2012 Chevrolet Impala Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 9, 2026 · 258 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Impala years
Fewer complaints than other years 16th of 26 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala. That ranks 16th out of 26 Impala model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (58 complaints, 22%), typically at around 55,000 miles. Complaints mention 20 crashes, 5 fires, 16 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala (2014–2020) in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2012 Chevrolet Impala problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System58 · ~55,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)54 · ~72,000 mi
Steering49 · ~57,500 mi
Engine40 · ~40,000 mi
Service Brakes32 · ~51,564 mi
Power Train27 · ~32,000 mi
Unknown or Other23 · ~60,000 mi
Suspension22 · ~70,000 mi
Air Bags20 · ~42,447 mi
Wheels19 · ~66,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems5822%55,000“traction control” (19%)—
Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems5421%72,000“traction control” (46%)—
Steering4919%57,500——
Engine4016%40,000——
Service Brakes3212%51,564——
Power Train2710%32,000——
Unknown or Other239%60,000——
Suspension229%70,000——
Air Bags208%42,447——
Wheels197%66,500——
Fuel/propulsion System177%50,400——
Vehicle Speed Control156%66,000——
Seat Belts93%38,520——
Exterior Lighting83%60,300——
Structure83%26,700——
Traction Control System42%60,412——
Visibility/wiper42%7,180——
Engine and Engine Cooling31%25,300——
Tires31%10,756——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21%39,537——
Fuel System, Gasoline10%———
Seats10%148,201——
Visibility10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 51 complaints
2011: 1201112012: 11112013: 202013202014: 51512015: 252015252016: 33332017: 252017252018: 30302019: 262019262020: 11112021: 8202182022: 442023: 7202372024: 332025: 1202512026: 22

n = 258 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2012 Chevrolet Impala recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:ignitionJun 23, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 vehicles

Problem: 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 armAug 3, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V377000 · 36,413 vehicles

Problem: 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 connectionsAug 5, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V398000 · 10,344 vehicles

Problem: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Unknown or Other · received Mar 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11722869

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…

Steering · received Feb 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11717100

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…

Engine · received Sep 23, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11689100

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

Unknown or Other · received Dec 1, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11628167

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…

Engine · received May 10, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11588160

Other Chevrolet Impala years

← 2011 Impala · 2013 Impala →

See all Chevrolet Impala problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?

Owners most often report electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), steering problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 58 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2012 Chevrolet Impala a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Impala model years, the 2012 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.