The Used Car Index

2012 Chevrolet Impala problems

NHTSA lists 258 complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, 20 of them mention a crash and 5 mention a fire. 12 complaints mention an injury, with 16 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-07.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as CHEVROLET IMPALA.

At a glance

Complaints
258
With crash
20
With fire
5
With injury (complaints)
12
Injuries
16
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
3,141,731
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
1,471

Complaints per 100k sold: 139.698. Units sold: 184,684; sales year: 2012; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5822.5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5420.9%
STEERING4919.0%
ENGINE4015.5%
SERVICE BRAKES3212.4%
POWER TRAIN2710.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER238.9%
SUSPENSION228.5%
AIR BAGS207.8%
WHEELS197.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM2
SUSPENSIONFRONT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY1
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
STEERINGHYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
loss of control6125.7%0.82
electrical electronic5824.5%0.77
mechanical failure3816.0%0.83
noise or comfort2811.8%0.84
restraint or airbag218.9%0.92
unclear145.9%0.69
visibility or lighting83.4%0.69
fire or overheating52.1%0.94
fluid or fuel leak20.8%0.85
structural or corrosion20.8%0.72
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate13557.0%0.82
low6728.3%0.72
high2611.0%0.85
none73.0%0.76
critical20.8%0.43

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 237 tagged complaints of 258 complaints (91.9%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

3 recalls.

14V355000

Date: 2014-06-23. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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, 2006-201 (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

12V377000

Date: 2012-08-03. Systems: SUSPENSION.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V398000

Date: 2011-08-05. Systems: STEERING.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

1,471 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT627
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM297
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING199
ENGINE134
POWER TRAIN106
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY89
WHEELS63
TIRES59

11037253

Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11032577

Date: 2026-05-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police and Special Service Vehicles.

11030974

Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

11030091

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11030092

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

11027601

Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11025755

Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customera s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If

11023091

Date: 2025-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

11022084

Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11021792

Date: 2025-08-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/o

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
IMPALA258

Same model, other years

All model years | All Chevrolet models

Other Chevrolet models, 2012

Sources

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