2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
421
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
53
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA
The 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA has received a total of 421 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. 53 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (56 complaints), Electronic Stability Control Esc (54 complaints), and Steering (48 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA, potentially affecting up to 3,188,488 vehicles.
Recall 14V355000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 3,141,731 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 12V377000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
| 36,413 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 11V398000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
| 10,344 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA
421 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Safety Rating for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA
The 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA
General Motors, LLC has issued 53 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIP4112T — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating. The concern is present when coasting at low speeds of less than 15 miles per hour and then aggressively applying the throttle, or after making a hard stop followed by an...
11-00-89-005V — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This Warranty Administration bulletin provides information on Dealer Empowerment for Goodwill, Customer Enthusiasm and Policy (U.S. Only).
01-03-10-003O — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This bulletin contains information for the new tires that the vehicle is equipped with and that they are covered by General Motors against defects in material or workmanship under the New Vehicle Warranty (Base Warranty Coverage). For vehicles within this warranty period, defective tires will be replaced on a pro...
GCUS-9-1466 — ENGINE
14588C - SPECIAL COVERAGE (REVISED LABOR TIME). POLICE PATROL VEHICLES, IDLING THE ENGINE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME CAN PREMATURELY WEAR THE ENGINE-COOLING-FAN MOTOR. IN THIS CONDITION, THE MOTOR MAY FAIL TO OPERATE OR OPERATE NOISILY. THIS CONDITION CAN ALSO DAMAGE MOTOR-CONTROL RELAYS IN THE VEHICLES UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER...
07-08-42-011J — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
This informational bulletin provides technicians with speed limiter - programmable options - obtaining calibrations for Police Package Vehicles, Daytime Running Lamps (DRL), Automatic Headlights (AHL), dome and courtesy lamps, trunk release.
PIP4548D — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician what to inspect if codes P0016 and/or P0017 are setting on a properly timed engine or a condition of the vehicle cranks but will not start. Technician should inspect the respective intake or exhaust camshaft reluctor to see if it has spun on...
PI0837 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN ON A HESITATION OR A SAG ON ACCELERATION AFTER A LIFT FOOT OR COAST MANEUVER.
PI0837 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN ON A HESITATION OR A SAG ON ACCELERATION AFTER A LIFT FOOT OR COAST MANEUVER.
PIC-5606 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHEVROLET: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES REGARDING SES LIGHT ON AND VEHICLE FAILING TO START. *PE UPDATED 3/27/15. *PE
PIC-5606 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CHEVROLET: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES REGARDING SES LIGHT ON AND VEHICLE FAILING TO START. *PE UPDATED 3/27/15. *PE
Showing 10 of 53 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET IMPALA
- 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 930 complaints
- 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 1,203 complaints
- 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 1,365 complaints
- 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 737 complaints
- 2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 844 complaints
- 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA (current)
- 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 466 complaints
- 2014 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 1,016 complaints
- 2015 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 429 complaints
- 2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 176 complaints
- 2017 CHEVROLET IMPALA — 134 complaints
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