To be able to afford repairs and return it to release date price close to around 27,000 to 28,000 tire got needed air awhile and radiator and the reservoir or holder got replaced still not knowing how to repair the rest with getting the money to for safety standards or requirements wondering if program help getting it repaired and or a new vehicle same company or model not trying to have it be
The worst 2012 Chevrolet Impala problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical58
- Driver assistance56
- Steering49
- Engine43
- Brakes33
- Transmission27
- Suspension22
- Airbags20
- Wheels19
- Fuel system18
- Acceleration15
- Seat belts9
- Body8
- Lights8
- Visibility5
- Tires3
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Chevrolet Impala
ABS 25Grinding brakes 23Stalling 21Check engine light 19Loss of power 16Jerking 11Ball joint 10Harsh shifting 9Knocking 8Fuel pump 8Headlights 7Steering lock-up 7No deployment 6Engine failure 6Hesitation 6Power steering loss 5
Recalls 3
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 14V355000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 12V377000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V398000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala 1,472
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police...
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size...
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
2012 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 29 | 22 |
What 2012 Chevrolet Impala owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
The actuators in the air vents are faulty and I've had to have them repla ed multiple times now. They still continue to make clicking noise sounds and blow cold air in winter/hot air in summer. The trunk deck lid paint is bad. The clear coat has been coming off. Paint all over the car's clear coat has been coming off. There is also some spots where it's down to the metal showing rust/corrosion. Finally, and most seriously, is the car's Traction Control System. It goes off constantly and without warning! It's been doing this randomly, in all types of weather conditions, for some time now. It goes off under normal driving conditions. I barely pull out of a parking space, or make a slow turn, or pull out of a parking lot at a very slow speed and it just goes off. The really dangerous part is that it stalls the car almost to a complete stop, when I've been making a turn well before oncoming traffic, and it stalls almost causing an accident on several occasions now. Most of the incidents are on sunny days where there's no inclement weather! This system is not safe and is unreliable. I've checked many public forums, like Reddit, and there are many other Chevy Impala owners who complain of the same exact problem. Yet Chevy has issued No recalls!? The only recall I've seen close to this is for 2011 year models. Although my car is a 2012, 2011 parts likely were used. If the recall affects 2011 Impalas, then any model that used 2011 parts should be included in this recall. I cannot trust the safety of my car's Traction Control System anymore as it comes on without warning, under no circumstances where it would need to come on. People are in danger with this defect! The car cosmetically, specifically the paint job and the flimsy actuators, are also defective. I've always taken excellent care of my vehicle, regularly having maintenance done at my local Chevy Dealership. Another defect that Chevy had to fix was my fuel pump that went out for no reason! I have receipt for this.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he became aware of condensation under the vehicle. The oil pressure light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake hose needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V398000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Stability control light comes on which puts the engine in restricted power ABS and brake light comes on front driver side brake continuously holds on when trying to accelerate
Fuel pump replacement with Gm dealership parts provider now car engine doesn't shut off right after key is turned off and car doesn't want to talk gas when fueling then doesn't want to start after fueling
I put my car in reverse and the car turned off and have turn back on. When I try to start it, I don’t hear any fix or crank. Before this happened, my car was slow to change gear or it would will change so fast that my car will lose control and I did not feel safe at all.
Compare the 2012 Chevrolet Impala
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Owners have filed 258 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, fewer than a typical Impala model year.
What is the 2012 Chevrolet Impala year score?
The 2012 Chevrolet Impala scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Impala: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
Electrical system, with 58 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (56).
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system, suspension and steering.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Impala electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V355000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Impala have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Impala model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (681 complaints), 2005 (331 complaints) and 2002 (305 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala range from 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 29 highway.
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