VehicleVerdict

2012 Chevrolet Impala problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 422 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 93.8 times the median Impala year — the 2012 model ranks #16 of 52 Impala years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 29 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 116 reports (28% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

422

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

40

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

29

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Impala years?

See all Impala years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Impala problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System11627%
Steering5012%
Engine4310%
Brakes348%
Transmission276%
Suspension235%
Other235%
Tires & Wheels225%
Airbags205%
Fuel System184%
Speed Control154%
Seat Belts92%
Body & Structure82%
Lighting82%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Seats10%

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

12V377000SuspensionAugust 3, 2012 · 36,413 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

11V398000SteeringAugust 5, 2011 · 10,344 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AFTER APPLYING BRAKES MADE AWFUL NOISE AND I REAR ENDED A CAR. IT WAS CLEAR, DRY AND SUNNY AT THE TIME AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. I BELIEVE THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR HAS NOW STARTED COMING ON SINCE THE CAR ACCIDENT. THE DEALER THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 28, 2016 · crash

WHILE DRIVING AT NO MORE THAN 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE CONTROL ARM GAVE OUT AND IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. THEN IT HIT THE BARRIER WALL AND THE 2 TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BLEW ON CONTACT. TOWED TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THAT THE TIE RODS ALSO WENT OUT. THE BRAKES AND SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE NEW AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 12, 2019 · crash

I WAS STANDING IN TRAFFIC AND SMOKE START COMING INSIDE THE CAR FROM ENGINE AND THE ENGINE START ON FIRE THE CAR BURN FROM THE ENGINE OUT ??? AND I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS AND RECALLS ON THIS CAR MODEL ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAR MODEL AND YEAR HAVE FIRE HAZARD PROBLEMS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2016 · fire

ON JUNE 28,2014 WHILE DRIVING DOWN HOUSTON TX BELTWAY. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY CAR HIT A CEMENT GUARD RAIL AND BRAKES FAIL AS WELL AS NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 28, 2014 · crash

CAR WAS IN PARK AT A GAS STATION, IGNITION OFF, CAR NOT RUNNING. GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED "PARK". DRIVER WAS OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR ROLLED AWAY, CRASHING INTO PARKED VEHICLE AND RESULTING IN INJURY TO DRIVER. THIS WAS AN AVIS RENTAL CAR WITH 7,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 15, 2011 · crash

2012 Chevrolet Impala — common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 422 complaints put the 2012 model at #16 of 52 Impala years. It is one of the Impala years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Impala problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (116 complaints), steering (50 complaints), engine (43 complaints).

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Chevrolet Impala. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Impala years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Impala years to avoid are 2004, 2009, 2008, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2017, 1996, 2018, 1995, 2019. The cleanest record among Impala years belongs to 1992.

How safe is the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Chevrolet Impala earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.