2012 Chevrolet Impala problems and recalls

Owners have filed 258 complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, and NHTSA has issued 3 recalls. The most cited component is the Electrical System (58 complaints).

258
Complaints
3
Recalls
20
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
16
Injuries
83.5
Severity index

Severity index 83.5 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 83.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 34 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 74% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 58 complaints (22.5%)58 22%Electronic Stability Co…Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 54 complaints (20.9%)54 21%SteeringSteering: 49 complaints (19.0%)49 19%EngineEngine: 40 complaints (15.5%)40 16%Service BrakesService Brakes: 34 complaints (13.2%)34 13%Power TrainPower Train: 27 complaints (10.5%)27 10%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 23 complaints (8.9%)23 9%SuspensionSuspension: 22 complaints (8.5%)22 9%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5822.5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5420.9%
STEERING4919.0%
ENGINE4015.5%
SERVICE BRAKES3413.2%
POWER TRAIN2710.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER238.9%
SUSPENSION228.5%

Complaints filed per year

026512011: 12012: 112013: 202014: 512015: 252016: 332017: 252018: 302019: 262020: 112021: 82022: 42023: 72024: 32025: 12026: 2 (partial year)1112131451151617181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20111
201211
201320
201451
201525
201633
201725
201830
201926
202011
20218
20224
20237
20243
20251
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (11 against 23).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
14V35500023/06/2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONThis 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)
12V37700003/08/2012SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARMGeneral 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.
11V39800005/08/2011STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONSGM 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,

Other Chevrolet Impala model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.