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2012 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems

58 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
58
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
55,000
crashes
3
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Ignition
    1
  • 12v/24v/48v battery: cables
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Impala electrical problems in other years

1993199520002005201020152020

Related recalls

Electrical system: ignitionReported June 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles affected
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

What 2012 Chevrolet Impala owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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.

Filed Jan 27, 2024 · Body, Electrical · GA

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.

Filed May 28, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · KY

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.

Filed May 18, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · 80,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, while driving in the rain, the steering wheel seized. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the key failed to release from the ignition. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Apr 5, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · AZ

I have a 2012 impala that I have had since 2015 and a little while after I got it the engine light came on and it said it was the fuel pump control module requested Mil illumination and evaporated emissions systems leak detected (large leak) and at times the gas tank sparys back at up if you don't let it sit open for a little bit. I have had these issues fixed multiple times and by multiple mechanics who still can't figure out what's going on.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that two days after purchasing the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the sounds were coming from the heater actuator and it could lead to an air conditioner failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided since the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from behind the dashboard. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the air control motor was defective and needed to be replaced. The air control regulator arm motor was replaced however, the failure recurred. A dealer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 120,000 miles · OH

I have a 2012 chevy impala, the traction service control and ABS/stabilitrack keeps giving me issues. I have a grinding noise, decreased power and car will nearly stop on you from time to time, particularly when turning. Taken to dealership, more than one, they keep telling me the harness attach to my traction control system snaps. Ive heard my model has this issue. I see no recall for my VIN, but I have the same issues.

Filed Aug 27, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 40,000 miles · CA

While driving 30 MPH on city streets going straight with a slight incline the A/C and radio powered on and off several times. When stopped at a stop light the doors unlocked and "service stabilitrak" flashed on and off the dash, the radio powered down, and the A/C turned off. After a few second everything went back to normal. No check engine lights came on at all. This is not the first time this has happened.

Filed Aug 10, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 91,000 miles · NJ

Traction control light and chime on and off..............car runs ok but chime will drive you crazy.............need to turn it off................

Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala electrical

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 58 complaints about the electrical of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.

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).

Other 2012 Chevrolet Impala problems

Driver assistance 56Steering 49Engine 43Brakes 33Transmission 27Suspension 22Airbags 20Wheels 19Fuel system 18Acceleration 15Seat belts 9Body 8Lights 8Visibility 5Tires 3Seats 1

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