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2012 Chevrolet Impala Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2012 Chevrolet Impala carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition and lower arm. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “ignition switch recall 14V355000 repair part delays.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014

Issue: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Campaign #12V377000 · Mar 8, 2012

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Campaign #11V398000 · May 8, 2011

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala.

Reported to NHTSA

ignition switch recall 14V355000 repair part delays

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2017-10

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10680671
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10643675
“2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY IGNITION RECALL. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL # 14V355000. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10639972

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

seat belt buckle and retractor failure

SEAT BELTS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2022-01

“Both front seat belts sometimes do not click when buckling up. Sometimes you have to reinsert the metal end into the buckle several times to get it to "click". If it doesn't click you can pull on the strap and it will come out causing a safety issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11445839
“SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS FOUND TO BE INOPERABLE DURING A DEALERSHIP REPAIR VISIT. DEALER WILL REPLACE IT AT SUBSTANTIAL CHARGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10972030
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10704978

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

StabiliTrak warning lights with power loss on turns

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

58 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2024-12

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11338104
“GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT WHEEL. ELECTRONIC STABALIZER FLASHES ON AND OFF AND ON AND OFF. GOING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THEN JUST DIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. HAD WHEEL HUB SENSOR REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10982954
“The front wheel hub assembly fails after numerous replacements. The after-market parts do not resolve the problem. Thw assembly girnds and hesitates on right turns during acceleration”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11444926

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

power steering loss and steering wheel seizure

STEERING

14 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2026-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE REVERSING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO FUNCTION PROPERLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638426
“VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO BEGIN TO MOVE. HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE ONLY MOVED ABOUT 5 FEET AND HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. FOUND THE RIGHT TIE-ROD WAS BROKEN. CAR HAS 37000 MILES ON IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10893867
“WHEN I BACK OUT OF A PARKING STALL OR DRIVEWAY AND STILL HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE, WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE WHEEL TO START TO DRIVE DOWN THE STREET, IT IS LIKE I LOST POWER STEERING AND IT TAKES EVERYTHING IN MY POWER WITH MY HANDS TO TURN THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10945418

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

engine stalls and shuts off unexpectedly while driving

ENGINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2018-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11154271
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627541
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 60MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CARJUST DIED, IT STARTED TO DECELERATE, I TRIED TO PUSH GAS BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE WITHOUT INJURY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10905489

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

air bag warning indicator and non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2019-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10630600
“I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AT INTERSECTION NEAR REAR DOOR. MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL (NOT WORTH FIXING), AND I WAS TAKEN TO ER HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE DUE TO SEVER NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. RELEASED WITH FRACTURE OF NECK AND FRACTURED RIGHT RIBS. NOT ONE AIR BAG IN FRONT OR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864986
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11056070

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

282 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

20

complaints mentioning a crash

5

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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