RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Impala

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
258
Latest Mar 9, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jun 23, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
25
16 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 258 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and steering categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,471 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V355000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Jun 23, 2014
3,141,731 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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 LLCManufacturer number 14299View on NHTSA.gov
12V377000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Aug 3, 2012
36,413 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS LLCManufacturer number 12104View on NHTSA.gov
11V398000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Aug 5, 2011
10,344 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS LLCManufacturer number 11224View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 258
Filed Mar 9, 2026

To be able to afford repairs and return it to release date price close to around 27,000 to 28,000 tire got needed air awhile and radiator and the reservoir or holder got replaced still not knowing how to repair the rest with getting the money to for safety standards or requirements wondering if program help getting it repaired and or a new vehicle same company or model not trying to have it be

NHTSA ID
11722869
Incident
Mar 1, 2025
Steering
Filed Feb 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 201,000.

NHTSA ID
11717100
Incident
Feb 10, 2026
Mileage
201,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 23, 2025

I have about 08/1825 had the throttle body replaced on my vehicle which assisted with the problem temporarily. Then the problem started again 09/20/25 the car act like it’s stalling while driving and can’t see what hear the vehicle is in. The car is not getting any signal to the engine as I have been advised the TCM is faulty. There was a code of U0101.

NHTSA ID
11689100
Incident
Sep 20, 2025
Filed Dec 1, 2024

Stability traction control I have had to fix it 3 times once was ball bearing and the other was a wire harness and it has to go in shop again for stability traction issues again also the door blending parts keep failing in my car I have had 3 replaced

NHTSA ID
11628167
Incident
Jul 21, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed May 10, 2024

I have trouble codes that occasionally come up even after vehicle has been serviced. The vehicle used to drive fine. Now it started miss firing. I was told the problem was coming from the engine compartment/sensors. An OBDII diagnosis detects a problem with B Camshaft Position Timing Over Advanced or System Performance Bank 2 (p0024). I fear that without the fix, the miss firing can cause an accident. The engine light is illuminated when this happens.

NHTSA ID
11588160
Incident
May 10, 2024
Body & structureElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 27, 2024

The actuators in the air vents are faulty and I've had to have them repla ed multiple times now. They still continue to make clicking noise sounds and blow cold air in winter/hot air in summer. The trunk deck lid paint is bad. The clear coat has been coming off. Paint all over the car's clear coat has been coming off. There is also some spots where it's down to the metal showing rust/corrosion. Finally, and most seriously, is the car's Traction Control System. It goes off constantly and without warning! It's been doing this randomly, in all types of weather conditions, for some time now. It goes off under normal driving conditions. I barely pull out of a parking space, or make a slow turn, or pull out of a parking lot at a very slow speed and it just goes off. The really dangerous part is that it stalls the car almost to a complete stop, when I've been making a turn well before oncoming traffic, and it stalls almost causing an accident on several occasions now. Most of the incidents are on sunny days where there's no inclement weather! This system is not safe and is unreliable. I've checked many public forums, like Reddit, and there are many other Chevy Impala owners who complain of the same exact problem. Yet Chevy has issued No recalls!? The only recall I've seen close to this is for 2011 year models. Although my car is a 2012, 2011 parts likely were used. If the recall affects 2011 Impalas, then any model that used 2011 parts should be included in this recall. I cannot trust the safety of my car's Traction Control System anymore as it comes on without warning, under no circumstances where it would need to come on. People are in danger with this defect! The car cosmetically, specifically the paint job and the flimsy actuators, are also defective. I've always taken excellent care of my vehicle, regularly having maintenance done at my local Chevy Dealership. Another defect that Chevy had to fix was my fuel pump that went out for no reason! I have receipt for this.

NHTSA ID
11568249
Incident
Jan 8, 2024
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he became aware of condensation under the vehicle. The oil pressure light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake hose needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V398000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

NHTSA ID
11552571
Incident
Oct 28, 2023
Mileage
127,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 1, 2023

Stability control light comes on which puts the engine in restricted power ABS and brake light comes on front driver side brake continuously holds on when trying to accelerate

NHTSA ID
11529882
Incident
Jun 26, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT6247B

This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police and Special Service Vehicles.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIP4902U

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5214G

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Impala by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020150049.1
2019281052.7
2018591045.3
20171160039.1
20161110041.3
20152993050.3
201463112257.3
20132701038.4
2012Viewing2583051.6
20115052045.1
20104414048.6
20098245050.4
20088102151.8
20076273051.8
20065242156.2
20056094051.9
20041,0727052.8
20036948157.9
20027957260.4
200174210262.8
200081810263.4
1999400—
1998200—
1997100—
1996881244.9
1995441143.5
1994151142.6
1993210—
1992010—
1991010—
1987100—
1985111—
1984001—
1983320—
1982230—
1981220—
1980030—
1979230—
1978030—
1977131—
1976010—
1974030—
1973010—
1972020—
1971040—
1969240—
1968020—
1967220—
1966320—
1965030—
1963100—
1958100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.