Problems · by component

2012 Chevrolet Impala steering problems

49 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala cite steering, 19% of all 258 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
49
19% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V398000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2023SteeringODI 11552571
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11522595
“When making left turns the car will make a loud grinding noise and will stop momentarily; it says it is due to the traction control on the dash. It is extremely unsafe when making a turn while a car is coming and there's nothing you can do. Also while making left hand turns the wheel will sometimes lock and you can't manually move the steering wheel. You have to turn off the car and wait sometimes 10+ minutes then the wheel will unlock. Now when I go to start my car it starts shaking and making a loud noise and rev low. After about 1 minute it will completely turn off and it will say service Stabilitrak and service traction control.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2022Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11451249
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CURB. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED KOONS WHITE MARSH CHEVROLET (10207 PHILADELPHIA RD, WHITE MARSH, MD 21162; (410) 931-8600) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V398000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2021SteeringCrash reportedODI 11390971
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11338104

Showing 6 of 49 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

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

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