NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Chevrolet Impala has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 258 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Chevrolet Impala owner complaints

Owners have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, describing incidents dated October 14, 2011 to February 10, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 58 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 54 complaints
Steering 49 complaints
Engine 43 complaints
Service Brakes 33 complaints
Power Train 27 complaints

Of the 258 complaints on file, 20 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 258 complaints, owners report 16 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11722869 · Filed March 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…
ODI #11717100 · Filed February 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…
ODI #11689100 · Filed September 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…

Read all 258 complaints

Owner-reported

2012 Chevrolet Impala mileage at failure

203 of the 258 complaints on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Electrical System	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–80,000 miles	Based on 37 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–95,000 miles	Based on 49 complaints
Steering	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–95,000 miles	Based on 44 complaints
Engine	Median 35,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–85,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V355000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 3,141,731 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14299 · Owners notified September 23, 2014 · Vehicles built April 19, 2011 – June 15, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Lower Control Arms

NHTSA #12V377000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported August 3, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 36,413 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12104 · Owners notified August 21, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM's campaign number is 12104.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

POWER STEERING HOSE

NHTSA #11V398000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported August 5, 2011 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 10,344 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11224 · Owners notified September 5, 2011 · Vehicles built April 19, 2011 – July 29, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11224. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2012 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 2, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

258 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11722869

Incident: March 1, 2025 · Filed: March 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

Steering

ODI #11717100

Incident: February 10, 2026 · Filed: February 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.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11689100

Incident: September 20, 2025 · Filed: September 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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11628167

Incident: July 21, 2023 · Filed: December 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

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11588160

Incident: May 10, 2024 · 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.

Electrical System; Structure; Wheels

ODI #11568249

Incident: January 8, 2024 · Filed: January 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.

Steering

ODI #11552571

Incident: October 28, 2023 · Filed: October 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.

Power Train; Service Brakes

ODI #11529882

Incident: June 26, 2023 · Filed: July 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

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11529881

Incident: April 11, 2023 · Filed: July 1, 2023

Fuel pump replacement with Gm dealership parts provider now car engine doesn't shut off right after key is turned off and car doesn't want to talk gas when fueling then doesn't want to start after fueling

Electrical System; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11524232

Incident: May 21, 2023 · Filed: May 28, 2023

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.

Other Chevrolet Impala model years

Check your 2012 Chevrolet Impala VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Impala at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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