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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,948 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Impala brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Jun 262023

Impala

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Audubon Park, KY, USA

problem #31

May 092021

Impala

  • miles
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 not coming on. My fiance and I were told by the dealership that the brakes were new, nothing mechanically wrong with the car and drives smoothly, this was said before we took the car for a test drive. We were there to buy a car but after we signed the papers, we were told it was a lease.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #30

Apr 152021

Impala

  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at 15 mph, the vehicle stalled causing the steering to lock and the brakes to fail. As a result, the vehicle crashed into street sign causing the vehicle to fall into a ditch. The contact stated the ABS and check engine warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed.there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 176,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #29

Jun 272020

Impala 6-cyl

  • 95,312 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Clunking, grinding noise service stabilitrak, service ABS lights come on lose power when reversing or making a left turn. After much research there seems to be a problem with the wiring harness going to the sensors in the wheels. Many people are having this very same problem across many years of this vehicle. People are spending money unnecessarily on parts such as wheel hubs and bearings without fixing said problem. Many people are also reporting cars turning off as a result of this.

- Browns Mills, NJ, USA

problem #28

Jun 022019

Impala

  • 34,000 miles
The electronic stability control system is constantly on even when my car is stationary my antilock brake system light is also always on. Some times I lose power when I start to drive. I had it checked and had the sensor replaced, but the problems were not solved.

- Margate, NJ, USA

problem #27

Jun 142019

Impala

  • 141,200 miles
Since 2017, upon starting my car I get all of the following alert msgs "service stabilitrak", *service brake assist" and "service traction control" on my dashboard. I've had the car into les schwab and error code diagnostics done both before and after both front hub assemblies were replaced. The same service messages still continue to appear on the dash. Les schwab has checked the hub sensor wires repeatedly and all error codes and find them to be ok. They find the car to still have a crunching noise coming from the front end of the car, most markedly when turning the wheel to the left, but can also be heard when there is a drop in elevation, as when existing a parking lot into a slightly lower roadway. On June 14,2019, while the car was in motion and turning right at a stoplight, the same situation occurred as has when I make a left turn. The car suddenly acted as though the brakes were being applied very hard and then the car halted briefly with traffic behind me as though it would stall out. I applied the accelerator till I forced the car to move around the corner and after about a minute of fighting braking resistance, I was able to regain normal 40 mph speed with the flow of traffic. This occurred on dry pavement with no precipitation. Outside temperature was around 100 degrees. Best driving conditions with no rough roadway. Les schwab said the problem with the hub sensor and left turning is a known problem to them and said they wish it would be made a recall item as it is a common problem now. I don't feel safe driving this Chevy Impala. Love my car but won't take a chance on purchasing same make and model. I wasn't so surprised when researching these issues on the internet to find huge number of owner's having the same problems.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #26

Jan 152019

Impala

  • 107,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car's stabilitrack, barake assist, and traction control lights come on everytime I turn the steering wheel to the left. The car hesitates when giving gas making it for a dangerous situation when getting into traffic

- West Henrietta, NY, USA

problem #25

Jan 312019

Impala

  • 93,775 miles
Service stabilitrak came on when merging on to the freeway, (which involved a turn to get on the on-ramp, ) shutting down the car completely. Almost hit by a semi. I have had the bearings replaced because of stabilitrak light. How has this not been recalled" my friend and I almost died because of the faulty sensors or whatever it is with these crap bearings. I was told how the bearings are made with the sensors being placed in a completely ridiculous spot by auto parts stores. Saw plenty of complaints online with this vehicle. Same issue. How has nothing been done with this"

- Pocatello, ID, USA

problem #24

Nov 062018

Impala

  • 51,564 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While reversing out of a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the vehicle finally stopped when it crashed into an embankment. The passenger was taken to sherman elgin hospital to receive medical attention for back, neck, and shoulder injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed by the police to an unknown lot. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 51,564.

- Algonquin, IL, USA

problem #23

Jul 182017

Impala

  • 86,800 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While driving various speeds, when the contact would make a turn or hit a bump in the road, he heard an abnormal pop sound without warning. In addition, the contact observed fluid leaking in the front middle of the vehicle. The dealer (hendrick Chevrolet, 100 auto mall drive, cary, nc, 27511, 919-439-5132) advised the contact to take the vehicle to a local Chevrolet dealer since they were out of state. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (dan vaden Chevrolet savannah, 9393 abercorn St, savannah, ga, 31406) where it was diagnosed that the steering rack, brakes/ rotors, and tie rod needed to be replaced. Also, an alignment was needed. The steering rack, brakes/rotors, tie rod, and alignment were repaired. The contact stated that the engine now shakes independently without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 8-3209374202. The failure mileage was approximately 86,800.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #22

Mar 152017

Impala

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have about 72,000 miles on my car and the service stabilitrak, service brake assist and service traction control messages come on and the ABS and electronic stability control light also are on. It happens when turning left or right and also the ABS kick in and effects the steering. I have replaced the right and left hub assemblies and it has not helped no codes are found when vehicle is scanned. This has been going on for several months. Thanks for your help. This will all happen in drive way and on city roads/highways.

- Princeton, KY, USA

problem #21

Jun 062017

Impala

  • 97,000 miles
I was going slow (20 mph or less), expecting to stop with my foot on the break. A car slammed in back of me. On impact, I pushed the break all the way down to the floor, without any resistance. Just prior to that, the breaks were slowing-down the car as expected. My car slammed into the car in front of me. There were no break marks on the highway as one would expect if the breaks were working. The breaks simply failed. After releasing the breaks, shouting off the engine and later starting it up, the breaks are currently working as before the accident.

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

problem #20

Apr 292017

Impala

  • 70,000 miles
ABS/traction control failure. Both left and right wire harnesses had to be replaced ti to wire rubbing in frame and going to ground. GM has four tsb's on this known problem. ABS/traction control or federally required safety features. This need to be a full recall.

- East China, MI, USA

problem #19

Oct 142011

Impala

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While the vehicle was stationary, the passenger side air bag cover detached from the vehicle. In addition, the rear frame of the vehicle was rusted, the engine leaked transmission oil and fuel, and the brakes malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Osceola Mills, PA, USA

problem #18

Jul 302016

Impala

  • 72,000 miles
My car is trying to kill me. At a complete stop when I hit the gas the traction control comes on. My dash says service stabilitrak, traction control and ABS. I must turn off the traction control to drive my vehicle. With all that, if I drive up hill it turns the traction control on, the ABS and traction control light up and the lights stay on. When the car is restarted all the lights go away. Twice I was pulling onto the highway from a stop. That situation happened and my car didnt move. Luckily the car was able to move or else I would have severly injured. This happens with my vehicle daily. I took my car in because my alternator failed. I told the dealership about a tsb for the issue and they did nothing. It also happens a lot if im accelerating while turning a corner. The dash lights up like christmas lights.

- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA

problem #17

Jun 012015

Impala

  • 78,823 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. Whenever the contact attempted to make a turn, especially a right turn, the vehicle seemed like it was sliding. The traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,823.

- Sharpsville, PA, USA

problem #16

Apr 202016

Impala

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While attempting to accelerate the vehicle from a low speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle jerked when the brakes were independently applied. In addition, the ABS, service traction control, service stability control, and multiple warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wires connected to the sensors were faulty. The technician also stated that further diagnostic testing would be needed to determine what specific part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Manistee, MI, USA

problem #15

Mar 242016

Impala

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at various speeds and making a left turn, the vehicle would independently switch to traction control mode. In addition, an abnormal sound was coming from the brakes of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS wiring harness and the wheel hub would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

problem #14

Nov 082015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the electronic stability, traction control, and check brakes warning indicators flashed randomly. There was an abnormal noise each time the indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 02/12/16

- Oroville, CA, USA

problem #13

Nov 022015

Impala

  • 55,000 miles
When I start driving on local street each morning, I make a left turn, the car makes a loud grinding noise and my service traction control, service brake assist, & ABS light all come on. They also go on & off when I go over speed bumps make a loud grinding noise. The traction control symbol will come on and I will be stuck trying to accelerate. This is very dangerous as I have almost been hit from behind a few times due to not being able to accelerate in a timely fashion. I have gone on Chevy Impala forums looking for other drivers who may have experienced this are there are a good number of them. It seems to be an electrical problem. I finally took it to a mechanic and they could not reproduce the problem. It still happens.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

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