What 258 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala Limited

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION, WHILE THERE THEY DISCOVERED OIL LEAKING FROM OIL PAN GASKET, THEY FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE EMISSION. I TOOK IT HOME AND WHEN I STARTED IT IT WAS ACCELERATED, I TOOK IT BACK AND DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS NOT PART OF THE WORK THEY DID. THEY CHARGED ME 428.00 TO REPAIR. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE THE CAR THE IDLE WAS AT 3 WHEN I STARTED IT, TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY CLAIM THEY RESET THE IDLE, BUT THE IDLE REMAINS AT 1.5 WHEN IM DRIVING, AND FEELS ACCELERATED. THIS ALL BEGAN WHEN THEY REPAIRED A PROBLEM UNDER GUARANTEE. CAR HAS 103,000.00 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 10817268

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN APRIL OF 2012. I REPORTED THE ISSUE IN JANUARY 2015. WHEN I START MY VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY FROM A COLD START, I PROCEED TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. AS I STOP THE VEHICLE, I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARD THE LEFT AS I PROCEED TO MOVE. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON A SECOND TIME BUT THE ABS LOCKS THE LEFT WHEEL (NO ABS LIGHT). I HEAR A METAL GRINDING FOR LESS THAN 3 SECONDS AND THEN IT RELEASES. IT HAPPENS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS BUT THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY ARE COMPLETELY CLUELESS ON HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE CHEVY IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WON'T ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE IT AFFECTS MILLIONS OF IMPALAS AND EVEN OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. (COST = MONEY/ LOSS OF PROFIT) I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED THERE IS A BULLETIN RELEASED ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE BUT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING IF CHEVY IS WAITING ON SOMEONE TO GET KILLED IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10808406

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, "SERVICE STABILIZER TRAC" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUSES TO THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,910.

NHTSA ODI 10808238

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WITNESSED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WAS DETACHING. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCK ASSEMBLIES AND WITNESSED THAT THEY WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,477. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10794690

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 ODI 10794056

CLUNKING SOUND FROM TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL...WHEN YOU PULL OUT FROM A STOP YOU GET A CLUCKING NOISE AND THE CAR CANNOT GO...SOMETHING IS GRABBED..PULLING ONTO A CITY STREET OR GOING IN REVERSE FROM DRIVEWAY..MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS.

NHTSA ODI 10794454

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 ODI 10790689

WHEN I START DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET EACH MORNING, I MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CAR MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, & ABS LIGHT ALL COME ON. THEY ALSO GO ON & OFF WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYMBOL WILL COME ON AND I WILL BE STUCK TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND A FEW TIMES DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY FASHION. I HAVE GONE ON CHEVY IMPALA FORUMS LOOKING FOR OTHER DRIVERS WHO MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ARE THERE ARE A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. IT STILL HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI 10788159

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND STALLED. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10787695

HAVE HAD 5 GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES THAT HAVE BROKEN BELTS IN THEM. WHEN I GOT THE CAR IT HAD EAGLE LS'S ON IT. THEY ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WERE REPLACED UNFORTUNATELY WITH THE SAME BRAND OF TIRE. NOW 1 OF THE NEW EAGLE LS HAS A BROKEN BELT IN IT AND IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE A BENT RIM. MY TIRE PLACE NOW IS TELLING ME THAT THE EAGLE LIS IS JUNK AND DOES NOT RECOMMEND THEM AGAIN. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE FLAW IN THEM. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OF KILLED WITH THE JUNK TIRES. GOODYEAR OFFERED NO REPLACEMENT DISCOUNTS OR HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM PER THE TIRE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 10787864

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 10782430

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED AND FUEL SPILLED OUT AS THE MPG MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,100.

NHTSA ODI 10750152

WHEN DRIVING AFTER EVERY ATTEMPT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN,MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, & ABS LIGHT ALL POP ON. SINCE THEN IT HAS WENT ON AND OFF FOR MANY DAYS UNTIL IT JUST FINALLY STAYED ON PERMANENTLY. ALSO MESSAGE: "STABILITRAK SERVICE AND TRACTION CONTROL , BRAKE ASSIST " FINALLY TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN CULVER CITY,CA IN MAY 2013 & WAS TOLD THEY TESTED THE FRONT ABS CONNECTOR AND TRACTION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODE ERRORS. RESET THE SENSORS ANYWAYS AND ADJUSTED THE TIMING. AS SOON AS I DROVE OUT THE DEALER,SAME ERROR MESSAGES AND LIGHTS RETURNED. TOOK CAR AGAIN TO SAME DEALER &WASTOLD "I MUST HAVE DROVE THROUGH WATER OR OILY SURFACE AND LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AFTER I DROVE 20 OR SO MILES".LIGHTS & ERRORS DID NOT GO AWAY.RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER AGAIN,THIS TIME AGAIN FOUND NO ERRORS BUT THEY PROCEED TO REPLACE THE TIRE SENSORS AND RESET THE SENSOR ID. LIGHTS&CODES WENT OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN RETURNED WITH A GRINDING NOISE WHEN LEFT TURN, LOOSE ENGINE POWER &STEERING POWER, LIGHT &CODES CONTINUE TO STAY ON,& STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN LEFT TURN. I HAVE BEEN AT A LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN WHEN THE CAR WILL STALL & NOT LET ME TAKE OFF.BRAKES APPEAR TO LOCK UP.JUST MISSED A FEW CAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALL. HAS LEFT ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT HEAD ON & WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND GOT STUCK ON THE TURN. CANNOT ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY FASHION IS A HUGE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE DEALER OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE HAD TIRE AND BRAKE EXPERT SHOPS LOOK AT THE PROBLEM A FEW TIMES. ALSO NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. FINALLY DECIDED TO JUST TRY &IGNORE IT BUT AFTER SO MANY CLOSE CALLS OF ACCIDENTS& ENDAGERING MY FAMILIES LIFE IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ME TO JUST DEAL WITH IT ANYMORE OR TO CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY TO TRY & FIND PROBLEM.FORUMS PROVE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10749861

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI 10746819

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES, SIZE: P225/55R17. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE WAS SEPARATING. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS 10,756.

NHTSA ODI 10733194

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL ON KALAMAZOOST IN LANSING MICH. MY POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. I PULLED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE CAR INTO A HEDGE OF BUSHED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT STOPPED BEFORE I HIT THEM.

NHTSA ODI 10726488

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH, THE CODES WERE RESET, AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,624. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10726641

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED PROVIDING COLD, DRY AIR FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THEN, THE COLD, DRY AIR RETURNED. THE AIRFLOW THROUGH THE VENTS NEVER DECREASED, ONLY THE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY IN THE CABIN CHANGED. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER OF 2014, APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 10722846

TRIM ON PASSENGER DOOR STARTED PEELING OFF CAR WAS NOT IT IN ANY WAY TRIM IS PUT ON WITH 2 PIECES OF WHAT LOOK LIKES DOUBLE SIDED TAPE VERY DISAPPOINTED AFTER SPENDING 18,000 DOLLARS

NHTSA ODI 10717450

DROVE FROM HOME, TO WORK, MAYBE 3 MILES. ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON DASH. SPEED LIMIT IS 35MPH. FOR PART OF THE DRIVE, AND 25MPH THE LAST PART. PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AS USUAL. STILL NO PROBLEM. SLOWED TO PARK. AS I TRIED TO TURN INTO THE PARKING SPOT FROM THE MAIN LANE, THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I WAS TURNING RIGHT, AND HAD TO FORCE THE WHEEL. I STOPPED AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE I HAD NOT STALLED, OR TO SEE IF ANYTHING ELSE WAS WRONG. I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. THEN I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON. I TRIED REVERSE. NONE OF THOSE THINGS MADE IT ANY BETTER. I INCHED THE CAR INTO THE PARKING SPOT AND CALLED MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BAIERL CHEVROLET IN WEXFORD, PA. THEY TELL ME IT WILL COST ME AT LEAST $1600 TO FIX.THEIR REPRESENTATIVE DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AS STEERING, HYDRAULIC, POWER ASSIST, ETC. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I SEEM TO HAVE. MOTORTRENDS AND CARCOMPLAINTS.COM HAVE DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM. IT IS NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 11V398000. THE DEALER I USE IS A CERTIFIED GM DEALER. WHY ARE THEY NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY IF IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT? THANK GOD THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT, AND NOT WHILE I WAS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, OR ANOTHER MEMBER OF MY FAMILY WAS DRIVING. WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU ARE TRAVELING 55MPH OR MORE AND YOUR STEERING JUST QUITS? NOW I HAVE TO RENT A CAR, AS THEY WOULD NOT EVEN OFFER A VEHICLE TO DRIVE OVER THE WEEKEND TO GET TO WORK AND SUCH. ANOTHER EXPENSE I DID NOT NEED. I AM NOT SURE I WANT TO HAVE THIS CAR FIXED, BUT I DO NEED A CAR TO DRIVE. DON'T TRUST THAT IT WILL BE SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712985

GM SERVICE BULLETIN ID: 3650687. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10706236

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI 10704978

CAR CUT OFFS WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. RPM ODOMETER STOPS WORKING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON REDUCE ENGINE POWER. STABILITY TRACK AND ABS STOP CAR FROM TURNING. GM DEALER SAID ITS BATTERY TERMINAL WIRES AND A NEW BATTERY CHANGED BOTH AND SAME ISSUE. FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR KEEPS GOING BAD REPLACED TWICE. CAR IS CHOKING ON TO MUCH FUEL ROTTEN EGGS SMELL COMING FROM EXHAUST. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE HAS CUT OFF ON ME IN TRAFFIC TO MANY TIMES NOW. ONCE AND IF PROBLEMS ARE EVER FOUND THEIR NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10702751

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10680671

ACCELERATOR RESPONSE TIME TAKES TOO LONG TO RE-ACCELERATE . AFTER LETTING OFF GAS THEN RE-APPLYING PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, RESPONSE TIME SHOULD BE 800 MILI SECONDS FOR AN ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR BUT , IT IS WAY LONGER AND MAKES CAR BACKFIRE AT TIMES IF I HOLD PEDAL AFTER THE LAG IN RESPONSE . THIS CAUSES CAR TO LUNGE AND COULD CAUSE ME TO GET REAR ENDED OR DAMAGE ENGINE. SECOND, RUBBING GRINDING NOISE (NOT LOUD) FROM RIGHT FRONT AND MORE NOTICEABLE WHILE TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH AROUND A LEFT BEND IN ROAD OR BY MOVING STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT ABOUT AN INCH WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN ROAD. DEALER CLAIMED NO PROBLEM FOUND ON EITHER ISSUE , ALTHOUGH THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A STRUT BEARING ON RIGHT FRONT. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A PREVIOUS ISSUE JUDGING BY THE WORN TIRE BEFORE I PURCHASED CAR. I FIGURED IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FIXED BECAUSE CAR DIDN'T PULL TO ONE SIDE AND DROVE STRAIGHT , BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE AND NOISE IS SLOWLY GETTING MORE NOTICEABLE UNLESS I'M JUST TUNED INTO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10671647