Home · 2012 Chevrolet Impala · Complaints

What 258 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (258)Crash / fire / injury (27)Electrical system (58)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (54)Steering (49)Engine (40)Brakes (33)Transmission & drivetrain (27)Suspension (22)Airbags (20)Wheels (19)Fuel system (18)

49 of 258 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 2 of 2

Jul 15, 2016SteeringSuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

EVERY TIME I TURN WARNING LIGHTS FOR MY STABLIZING SYSTEM AND ABS THEN THE BRAKES STARTS TO LOCK UP SOMETIMES WITH IT ALSO TRACTION CONTROL ALSO TURN ON AND OFF THIS IS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DEALERS NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM THIS IS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND DRIVE ON THE STREETS OR ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 10885143

Mar 16, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10849971

Aug 19, 2015SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

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

Aug 6, 2015Steering

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

Jun 22, 2015SteeringBrakesEngine

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

Apr 26, 2015Steering

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

Jan 11, 2015SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

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

Dec 31, 2014Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING T 25 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10669276

Sep 23, 2014Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE REVERSING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10638426

Sep 19, 2014SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WAS THE ONLY KEY IN THE IGNITION AREA AND NO ADDITIONAL KEYS OR WEIGHT WERE ADDED. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND BECAME DISABLED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE GUARD RAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING AND EXTENSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 10637560

Aug 19, 2014SteeringElectrical systemSpeed controlEngineCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 10626467

Aug 8, 2014SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

REPLACED FRONT WHEEL DRIVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND RIGHT SIDE TRANSAXLE SEAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10621022

Aug 1, 2014Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULTY TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS LOOSE AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 12/3/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10618223

Jul 25, 2014Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MATERIAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE METAL INTERIOR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ UPDATED 01/13/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10616358

Jul 3, 2014Steering

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,341.

NHTSA ODI 10608057

May 14, 2014SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

FRONT WHEEL HUB AND CV AXLE NUT LOOSE. REPLACED FRONT WHEEL HUB PART # 88964168, HUB 6.307 QY* CPOBK. TORQUED RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB AND CV AXLE NUT TO SPECIFICATIONS. GMC FACTORY ERROR IN QUALITY CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10588296

Mar 30, 2014SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE MY DASHBOARD WENT COMPLETELY BLACK,THE RADIO WENT OFF AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN.I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO SIDEWALK THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE THE KEYS WERE IN IGNITION. I TURNED THE KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR IT MADE A TERRIBLE BANGING CLUNKING NOISE.I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM WAITED 15 MINUTES LATER THE CAR STARTED.THS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS I COULD HAVE CAUSED ARE BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. I'M VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. I TOOK THE CAR IN LATER TO DEALER THEY KEPT IT UNTIL FRIDAY PROVIDED ME A LOANER THEY CLAIMED THEY DROVE IT AND IT DIDN'T ACT UP. BUT ITS NOT LIKE THEY DROVE IT ALL DAY I'M EXTREMELY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED IN THIS MATTER. I FEEL THEY DISCOUNTED WHAT I SAID.THIS COULD OCCUR WHILE A TEENAGER ARE ELDERLY PERSON IS DRIVING. PLEASE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10575710

Oct 30, 2013SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

IM GOING DOWN THE ROAD MASH ON THE GAS DOING 38 AND THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF CONTROL. I LITERALLY HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. IM DOING 45 TO 50 AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING ME RIGHT INTO THE SHOULDER OR INTO OTHER TRAFFIC I HAD TO LAY OFF THE GAS TO GAIN CONTROL OF CAR DOING SUCH LOW SPEED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. AND WAS BLOWN AWAY.HOW THE SUSPENSION AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS NOT IN MY HAND NO MORE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT ON ONLINE. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS ITS THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE CAR THAT MESSING UP THE WHOLE CAR.AND IF THERE IS POLICE FLEET OF THESE IMPALAS AND THEY USING THESE IN POLICE CHASES. THE CHASES COULD TURN UGLY. I DROVE AND BUNCH OF POLICE FLEET VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD ONE WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE CONTROL OF IT GETTING INTO HIGH SPEEDS. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THESE IS THAT IMPALA HAS FWD WITH 308 HP ALL UP FRONT WHAT WAS THEY THINKING. IT'LL BE GOOD FRO A DRAG CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. START FROM A STAND STILL AND TRY TO GET UP SPEED FAST. DOING IT WITHOUT CRASHING OR MERGING INTO ANOTHER LANE IS IMPOSSIBLE. GET IN A 2012 CHEVY IMPALA LT WITH 308 HP THEN YOU WILL SEE THE PROBLEM. ALSO EXISTS ON SS MODELS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10550290

Sep 26, 2013SteeringFire

MY VEHICLE'S STEERING WENT OUT OF NO WHERE AS I WAS PULLING INTO A STORE. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS, AND VERY THICK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO STOP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND WAS OVERCOME BY SMOKE. I ENDED UP RESORTING TO CALLING A TOW TRUCK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT 3 MONTHS PRIOR. THE CURRENT ISSUE THE DEALER SAID I HAD, WAS THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS EMITTING HEAT AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD BURNED AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. I TOW THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THAT ORIGINALLY REPAIRED IT. THEY CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE IN THE 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. ON 8/11 A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THIS WAS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE BEING ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE HEAT WAS BURNING THE HOSES. THIS WAS CAUSING ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 2 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2013 WITH 29K MILES. IT NOW HAS 33K MILES AND THE DIAGNOSIS GIVEN BY THE DEALER IS IDENTICAL TO THE DIAGNOSIS FOR THE RECALL. BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WILL NOT BE FIXED AS IT DID NOT FALL UNDER RECALL AND ARE BLAMING THE REPAIR DONE BY THE COLLISION CENTER. I BELIEVE THEY CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ARE PUTTING PEOPLE AT A CONTINUED RISK OF HAVING A FIRE START IN THEIR VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10545475

Jun 26, 2013Steering

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE CHANGING LANES. I TOOK THE OFF-RAMP FROM HWY 515 TO 215 AND HAD TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD TO NEGOTIATE THE RAMP CURVE. I MADE IT HOME AND CALLED CHEVY ON MONDAY. THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP BUT ONCE IT ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THE STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10521908

Jun 24, 2013SteeringElectrical systemEngine

PURCHASED A GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE. VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHENEVER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD DIE COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. ONE INSTANCE WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, THE IGNITION ACTED "STUCK." I ONLY TURNED THE IGNITION ONCE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO CRANK OVER TO RESTART THE CAR ON ITS OWN. THE LAST COUPLE OF INSTANCES WHEN TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT DIED, EVEN WHEN NOT MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. IT WOULD DIE PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MAIN MOTORS (A GM DEALERSHIP) TO HAVE IT FIXED. THEY SAID THE WIRES WERE WORN THROUGH IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT RUN TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THEY STATED THEY REROUTED THE WIRES. MY BILL WAS ONLY FOR LABOR, NO REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. I ASKED GM TO COVER THIS. THE SERVICE ADVISER TOLD THE FIRST AGENT AT GM THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE WIRE HARNESS. THEN THE CASE WAS DIRECTED TO A "DISTRICT SPECIALIST." THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST STATED THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MAIN MOTORS RETRACTED THE STATEMENT THAT IT WAS A DEFECT AND STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO BE WORN THROUGH. NOT A SAFE DESIGN FOR AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO NOT LAST PAST 55000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10521550

May 28, 2013Steering

I RECENTLY READ THAT GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A RECALL AUGUST 3, 2012 FOR 2008 - 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALAS CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. RECALL # 12V377000 CONCERNS THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE RECALL MAY FRACTURE. A FRACTURED LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS RECALL, ACCORDING TO GM, ONLY APPLIES TO POLICE VEHICLES. I AM WRITING THIS MESSAGE TO YOU TO ASK WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE POLICE VEHICLES FROM THE NON POLICE VEHICLES WHICH WOULD EXCLUDE THE NON POLICE VEHICLES FROM THE RECALL. IS THIS THE SAME TYPE OF SITUATION AS THE GM RECALL REGARDING 2007 - 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE SPINDLES IN WHEELS WHICH GM IS TRYING TO LIMIT TO POLICE VEHICLES ONLY BUT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO APPLY TO ALL CHEVROLET IMPALAS? THANKS, *TR

NHTSA ODI 10513910

Nov 13, 2012SteeringCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN THUMB AND A HEAD CONCUSSION. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 33,500.

NHTSA ODI 10484464

Jun 15, 2012SteeringWheels

I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES AT HOME. WHEN REPLACING THE WHEELS I STARTED AND SNAGGED THE LUG NUTS BY HAND. I WENT TO TORQUE THE LUG NUTS TO SPECIFICATIONS (100 FOOT POUNDS) USING A TORQUE WRENCH. ONE OF THE RIGHT FRONT LUG NUTS WOULD NOT STOP TURNING WAY BEFORE REACHING THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WRENCH, THE STUD SNAPPED OFF. ONE OF THE LUGS/STUDS NEXT TO IT ALSO FELT SUSPICIOUS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD ALL STUDS AND LUGS REPLACED ON THAT WHEEL AS I AM AFRAID THERE MAY BE A BAD BATCH OF STUDS. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN SAVED IF NEEDED FOR TESTING. I WAS A MECHANIC IN THE 1960'S AND HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK ON MY OWN AND FAMILY VEHICLES SINCE THEN. I CAN NOT RECALL EVER SNAPPING A STUD BEFORE. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10461854

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Working with the data? Download all 258 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Chevrolet Impala verdict →