELIABLY. IT NEARLY ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN MOVING FROM A PARKED POSITION INTO THE ROADWAY, AND WHEN LEAVING A PARKING LOT AFTER REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM MAKING LEFT TURNS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC - I HAVE LOST POWER ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT THANKFULLY THE OTHERS DRIVERS WERE AWARE ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE COLLISION. BECAUSE OF THIS I ALWAYS TURNED OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL FOR ALL DRIVING TRIPS. I FOUND ONLINE SIMILAR REPORTS OF OTHER 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #11110292

71,350 miles · Jun 30, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND I TOOK A TURN ONTO A DIFFERENT RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND RIGHT AFTER I STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RIGHT AFTER, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND WHEN I STARTED TO STOP THE BRAKES LOCKED ON AND OFF AS I C…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND I TOOK A TURN ONTO A DIFFERENT RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND RIGHT AFTER I STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RIGHT AFTER, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND WHEN I STARTED TO STOP THE BRAKES LOCKED ON AND OFF AS I CAME TO A STOP. IT CONTINUED TO SPUTTER EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO LOCK EVERY TIME I HAD TO ENGAGE THEM. I COULD BARELY GET THE CAR TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 25 MPH. ONCE I GOT HOME I POPPED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE SHAKING.

NHTSA ODI #11104911

75,450 miles · Jun 8, 2018
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11100480

10,000 miles · Jun 5, 2018
Wheels

ALL 4 AND 1 REPLACEMENT TIRE OR THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES FAILED DUE TO BELT SEPERATION FROM THE TREAD. ONE WAS A MAJOR FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND L HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY EXIT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND GET IT REPLACED WHILE ON A TRIP AWAY FROM HOME. ALL TIRES FAILED BEFORE RHE 30,000 MILE RATING.…

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ALL 4 AND 1 REPLACEMENT TIRE OR THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES FAILED DUE TO BELT SEPERATION FROM THE TREAD. ONE WAS A MAJOR FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND L HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY EXIT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND GET IT REPLACED WHILE ON A TRIP AWAY FROM HOME. ALL TIRES FAILED BEFORE RHE 30,000 MILE RATING. RHE FIRST ONE FAILED BEFORE 10,000 MILES. PURXHASED CAR FROM REDRIVER CHEVROLET SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER CITY, LA.

NHTSA ODI #11099894

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.