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Research · Large Cars

2012 Chevrolet ImpalaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 258 owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala. Most complaints involve electrical system (58) and electronic stability control (esc) (54). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2014
Owner complaints
258
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jun 23, 2014NHTSA 14V355000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Aug 3, 2012NHTSA 12V377000

Steering: hose, piping, and connections

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Aug 5, 2011NHTSA 11V398000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

258 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2011 – Mar 2026
  1. Electrical system58
  2. Electronic stability control (esc)54
  3. Steering49
  4. Engine40
  5. Service brakes32
  6. Power train27
  7. Suspension22
  8. Air bags20
  9. Wheels19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Impala model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000829
2001747
2002808
2003722
20041,073
2005608
2006544
2007627
2008810
2009824
2010442
2011505
2012258
2013272
2014638
2015301
2016890
2017117
201859
201928
202015
Crashes reported
20
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

58 reports3 crashes2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11689100

Electronic stability control (esc)

54 reports3 crashes1 fire
“TRACTION CONTROL AND STABLITRAK LIGHTS COME ON. GRINDING SOUND AND HESITATION BEFORE MOVING IN REVERSE, GOING STRAIGHT AND TURNING. THE HESTIATION KEEPS THE CAR FROM MOVING. CAN TURN OFF AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR A SHORT BIT OF TIME WITH THE BOTTOM ON THE DASH. AFTER A WHILE TURNING IT OFF DOESN'T HELP BECAUSE IT TURNS ITSELF BACK ON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2020Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11344128

Steering

49 reports7 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2026SteeringODI 11717100
All 2012 Impala problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impala
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
182922$2,850404
Impala
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
182922$2,850404
  • Impala
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI
    18 city · 29 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Impala
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV
    18 city · 29 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6510
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Impala questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Impala problems?

Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (58), electronic stability control (esc) (54), steering (49). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Chevrolet Impala at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Chevrolet Impala 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026