2012 Chevrolet Impala Other / unspecified Problems

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

The front wheel hub assembly fails after numerous replacements. The after-market parts do not resolve the problem. Thw assembly girnds and hesitates on right turns during acceleration. This causes hesitation and an unsafe manner when making turns, suddenly, or moving away from emergency vehicles. This is a flaw in the manufacturer with the wheel hub that must be addressed. Thousands of dollars in repairs. Safety is at risk when the vehicle hesitates on turns with oncoming traffic. The Dealer has inspected the part and several auto mechanics. The constant warning light in every case is the 'traction control' orange icon blinks when wheel grinds and hesitates. This will cause wear and tear to the sensor causing the ABS LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK. Service documents attached from 3 mechanics and 5 warranty replacements in 2 years.

NHTSA ID

11444926

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

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 ID

11402608

Incident

Mar 12, 2021

Mileage

162,500 mi

THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY IS CONTINUOUSLY DEFECTING. INHAVE REPLACED BOTH SIDES A MINIMUM OF 6 TIMES SINCE 2013. THE STEERING GOES OUT, THE BRAKES GRIND THE TRACTION CONTROL INITIATES AND IN SEVERE TIMES I LOOSE ALL POWER TO VEHICLE. THIS IS IN MOTION. FROM COMPLETE STOP TO MOTION, WHILE IN REVERSE AND WHILE TURNING IN IETHER DIRECTION.

NHTSA ID

11257859

Incident

Sep 17, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS! IVE REPORTED SOME OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURES THAT PUT ME IN DANGER BUT NOT ALL AND THEY STILL HAVE YET TO STOP HAPPENING. IVE SPENT OVER 10K REPAIRING AND REPLACING STEERING, SUSPENSION DRIVE TRAIN/ DRIVE AXLE AND CHASSIS COMPONENTS. BUT NOTHING HAS HELPED. AS OF LATE I KEEP GETTING ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACED 2 TIE RODS STRUTS CONTROL ARMS AND WHEEL HUB AND BEARINGS ONLY TO HAVE MY TIRES WEAR DOWN UNEVENLY AND QUICKLY IN 2 WEEKS. I PURCHASED THE TIRES BRAND NEW 6 MONTHS AGO. WITH A NEW WHEELS AND FRONT OUTTER TIE RODS AS WELL (WHICH I AGAIN REPLACED 2 WEEKS AGO). ALSO REPLACED IN 2019; FRONT AND BACK BRAKE ASSEMBLY (SHOES, PADS, ROTORS) FRONT AND BACK (BOTH SIDES) CONTROL ARMS, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY. NEW CV AXLE AND FRONT HUB BEARINGS FULL ASSEMBLY LEFT AND RIGHT (2 WEEKS AGO)ADDITIONAL LEFT FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY (2 WEEKS AGO). THIS LIST IS JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE REPAIRS; TOO MANY. YET, THE CAR KEEPS LOOSING STEERING AND FALLING APART QUICKER EVERY DAY. PLUS, THE INSPECTION EXPIRES NEXT MONTH AND IT DID NOT PASS DUE TO EMMISSIONS SYSTEM ISSUES. IT IS A 2012 & SHOULD NOT BE PROBLEMATIC YET. I ONLY KEEP REPAIRING IT BECAUSE I AM STILL FINANCING SINCE BEING RIPPED OFF BY DEALERSHIP AT 23% APR ON TOP OF OVERCHARGED 2XS BLUE BOOK. WHICH HAS ME FAR TOO UPSIDE DOWN TO TRADE IN OR EVEN SELL PRIVATELY. I WOULDN'T SELL IT TO MY WORSE ENEMY ANYWAY. CHEVROLET SHOULD HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THEIR FAILURE. HARD WORKING PEOPLE PUT TRUST IN MANUFACTURERS AND DEPEND ON THEIR CARS. I MAY LOSE EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF MINE BUT NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT AND LEGAL COUNSEL. MY NEXT STEP IS TO CONTACT A CLASS ACTION LAW FIRM TO PROCURE COUNSEL FOR THESE MATTERS. GMC, THE NHTSA, AND AUTO REPAIR BUSINESSES (IE. FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE) WILL BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE ISSUE AS WELL. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11255678

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

111,051 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS! IVE REPORTED SOME OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURES THAT PUT ME IN DANGER BUT NOT ALL AND THEY STILL HAVE YET TO STOP HAPPENING. IVE SPENT OVER 10K REPAIRING AND REPLACING STEERING, SUSPENSION DRIVE TRAIN/ DRIVE AXLE AND CHASSIS COMPONENTS. BUT NOTHING HAS HELPED. AS OF LATE I KEEP GETTING ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACED 2 TIE RODS STRUTS CONTROL ARMS AND WHEEL HUB AND BEARINGS ONLY TO HAVE MY TIRES WEAR DOWN UNEVENLY AND QUICKLY IN 2 WEEKS. I PURCHASED THE TIRES BRAND NEW 6 MONTHS AGO. WITH A NEW WHEELS AND FRONT OUTTER TIE RODS AS WELL (WHICH I AGAIN REPLACED 2 WEEKS AGO). ALSO REPLACED IN 2019; FRONT AND BACK BRAKE ASSEMBLY (SHOES, PADS, ROTORS) FRONT AND BACK (BOTH SIDES) CONTROL ARMS, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY. NEW CV AXLE AND FRONT HUB BEARINGS FULL ASSEMBLY LEFT AND RIGHT (2 WEEKS AGO)ADDITIONAL LEFT FRONT STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY (2 WEEKS AGO). THIS LIST IS JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE REPAIRS; TOO MANY. YET, THE CAR KEEPS LOOSING STEERING AND FALLING APART QUICKER EVERY DAY. PLUS, THE INSPECTION EXPIRES NEXT MONTH AND IT DID NOT PASS DUE TO EMMISSIONS SYSTEM ISSUES. IT IS A 2012 & SHOULD NOT BE PROBLEMATIC YET. I ONLY KEEP REPAIRING IT BECAUSE I AM STILL FINANCING SINCE BEING RIPPED OFF BY DEALERSHIP AT 23% APR ON TOP OF OVERCHARGED 2XS BLUE BOOK. WHICH HAS ME FAR TOO UPSIDE DOWN TO TRADE IN OR EVEN SELL PRIVATELY. I WOULDN'T SELL IT TO MY WORSE ENEMY ANYWAY. CHEVROLET SHOULD HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THEIR FAILURE. HARD WORKING PEOPLE PUT TRUST IN MANUFACTURERS AND DEPEND ON THEIR CARS. I MAY LOSE EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF MINE BUT NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT AND LEGAL COUNSEL. MY NEXT STEP IS TO CONTACT A CLASS ACTION LAW FIRM TO PROCURE COUNSEL FOR THESE MATTERS. GMC, THE NHTSA, AND AUTO REPAIR BUSINESSES (IE. FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE) WILL BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE ISSUE AS WELL. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11255661

Incident

Sep 12, 2019

Mileage

111,051 mi

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 ID

11166797

Incident

Jan 12, 2019

Mileage

94,000 mi

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 ID

11132050

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

Mileage

73,000 mi

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 ID

11099894

Incident

Feb 15, 2012

Mileage

10,000 mi

MY CHEVROLET IMPALA WAS IN MOTION WHEN MY ABS AND TRAC SENSOR KEEPS COMING ON. NOW IT'S HAPPENING EVERYTIME I DRIVE. IT ALMOST LOCKS ON ME WHEN I'M DRIVING AND IT SCARES ME FOR MY SAFETY OF MY KIDS AND MYSELF IN THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED UP TO TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINS FOR THAT 2012 MODEL. MY LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF (TRAC SENSOR AND ABS) AND IT MAKES A WEIRD NOISE

NHTSA ID

11093432

Incident

Nov 13, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

70,000 MILES, STABILTRAK WARNING ON STARTUP AND ENGINE POWER LOSS. ERROR MESSAGE WAS ABOUT A SENSOR, REPLACED THE HUB AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO FIX. SO FAR NO MORE PROBLEMS BUT I'VE SEEN THIS ISSUE COUNTLESS TIMES AND I'M SURPRISED THERE WASN'T A RECALL YET.

NHTSA ID

11063883

Incident

Jan 20, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

ABS LIGHT COMES ON STABILTRAC LIGHT COMES ON BRAKES PULSE AND GRIND ON OCCASION DON'T WANT TO STOP AT TIMES LIKE YOUR ON ICE

NHTSA ID

10897321

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, ESPECIALLY A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SEEMED LIKE IT WAS SLIDING. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,823.

NHTSA ID

10875292

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

78,823 mi

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AFTER APPLYING BRAKES MADE AWFUL NOISE AND I REAR ENDED A CAR. IT WAS CLEAR, DRY AND SUNNY AT THE TIME AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. I BELIEVE THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR HAS NOW STARTED COMING ON SINCE THE CAR ACCIDENT. THE DEALER THAT THE BODY SHOP TOOK THE CAR TO AFTER IT FIXED THE FRONT BUMPER SAID IT'S NOT THE TIRE SENSOR THAT'S BAD.

NHTSA ID

10873680

Incident

Apr 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FROM A LOW SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL, AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE SENSORS WERE FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHAT SPECIFIC PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ID

10861547

Incident

Apr 20, 2016

Mileage

26,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10850781

Incident

Mar 2, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE TIRES CONTINUALLY LOOSE AIR. THE DEALER WAY BACK WHEN SAID TIRES WERE MY EXPENSE. TOOK IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE AND THEY SAID THE RIMS ARE NOT SMOOTH ENOUGH FOR A TIGHT SEAL. I NEED TO ADD AIR EVERY 2 WEEKS WITHOUT FAIL. NOW I'M PAST THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

10794056

Incident

May 15, 2012

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK BRAKES WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED RANDOMLY. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EACH TIME THE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ

NHTSA ID

10790689

Incident

Nov 8, 2015

Mileage

42,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL MADE A THUD SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE SPARE TIRE SCREWS INSIDE THE TRUNK WERE TIGHTENED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AGAIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID

10627474

Incident

Dec 12, 2012

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING THERE WOULD BE AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIDER GEAR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID

10596417

Incident

Sep 19, 2013

Mileage

20,000 mi

THE FIRST TIME WAS IN DEC. 2013. EVERYTIME I BACKED UP I HEARD A CLUNK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BAD RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB. I WAS IN LUCK BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY MINUS THE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THE CAR ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE SECOND TIME WAS TODAY,3/14/2014. I WENT IN FOR A STATE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT FRONT HUB WAS BAD. THE WARRANTY COVERED IT AGAIN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 42,190 ON IT. ONLY 2000 MILES BETWEEN OCCURRENCES. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE. ALSO I WAS JUST TOLD OF A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. DOES THIS INCLUDE MY 2012 IMPALA? *TR

NHTSA ID

10569460

Incident

Dec 11, 2013

Mileage

40,000 mi

I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES AT HOME. WHEN REPLACING THE WHEELS I STARTED AND SNAGGED THE LUG NUTS BY HAND. I WENT TO TORQUE THE LUG NUTS TO SPECIFICATIONS (100 FOOT POUNDS) USING A TORQUE WRENCH. ONE OF THE RIGHT FRONT LUG NUTS WOULD NOT STOP TURNING WAY BEFORE REACHING THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WRENCH, THE STUD SNAPPED OFF. ONE OF THE LUGS/STUDS NEXT TO IT ALSO FELT SUSPICIOUS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD ALL STUDS AND LUGS REPLACED ON THAT WHEEL AS I AM AFRAID THERE MAY BE A BAD BATCH OF STUDS. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN SAVED IF NEEDED FOR TESTING. I WAS A MECHANIC IN THE 1960'S AND HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK ON MY OWN AND FAMILY VEHICLES SINCE THEN. I CAN NOT RECALL EVER SNAPPING A STUD BEFORE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10461854

Incident

Jun 9, 2012

Mileage

8,486 mi