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2012 Chevrolet Impala problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Chevrolet Impala has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 258owner complaints
- 20crash reports
- 5fire reports
- 16injuries reported
258 complaints, against an average of 289 for the other 8 Chevrolet Impala model years.
Every Chevrolet Impala model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
The components named most often in the 258 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Chevrolet Impala owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 258 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Chevrolet Impala been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Electrical System: Ignition 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension: Front: Control Arm: Lower Arm 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.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist: Hose, Piping, And Connections 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.
Risk: POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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.
What do 2012 Chevrolet Impala owners report?
12 of the 258 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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
I put my car in reverse and the car turned off and have turn back on. When I try to start it, I don’t hear any fix or crank. Before this happened, my car was slow to change gear or it would will change so fast that my car will lose control and I did not feel safe at all.
Stabilizer makes loud noise I had it repaired before at southpointe chev.tulsa ok that bill was 700.00 dollars I'm having the same problem again can you pls help me
The car has been in the shop twice within 6 months having it. It was towed twice, once for transmission issues and having no power to it at all then it back in the shop for warning lights. I also had it in the shop for about an hour to have a new tire put on it after loosing air. It had to be towed back home for all the brakes being shot and I'm now having an issue with the rear left caliper having a slow leak, the rear left sway bar is also broken in half. The whole entire car has issues and the leasing company and dealership refuse to do anything to help along with not helping me get the…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK AND THE BRAKES TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO STREET SIGN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN…
TRACTION CONTROL AND STABLITRAK LIGHTS COME ON. GRINDING SOUND AND HESITATION BEFORE MOVING IN REVERSE, GOING STRAIGHT AND TURNING. THE HESTIATION KEEPS THE CAR FROM MOVING. CAN TURN OFF AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR A SHORT BIT OF TIME WITH THE BOTTOM ON THE DASH. AFTER A WHILE TURNING IT OFF DOESN'T HELP BECAUSE IT TURNS ITSELF BACK ON.
I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY IMPALA, THE TRACTION SERVICE CONTROL AND ABS/STABILITRACK KEEPS GIVING ME ISSUES. I HAVE A GRINDING NOISE, DECREASED POWER AND CAR WILL NEARLY STOP ON YOU FROM TIME TO TIME, PARTICULARLY WHEN TURNING. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, MORE THAN ONE, THEY KEEP TELLING ME THE HARNESS ATTACH TO MY TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM SNAPS. IVE HEARD MY MODEL HAS THIS ISSUE. I SEE NO RECALL FOR MY VIN, BUT I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES.
2012 Chevrolet Impala: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala; the most common categories were electrical system (58, 22.5%), electronic stability control (esc) (54, 20.9%), steering (49, 19%). There are 3 safety recalls. 20 complaints mention a crash, 5 mention a fire, 16 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
Across 258 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (22.5% of complaints), electronic stability control (esc) (20.9% of complaints), steering (19% of complaints), engine (15.5% of complaints), service brakes (12.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala; the most recent (campaign 14V355000, 2014-06-23) concerns Electrical System: Ignition. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
30 of the 258 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala (11.6%) describe ABS, traction or stability control warnings or faults. One owner wrote: "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 complaint 11529882, July 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Impala stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
26 of the 258 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala (10.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11689100, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
11 of the 258 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala (4.3%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "I have a 2012 impala that I have had since 2015 and a little while after I got it the engine light came on and it said it was the fuel pump control module requested Mil illumination and evaporated emissions systems leak detected (large leak) and at times the…" (NHTSA complaint 11459774, April 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Impala
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.