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2012 Chevrolet Impala Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, most often about the electrical (23% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is 16th of 21 Impala model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2012 Chevrolet Impala problems
Electrical
58 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
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…
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…
Stability control
54 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
My car is trying to kill me. At a complete stop when I hit the gas the traction control comes on. My dash says service stabilitrak , traction control and ABS. I must turn off the traction control to drive my vehicle. With all that, if I drive up hill it turns the traction control on, the ABS and traction control light…
I have about 72,000 miles on my car and the service stabilitrak, service brake assist and service traction control messages come on and the ABS and electronic stability control light also are on. It happens when turning left or right and also the ABS kick in and effects the steering. I have replaced the right and left…
Steering
49 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, steering wheel/handle bar.
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…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While making a left turn at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Engine
43 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
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…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. When the vehicle made left turns at less than 5 MPH, it would sometimes stall and decelerate. The contact did not notice if there were any warning indicators illuminated at the time of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.…
Brakes
33 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, he applied the brakes the vehicle shook vigorously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the caliper failed and the technician replaced the caliper on the rear drivers brake. The manufacturer was made aware of…
The contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While reversing out of a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the vehicle finally stopped when it crashed into an embankment. The passenger was taken to sherman elgin hospital…
Transmission
27 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
When backing out of parking space turning right and then turning left, it sounds like grinding metal and the car starts jerking until the wheels are turned straight and then it's ok again it is really loud. I took it to the dealer but it wouldn't do it for them.
At times, the vehicle jerks while shifting. I have experienced heavy jolting, rough shifting, especially during low speeds. While on highway or during strong acceleration, car shifts great. Mostly the issues are during downshifts or low speed shifts. Took to Chevrolet dealership, was told a factory reset may help…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
The door blend actuators go out constantly. The car has three of them. When they go bad, there is a loud clicking or knocking sound behind the dashboard and the air conditioner and heater stop working. If it's cold, it blows cold air and if it's hot it blows hot air. I have replaced at least 20 actuators. Once they go…
I was driving on a residential road and I took a turn onto a different residential road and right after I started to accelerate the check engine light came on. Right after, the service stabilitrak and service traction control light came on. The car started sputtering and when I started to stop the brakes locked on and…
Wheels and tires
22 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, hub.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala equipped with goodyear eagle ls tires, size: p225/55r17. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started to shake. The contact discovered a bulge in the front driver side tire. The dealer stated that the failure occurred as a result of hitting a…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at various speeds and making a left turn, the vehicle would independently switch to traction control mode. In addition, an abnormal sound was coming from the brakes of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Chevrolet Impala recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: Power steering fluid could flow onto the catalytic converter, and an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (58 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); stability control (54 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); steering (49 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Chevrolet Impala?
- It is 16th of 21 Impala model years by number of complaints, with 258 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.