NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE JERKS WHILE SHIFTING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED HEAVY JOLTING, ROUGH SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY DURING LOW SPEEDS. WHILE ON HIGHWAY OR DURING STRONG ACCELERATION, CAR SHIFTS GREAT. MOSTLY THE ISSUES ARE DURING DOWNSHIFTS OR LOW SPEED SHIFTS. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD A FACTORY RESET MAY HELP ADJUST TO DRIVING STYLES. WE BOUGHT CAR USED WITH 35000 MILES. THIS DID NOT HELP. NOT EVEN SURE IF THIS IS AN OPTION. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. SAYS TRANSMISSION TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO. AWESOME CAR, JUST WISH THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. *TR
THE FIRST TIME WAS IN DEC. 2013. EVERYTIME I BACKED UP I HEARD A CLUNK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BAD RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB. I WAS IN LUCK BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY MINUS THE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THE CAR ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE SECOND TIME WAS TODAY,3/14/2014. I WENT IN FOR A STATE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT FRONT HUB WAS BAD. THE WARRANTY COVERED IT AGAIN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 42,190 ON IT. ONLY 2000 MILES BETWEEN OCCURRENCES. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE. ALSO I WAS JUST TOLD OF A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. DOES THIS INCLUDE MY 2012 IMPALA? *TR
TRACTOR TRAILER HIT A 1/2 SCHOOL BUS WHICH HIT US ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. PASSENGERS HAD SEVERE INJURIES INCLUDING NECK, ARMS, NERVE, HANDS, SHOULDER DAMAGE. *TR
WHEN DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE AT LOWER THAN NORMAL DRIVING TEMPERATURE, DRIVER STOPS AT A STOP SIGN AND WITH HARD ACCELERATION THE ENGINE SURGES FROM FULL POWER TO DYING OUT AS THO FUEL STARVED.THIS CONTINUES IN A JERKING ACTION. UNTIL; THE DRIVER REMOVES HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN PRESSES THE GAS FEED AGAIN AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE RUNS SMOOTHLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG AS THE ENGINE IS NOW AT NORMAL RUNNING TEMP. DRIVER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE FUEL SYSTEM --- HELP.. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CARRIAGE BOLT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
IM GOING DOWN THE ROAD MASH ON THE GAS DOING 38 AND THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF CONTROL. I LITERALLY HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. IM DOING 45 TO 50 AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING ME RIGHT INTO THE SHOULDER OR INTO OTHER TRAFFIC I HAD TO LAY OFF THE GAS TO GAIN CONTROL OF CAR DOING SUCH LOW SPEED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. AND WAS BLOWN AWAY.HOW THE SUSPENSION AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS NOT IN MY HAND NO MORE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT ON ONLINE. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS ITS THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE CAR THAT MESSING UP THE WHOLE CAR.AND IF THERE IS POLICE FLEET OF THESE IMPALAS AND THEY USING THESE IN POLICE CHASES. THE CHASES COULD TURN UGLY. I DROVE AND BUNCH OF POLICE FLEET VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD ONE WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE CONTROL OF IT GETTING INTO HIGH SPEEDS. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THESE IS THAT IMPALA HAS FWD WITH 308 HP ALL UP FRONT WHAT WAS THEY THINKING. IT'LL BE GOOD FRO A DRAG CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. START FROM A STAND STILL AND TRY TO GET UP SPEED FAST. DOING IT WITHOUT CRASHING OR MERGING INTO ANOTHER LANE IS IMPOSSIBLE. GET IN A 2012 CHEVY IMPALA LT WITH 308 HP THEN YOU WILL SEE THE PROBLEM. ALSO EXISTS ON SS MODELS AS WELL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SERVICE STABILITRAC, SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HUB ASSEMBLY AND SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT WIRE HARNESS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN 4TH GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH OR 6TH GEAR AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE" WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND THE SL-N MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AND THE "TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE" WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE DISABLING LINK SENSOR BEFORE THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,206.
MAY 2013 I PURCHASED A 2012 IMPALA FULLY CERTIFIED BY THE CHEVY DEALER. ON 9/25/2013 I WAS STOPPED ON I-80 DUE TO TRAFFIC. A WOMAN TRAVELING 53 MPH SLAMMED INTO ME CAUSING ME TO TAKE OUT THE NEXT 3 CARS. I FILED AN INVESTIGATION WITH GM TO REVIEW THE VEHICLE INFORMATION (WHICH IS HOW I KNOW HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING). THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE SEAT BELT HAD RESTRAINED ME ONLY AFTER I VIOLENTLY BOUNCED OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THIS WAS REPORTED TO GM IT WAS STATED THAT THERE ARE THREE LINES OF DEFENSE IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT #1 THE BODY OF YOUR VEHICLE #2 YOUR SEAT BELT #3 AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. 2/3 LINES OF DEFENSE HAD FAILED ME. GM HAD NO CONCLUSION AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND I RECEIVED THE REPORTS FROM THE ENGINEERS. I WAS TRAVELING FAST ENOUGH INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME FOR THE AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED, AND THE SEAT BELT SHOULD HAVE RESTRAINED ME. NEARLY A YEAR LATER, I AM GREATFUL THAT ONE LINE OF DEFENSE HAD PREVENTED FURTHER INJURIES, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I WILL FOREVER FEEL THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF. WITH RECENT NEWS INVESTIGATIONS INTO GM'S FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, CLEARLY THEY CAN LOOK BEYOND JUST THE OLDER MODELS OF IMPALAS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING THERE WOULD BE AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIDER GEAR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,300.
MY VEHICLE'S STEERING WENT OUT OF NO WHERE AS I WAS PULLING INTO A STORE. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS, AND VERY THICK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO STOP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND WAS OVERCOME BY SMOKE. I ENDED UP RESORTING TO CALLING A TOW TRUCK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT 3 MONTHS PRIOR. THE CURRENT ISSUE THE DEALER SAID I HAD, WAS THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS EMITTING HEAT AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD BURNED AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. I TOW THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THAT ORIGINALLY REPAIRED IT. THEY CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE IN THE 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. ON 8/11 A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THIS WAS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE BEING ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE HEAT WAS BURNING THE HOSES. THIS WAS CAUSING ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 2 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2013 WITH 29K MILES. IT NOW HAS 33K MILES AND THE DIAGNOSIS GIVEN BY THE DEALER IS IDENTICAL TO THE DIAGNOSIS FOR THE RECALL. BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WILL NOT BE FIXED AS IT DID NOT FALL UNDER RECALL AND ARE BLAMING THE REPAIR DONE BY THE COLLISION CENTER. I BELIEVE THEY CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ARE PUTTING PEOPLE AT A CONTINUED RISK OF HAVING A FIRE START IN THEIR VEHICLE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED MORE THAN ONCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD ALSO BE ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKES WERE BLED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE. THE PULLEY AND BELT TENSIONER WAS REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,746.
THE ENGINE DIED IN A HARD RAIN,WIPERS QUIT, FLASHERS CAME ON, WINDOWS WENT UP AND DOWN, CD PLAYER QUIT AND RADIO CAME ON, THEN FLASHERS WENT OFF. WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO BACK UP SOAKING THE INSIDE OF THE DOORS.THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND NOW SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I CALLED THE DEALER TWICE AND GOT A RECORDING ASKING ME TO LEAVE A BRIEF MESSAGE. IF THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO ANSWER THE PHONE, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FIX IT? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED AND FUEL SPILLED OUT AS THE MPG MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,100.
SAME INCIDENT TWICE. I AM DRIVING EITHER AT LOW SPEEDS (5 TO 10 MPH) OR AT 30 MPH. THE LIGHT SERVICE STABILITRAK AND BRAKES COMES ON. AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHTS AND THE MESSAGE GO OFF. I TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP BECAUSE THE WARNING MESSAGE IS OFF. I HAVE SEEN MESSAGES ACROSS THE INTERNET POSTS THAT OTHER IMPALAS (2012) ARE DOING THE SAME THING. *TR
WHEN I START MY CAR UP FROM A COLD START, I HERE A RATTLING NOISE, AND AFTER IT GETS WARM IT GOES AWAY. ITS BEEN DOING THAT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. AS THE MILES GOT ON THE CAR I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HAVE 200,000 MILES PLUS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MATERIAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE METAL INTERIOR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ UPDATED 01/13/2015 *JS
WHEN A WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN IN THE VEHICLE THERE IS A HORRIBLE VIBRATION INSIDE OF THE CAR THAT ACTUALLY CAUSES A HEADACHE. EVEN IF WE ROLL DOWN TWO IT DOESN'T HELP.
CAR WAS SERVICED (OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION). AFTERWARDS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR 50-60 MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION FELT IN WHEEL AND IN SEAT. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, HAD ALL 4 WHEELS BALANCED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END, NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS (10-15MPH) WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN ROAD; NOTICEABLE WHEN A/C AND RADIO TURNED OFF. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM, SAYS ITS OPERATING AS DESIGNED, NO NOISE. FRUSTRATING CONSIDERING THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT PRESENT AT PURCHASE OR AT 30,000 MILES. ADDITIONALLY THE AIRBAG / SEATBELT INDICATOR ILLUMINATES FOR PASSENGER SEAT AT RANDOM TIMES FOR NO REASON. SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A BOTTLE ON THE SEAT WILL MAKE IT ILLUMINATE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,220. *TR
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE CHANGING LANES. I TOOK THE OFF-RAMP FROM HWY 515 TO 215 AND HAD TO PULL THE WHEEL HARD TO NEGOTIATE THE RAMP CURVE. I MADE IT HOME AND CALLED CHEVY ON MONDAY. THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP BUT ONCE IT ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THE STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
BRAKES HAVE WHAT I FEEL IS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FADE ESPECIALLY AFTER JUST A FEW STOPS SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHEN YOU TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. *TR
PURCHASED A GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE. VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHENEVER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD DIE COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. ONE INSTANCE WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, THE IGNITION ACTED "STUCK." I ONLY TURNED THE IGNITION ONCE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO CRANK OVER TO RESTART THE CAR ON ITS OWN. THE LAST COUPLE OF INSTANCES WHEN TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT DIED, EVEN WHEN NOT MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. IT WOULD DIE PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MAIN MOTORS (A GM DEALERSHIP) TO HAVE IT FIXED. THEY SAID THE WIRES WERE WORN THROUGH IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT RUN TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THEY STATED THEY REROUTED THE WIRES. MY BILL WAS ONLY FOR LABOR, NO REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. I ASKED GM TO COVER THIS. THE SERVICE ADVISER TOLD THE FIRST AGENT AT GM THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE WIRE HARNESS. THEN THE CASE WAS DIRECTED TO A "DISTRICT SPECIALIST." THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST STATED THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MAIN MOTORS RETRACTED THE STATEMENT THAT IT WAS A DEFECT AND STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO BE WORN THROUGH. NOT A SAFE DESIGN FOR AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO NOT LAST PAST 55000 MILES. *TR
WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE PEDDLE WOULD SLOWLY DRIFT TOWARDS FLOOR. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL AS IF THE BRAKES WERE RELEASING. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL HALTING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND GM WAS AWARE OF IT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKEING WHEN IN MOTION. *TR
I RECENTLY READ THAT GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A RECALL AUGUST 3, 2012 FOR 2008 - 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALAS CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. RECALL # 12V377000 CONCERNS THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE RECALL MAY FRACTURE. A FRACTURED LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS RECALL, ACCORDING TO GM, ONLY APPLIES TO POLICE VEHICLES. I AM WRITING THIS MESSAGE TO YOU TO ASK WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE POLICE VEHICLES FROM THE NON POLICE VEHICLES WHICH WOULD EXCLUDE THE NON POLICE VEHICLES FROM THE RECALL. IS THIS THE SAME TYPE OF SITUATION AS THE GM RECALL REGARDING 2007 - 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE SPINDLES IN WHEELS WHICH GM IS TRYING TO LIMIT TO POLICE VEHICLES ONLY BUT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO APPLY TO ALL CHEVROLET IMPALAS? THANKS, *TR
WHEN DRIVING AFTER EVERY ATTEMPT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN,MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, & ABS LIGHT ALL POP ON. SINCE THEN IT HAS WENT ON AND OFF FOR MANY DAYS UNTIL IT JUST FINALLY STAYED ON PERMANENTLY. ALSO MESSAGE: "STABILITRAK SERVICE AND TRACTION CONTROL , BRAKE ASSIST " FINALLY TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN CULVER CITY,CA IN MAY 2013 & WAS TOLD THEY TESTED THE FRONT ABS CONNECTOR AND TRACTION AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODE ERRORS. RESET THE SENSORS ANYWAYS AND ADJUSTED THE TIMING. AS SOON AS I DROVE OUT THE DEALER,SAME ERROR MESSAGES AND LIGHTS RETURNED. TOOK CAR AGAIN TO SAME DEALER &WASTOLD "I MUST HAVE DROVE THROUGH WATER OR OILY SURFACE AND LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AFTER I DROVE 20 OR SO MILES".LIGHTS & ERRORS DID NOT GO AWAY.RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER AGAIN,THIS TIME AGAIN FOUND NO ERRORS BUT THEY PROCEED TO REPLACE THE TIRE SENSORS AND RESET THE SENSOR ID. LIGHTS&CODES WENT OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN RETURNED WITH A GRINDING NOISE WHEN LEFT TURN, LOOSE ENGINE POWER &STEERING POWER, LIGHT &CODES CONTINUE TO STAY ON,& STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN LEFT TURN. I HAVE BEEN AT A LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN WHEN THE CAR WILL STALL & NOT LET ME TAKE OFF.BRAKES APPEAR TO LOCK UP.JUST MISSED A FEW CAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALL. HAS LEFT ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT HEAD ON & WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND GOT STUCK ON THE TURN. CANNOT ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY FASHION IS A HUGE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE DEALER OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE HAD TIRE AND BRAKE EXPERT SHOPS LOOK AT THE PROBLEM A FEW TIMES. ALSO NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. FINALLY DECIDED TO JUST TRY &IGNORE IT BUT AFTER SO MANY CLOSE CALLS OF ACCIDENTS& ENDAGERING MY FAMILIES LIFE IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ME TO JUST DEAL WITH IT ANYMORE OR TO CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY TO TRY & FIND PROBLEM.FORUMS PROVE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STREET PAST AN INTERSECTION, A CAR RAN THE STOP SIGN AND HIT THE RIGHT SIDE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER DOOR AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAUSING A 180 SPIN AND SLIDING INTO THE CURB DAMAGING THE LEFT WHEELS AND STEERING DOING $10,000 DAMAGE. THE PROBLEM I AM WRITING ABOUT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE. I HAVE TO WONDER WHY AND ARE THEY GOING TO ACTIVATE IF I HAVE ANOTHER CRASH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A CLICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD A 42 MONTH WARRANTY. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE TIRES (ALL 4) WERE DRY ROTTING. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS FOGGING TO THE POINT IT WAS DIMMING THE HEAD LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED THIS AND THE NAME OF THE CHEVROLET DEALER WAS TOM BANNEN AND NOW SERRA CHEVROLET. I COMPLAINED TO GENERAL MOTORS IN MICHIGAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THIS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TO BE SEEN BY THE SERVICE MANAGER WHICH I DID AND WAS TURNED DOWN AGAIN FOR REPAIRS EVEN WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES THE JERK AT SERRA CHEVROLET SAID THAT SERRA CHEVROLET WOULD NOT HONOR ANY WARRANTY THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER, TOM BANNEN. I THINK THAT SERRA CHEVROLET IN MADISON, TN. HAS AND WILL RIP OFF OTHER BUYERS WHO HAD THE WARRANTIES FROM TOM BANNEN. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT AND TELL ALL MY RELATIVES AND MANY FRIENDS NOT TO BUY FROM THIS RIP OFF ARTIST.
I STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION,AND PULLED OUT ONTO ANOTHER ROAD,THE CAR BACKFIRED AND QUIT RUNNING ,LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION,AND ALMOST GOT HIT. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THE CAR IS OPERATING NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS ALOT WITHIN THIS VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR
2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER SENSOR FAILURE IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE QUIT, THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT WORK AND HE WAS UNABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, OR LOWER THE WINDOWS USING THE POWER SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WAS WITH THE KEY FOB, THAT UNLOCKED OR LOCKED THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A BAD SENSOR AND TWO BURNED WIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSURED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. A WEEK LATER, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. ON JUNE 13, 2013 WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DIED AGAIN. IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE THAT OCCURRED BACK IN FEBRUARY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN. THE NEXT THE DAY, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY STILL HAD NOT FOUND A PROBLEM. TWO HOURS LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THEY HAD FOUND THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE PART ARRIVED THE SAME DAY, AND THE CONSUMER WAS ASSURED, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. HOWEVER, AS SOON AS HE PULLED OFF AT AN EXIT, THE VEHICLE DIED AGAIN. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY FOUND NUMEROUS EXPOSED WIRES, THAT WERE CAUSING SHORTS, SUCH AS RUBBING ON THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER METAL PARTS, MANY OF THEM WERE NOT PROPERLY SECURED. ALSO, WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS, HE DISCOVERED THE LOW BEAMS DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER STATED CHEVROLET BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK AND THEY OFFERED HIM A DEAL ON A DIFFERENT MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. UPDATED 09/24/13. JB
CAR CUT OFFS WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. RPM ODOMETER STOPS WORKING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON REDUCE ENGINE POWER. STABILITY TRACK AND ABS STOP CAR FROM TURNING. GM DEALER SAID ITS BATTERY TERMINAL WIRES AND A NEW BATTERY CHANGED BOTH AND SAME ISSUE. FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR KEEPS GOING BAD REPLACED TWICE. CAR IS CHOKING ON TO MUCH FUEL ROTTEN EGGS SMELL COMING FROM EXHAUST. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE HAS CUT OFF ON ME IN TRAFFIC TO MANY TIMES NOW. ONCE AND IF PROBLEMS ARE EVER FOUND THEIR NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY CAUSED THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CURVE TO IT THAT SKEWS YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS A RENTAL, AND AFTER JUST AN HOUR OF DRIVING, MY EYES HURT, AND I GOT A HEADACHE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A POOR DESIGN ISSUE, AND OUT CONCERNED ME FOR THOSE WHO MAY ACTUALLY OWN THE VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL MADE A THUD SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE SPARE TIRE SCREWS INSIDE THE TRUNK WERE TIGHTENED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AGAIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REVVED AND STALLED. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN THUMB AND A HEAD CONCUSSION. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 33,500.
I HAVE NOTICED WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STAND STILL THE RPM ARE HIGH AND THE ENGINE IS VERY LOUD AND NOISY. IT SEEMS AS I AM DRIVING WITH A V-8 OR EVEN A DIESEL ENGINE. I AM SURE GM HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE REVIEWED HAS STATED THE SAME THING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE IDLING OF THE RPMS WHEN YOUR JUST TAKING OFF AT A NORMAL SPEED AND THE REDUCTION OF THE ENGINE NOISE AS WELL. MY 2002 IMPALA WITH 136K MILES ON IT SOUNDED BETTER THAN THIS AND IT NEEDED SOME WORK DONE TO IT. I THOUGHT I WOULD AT LEAST GET THE BEST QUALITY FROM UPGRADING TO SOMETHING MORE UP TO DATE BUT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED. IF YOUR GOING TO PAY GOOD MONEY FOR A VEHICLE YOU SHOULD HAVE A DECENT CAR THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A PIECE OF CRAP. CAN GM GET IT TO WHERE IT IS RUNNING AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS? *TR
AT SPEEDS 15 MPH AND ABOVE AFTER DECELERATING THEN ACCELERATING TRANSMISSION WILL MAKE A NOISE RANGING FROM A CLINK, CLANK, CLUNK TO A BANGING JOLT AS IF THE CAR HAS BEEN REAR ENDED. THE MORE PRESSURE ON ACCELERATION AND THE LOWER THE GEAR THE LOUDER THE NOISE AND THE GREATER THE JOLT. DEALERSHIP STATES TRANSMISSION IS OPERATING PROPERLY. *TR
UPON ARRIVING AT A RESTAURANT LOCATION WHERE WE PLANNED TO DINE, MY SPOUSE OPENED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR USING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. WHILE PUSHING THE DOOR OPEN SHE RELAXED HER HANDHOLD ON THE HANDLE ALLOWING HER RIGHT HAND PINKIE FINGER TO BECOME CAPTURED BETWEEN THE RETRACTING HANDLE AND THE FLAT AREA WHERE THE HANDLE IS ATTACHED. IT PINCHED HER FINGER AND IT IMMEDIATELY FORMED A BLOOD BLISTER AND WAS VERY PAINFUL. AFTER SHE EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, I INSPECTED ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO REPLICATE HER TYPE OF INJURY AT ANY OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES. I THEN TOOK A PICTURE OF HER INJURY AND THE PROBLEM INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V377000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A POLICE PATROL CAR AND REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN MADE DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I BOUGHT A 2012 IMPALA .2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM DEALER HAD TIRE GO DOWN FROM BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL. A MONTH LATER SAME THING. HAD BLOW OUT WITH 3 COUPLE DAYS AGO. WENT AND BOUGHT NEW SET AND FOUND OUT 4TH TIRE HAD BUBBLE.NOW I HATE I BOUGHT ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2. HOW CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK K FROM GOODYEAR OR NEW TIRES
VEHICLE STARTED VIA NORMAL KEY IGNITION. AFTER HIGH IDLING STOPS FOR WARM UP, VEHICLE STARTS TO HAVE ODOMETER NEEDLE MOVE FROM 500 RPM TO 1000 RPM FOR A STEADY 5 TO TEN MINUTES. IN ADDITION, EVENT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AT LONG STOPS EVEN AFTER CAR WARM. USUALLY, RPM MAY STEADY AT ABOUT 750 OR SO A NORMAL RPM SETTING FOR THIS VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO KEPT IT FOR A WEEK. NO CORRECTION MADE. DEALER STATE WAITING TO HEAR FROM MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE STILL HAVE PROBLEM HAVING NEEDLE FLUTTER BETWEEN THE RPM MENTIONED CAUSING UNDUE DISTRESS TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. PLEASE ASSIST. *TR
I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES AT HOME. WHEN REPLACING THE WHEELS I STARTED AND SNAGGED THE LUG NUTS BY HAND. I WENT TO TORQUE THE LUG NUTS TO SPECIFICATIONS (100 FOOT POUNDS) USING A TORQUE WRENCH. ONE OF THE RIGHT FRONT LUG NUTS WOULD NOT STOP TURNING WAY BEFORE REACHING THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WRENCH, THE STUD SNAPPED OFF. ONE OF THE LUGS/STUDS NEXT TO IT ALSO FELT SUSPICIOUS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD ALL STUDS AND LUGS REPLACED ON THAT WHEEL AS I AM AFRAID THERE MAY BE A BAD BATCH OF STUDS. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN SAVED IF NEEDED FOR TESTING. I WAS A MECHANIC IN THE 1960'S AND HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK ON MY OWN AND FAMILY VEHICLES SINCE THEN. I CAN NOT RECALL EVER SNAPPING A STUD BEFORE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING, I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. I HAD A 20 OZ AQUAFINA BOTTLE OF WATER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON AND CAR WAS WANTING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND THE THOUGHT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING BECAUSE THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG THOUGHT THERE WAS A PERSON SITTING THERE IS VERY DISTURBING. *TR
THE TIRES CONTINUALLY LOOSE AIR. THE DEALER WAY BACK WHEN SAID TIRES WERE MY EXPENSE. TOOK IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE AND THEY SAID THE RIMS ARE NOT SMOOTH ENOUGH FOR A TIGHT SEAL. I NEED TO ADD AIR EVERY 2 WEEKS WITHOUT FAIL. NOW I'M PAST THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY.
ACCELERATOR RESPONSE TIME TAKES TOO LONG TO RE-ACCELERATE . AFTER LETTING OFF GAS THEN RE-APPLYING PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, RESPONSE TIME SHOULD BE 800 MILI SECONDS FOR AN ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR BUT , IT IS WAY LONGER AND MAKES CAR BACKFIRE AT TIMES IF I HOLD PEDAL AFTER THE LAG IN RESPONSE . THIS CAUSES CAR TO LUNGE AND COULD CAUSE ME TO GET REAR ENDED OR DAMAGE ENGINE. SECOND, RUBBING GRINDING NOISE (NOT LOUD) FROM RIGHT FRONT AND MORE NOTICEABLE WHILE TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH AROUND A LEFT BEND IN ROAD OR BY MOVING STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT ABOUT AN INCH WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN ROAD. DEALER CLAIMED NO PROBLEM FOUND ON EITHER ISSUE , ALTHOUGH THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A STRUT BEARING ON RIGHT FRONT. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A PREVIOUS ISSUE JUDGING BY THE WORN TIRE BEFORE I PURCHASED CAR. I FIGURED IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM THAT MAY HAVE BEEN FIXED BECAUSE CAR DIDN'T PULL TO ONE SIDE AND DROVE STRAIGHT , BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE AND NOISE IS SLOWLY GETTING MORE NOTICEABLE UNLESS I'M JUST TUNED INTO IT. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026