Model year record

2012 Chevrolet Impala

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 426 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V355000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
3,141,731
Reported to NHTSA
2014-06-23
Owners notified
2014-09-23

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 12V377000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Vehicles affected
36,413
Reported to NHTSA
2012-08-03
Owners notified
2012-08-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V398000

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Component
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Vehicles affected
10,344
Reported to NHTSA
2011-08-05
Owners notified
2011-09-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THAT THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE IS ROUTED CORRECTLY AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system5751,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)5472,000 mi
Steering4958,000 mi
Engine4140,000 mi
Service brakes3251,564 mi
Power train2632,000 mi
Unknown or other2460,000 mi
Air bags2041,039 mi
Suspension2070,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1750,000 mi
Wheels1770,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1466,000 mi
Seat belts936,000 mi
Exterior lighting860,300 mi
Structure: body726,700 mi
Traction control system442,000 mi
Visibility/wiper43,360 mi
Tires310,756 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system225,300 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing234,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1144,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1120 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift150 mi
Seats1148,201 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring135,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper144,073 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar130,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system149,341 mi
Structure120,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub134,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1
Wheels: hub144,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs18,486 mi

The 2011 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.