What 258 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala

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

NHTSA ODI 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 vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 201,000.

NHTSA ODI 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 have been advised the TCM is faulty. There was a code of U0101.

NHTSA ODI 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

NHTSA ODI 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 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.

NHTSA ODI 11588160

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 ODI 11568249

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.

NHTSA ODI 11552571

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

NHTSA ODI 11529881

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 ODI 11529882

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.

NHTSA ODI 11524232

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, while driving in the rain, the steering wheel seized. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the key failed to release from the ignition. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not provided.

NHTSA ODI 11522595

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

NHTSA ODI 11517311

The stability track light is on and abs. The sensor in the hubs go out even in New hubs. When I'm pulling out onto the road the traction light comes on an makes a grinding noise and the power goes down .I was told it was the stability track chain and the sensor in my right hub.

NHTSA ODI 11501170

I purchased the vehicle used. Four months after I purchased it the traction control, stabilitrak and reduced engine power light came on. I took it to a certified mechanic, he said the code came back as a faulty battery. He replaced the battery and said everything should be fine. Less than 4 hours the car did the same thing. I took it back and he said it was the throttle so he cleaned it costing me a total of approximately 350.00. I didn’t have any problems for 2 months. Now it seems to be getting worse and does it almost every time I start the car. The car idles rough and shifts hard if I drive it. Also the traction control light comes on when I turn left and makes a grinding noise. Since the issue I’ve researched and found several complaints regarding the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11493606

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 gas tank sparys back at up if you don't let it sit open for a little bit. I have had these issues fixed multiple times and by multiple mechanics who still can't figure out what's going on.

NHTSA ODI 11459774

When making left turns the car will make a loud grinding noise and will stop momentarily; it says it is due to the traction control on the dash. It is extremely unsafe when making a turn while a car is coming and there's nothing you can do. Also while making left hand turns the wheel will sometimes lock and you can't manually move the steering wheel. You have to turn off the car and wait sometimes 10+ minutes then the wheel will unlock. Now when I go to start my car it starts shaking and making a loud noise and rev low. After about 1 minute it will completely turn off and it will say service Stabilitrak and service traction control.

NHTSA ODI 11451249

Both front seat belts sometimes do not click when buckling up. Sometimes you have to reinsert the metal end into the buckle several times to get it to "click". If it doesn't click you can pull on the strap and it will come out causing a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11445839

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 ODI 11444926

Passenger dim headlight keeps going out causing a unsafe issue. The plug gets hot and is damaged.A service bulletin was put out on this issue in 2014 so gm has known that this was a problem for a long time. I read several complaints on this issue and can't understand why a recall has not been issued unless gm thinks that it is safe to drive with one headlight. I know from experience that our state police department doesn't think that it is since I just got a warning because my headlight was out again.

NHTSA ODI 11443397

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 payment down. After one thing gets fixed, another thing happens. The suspension is getting bad and has been like that since my fiance and i got the car. The dealership said everything was new and fixed. We had 2 kids in the car and their safety was put at risk as well as others that got in the car. The car is getting to be a death trap for me. the warning lights that were coming on were Service Stabilitrak, Service Brake Assist, Service Trac Control and Service Brake System. These were coming on after I had the car in the shop for the transmission issue. Those lights are now not coming on. My fiance and I were told by the dealership that the brakes were new, nothing mechanically wrong with the car and drives smoothly, this was said before we took the car for a test drive. We were there to buy a car but after we signed the papers, we were told it was a lease.

NHTSA ODI 11442031

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that two days after purchasing the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the sounds were coming from the heater actuator and it could lead to an air conditioner failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided since the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11427476

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 INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ODI 11408401

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 ODI 11402608

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CURB. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED KOONS WHITE MARSH CHEVROLET (10207 PHILADELPHIA RD, WHITE MARSH, MD 21162; (410) 931-8600) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V398000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI 11390971

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PINS ON WIPER ARMS TWICE IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE WIPER ARMS?

NHTSA ODI 11389912