2012 Chevrolet Impala: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Chevrolet Impala: 3 recalls, 258 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #11V398000 · 2011 · 10,344 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Power steering fluid could flow onto the catalytic converter, and an engine compartment fire could occur.
The 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #12V377000 · 2012 · 36,413 vehicles
What's wrong: This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet impala vehicles.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V355000 · 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (58): the most common themes are electrical failure (21), stalls / loses power (16), warning light on (13).
- Stability control (54): the most common themes are noise or vibration (18), warning light on (16), stalls / loses power (14).
- Steering (49): the most common themes are steering problems (34), noise or vibration (12).
- Engine (40): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (15), warning light on (8), noise or vibration (7).
The 2012 Chevrolet Impala has 258 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 28 Impala model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 372). Complaints peaked in 2014 (51 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 48,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (505 complaints, 2 recalls), 2013 (272 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 29 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 29 | 22 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Impala problems?
Owners have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (58), stability control (54), steering (49).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Chevrolet Impala repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.