Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Chevrolet Impala problems

Owners filed 258 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala with NHTSA between Dec 2011 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (58).

Complaints
258
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Fuel/propulsion system17
  11. Vehicle speed control15
  12. Seat belts9
  13. Structure8
  14. Exterior lighting8

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
201211
201320
201451
201525
201633
201725
201830
201926
202011
20218
20224
20237
20243
20251
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

58 reports3 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“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 fire1 related recall
“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

Engine

40 reports2 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2024Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11588160

Service brakes

32 reports5 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2023Power train, Service brakesODI 11529882

Power train

27 reports1 crash
“The car has been in the shop twice within 6 months having it. It was towed twice, once for transmission issues and having no power to it at all then it back in the shop for warning lights. I also had it in the shop for about an hour to have a new tire put on it after loosing air. It had to be towed back home for all the brakes being shot and I'm now having an issue with the rear left caliper having a slow leak, the rear left sway bar is also broken in half. The whole entire car has issues and the leasing company and dealership refuse to do anything to help along with not helping me get the payment down. After one thing gets fixed, another thing happens. The suspension is getting bad and has been like that since my fiance and i got the car. The dealership said everything was new and fixed. We had 2 kids in the car and their safety was put at risk as well as others that got in the car. The car is getting to be a death trap for me. the warning lights that were coming on were Service Stabilitrak, Service Brake Assist, Service Trac Control and Service Brake System. These were coming on after I had the car in the shop for the transmission issue. Those lights are now…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2021Suspension, Power train, Service brakesODI 11442031
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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