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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,342 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 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Jul 302016

Impala

  • 72,000 miles

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

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 #13

Jul 062016

Impala

  • 118,535 miles
About 8 months ago my 2012 Chevy Impala started causing issues when the engine light appeared with the reduced engine light. Taking it to a dealership, they put the computer on it & were unable to determine what the codes were related too. I then searched google for any issues comparing to mine and found several complains about the same thing. Following the repairs that others have performed, I tried the same thing with no results. At the moment I am looking at replacing the throttle body sensor with the hopes that it will be fixed. The safety concerns is that my vehicle will be fine for a few minutes but then the reduced engine light appears and my car will continue at very little speeds and the shifting from gear to gear will go up to 5 amps. My car will then start bucking like a horse in the middle of traffic until it stabilizes and I'm able to run at good speeds. My car has not yet stalled but with it reducing speeds in the middle of traffic, it causes safety concerns as a fast moving car can come up me and hit me. I hope this gets attention from GM as I have read that several others that had the same issues. This is my second message for the same issues and I do not recall having received a response from my 1st complaint. Please advise why GM has not made a recall on this issue and give their customer's a better driving experience. Thank you.

- Levelland, TX, USA

problem #12

May 042016

Impala

  • 66,453 miles
Every time I turn warning lights for my stablizing system and ABS then the brakes starts to lock up sometimes with it also traction control also turn on and off this is every time I drive the car have taken it to 3 dealers no one can find the problem this is every time I start the car and drive on the streets or on the highway.

- Villa Park, IL, USA

problem #11

Apr 282016

Impala

  • miles

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

The vehicle would not stop after applying brakes made awful noise and I rear ended a car. It was clear, dry and sunny at the time and should have been able to stop. I believe the stabilitrak system is faulty. The tire pressure sensor has now started coming on since the car accident. The dealer that the body shop took the car to after it fixed the front bumper said it's not the tire sensor that's bad.

- Irwin, PA, USA

problem #10

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 #9

Feb 042013

Impala

  • 34,000 miles
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.

- Woodville, MS, USA

problem #8

Jan 052015

Impala

  • 30,000 miles

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

I purchased the vehicle brand new in April of 2012. I reported the issue in January 2015. When I start my vehicle, especially from a cold start, I proceed to reverse out of a parking spot and as I turn the steering wheel to the left. The traction control light illuminates. As I stop the vehicle, I put it in drive and while turning the steering wheel toward the left as I proceed to move. The traction control light comes on a second time but the ABS locks the left wheel (no ABS light). I hear a metal grinding for less than 3 seconds and then it releases. It happens in all weather conditions but this issue is extremely dangerous, especially if it happens on the highway. I brought the vehicle to the dealership multiple times and they are completely clueless on how to fix the issue. I believe Chevy is aware of the issue and won't issue a recall because it affects millions of Impala and even other vehicles as well. (cost = money/ loss of profit) I did research and noticed there is a bulletin released on this specific issue but they don't know how to fix the problem. I am wondering if Chevy is waiting on someone to get killed in order to address this problem.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #7

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 #6

May 262013

Impala

  • 35,000 miles
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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 092013

Impala 6-cyl

  • 49,000 miles
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.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #4

Jun 132014

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles

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

While driving my car highway speed was 65mph, at that rate of speed my vehicle was picking up speed and when I went to press on my brakes, it was if I was driving on ice and my car was skidding. Two days later I stopped for gas and my car wouldn't start, after my 3rd attempt, it stuttered hard time turning over. Once it did I turned it off but the car was still running. I did this several times. Very scared to drive my car back home because I'm out of town. My lights says I have low right tire pressure but I don't, it's back left tire for some odd reason.

- Eastpointe, MI, USA

problem #3

Mar 142014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 37,937 miles
I was driving and after making a left turn, my service traction control, service brake assist, and ABS light all popped on. It went on and off for many days as I would stop and then re-start the car. I finally took it to a Chevy dealership and was told they tested the front ABS connector and adjusted the timing. Lights and codes went off for about two weeks then popped back on upon making a left turn. In addition to the lights and codes, the car now make a loud grinding noise and the car stalls. I have been at a light in the middle of making a turn when the car will stall and not let me take off- 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.

- Hobart, IN, USA

problem #2

Feb 152014

Impala 6-cyl

  • 36,800 miles
In Feb. 2014 started getting intermittent computer messages concerning, service traction control, service stabilator(?) control, reduced engine power. Message occurs randomly, and stays for a day or less, then goes to just showing the engine icon, then clears self. Car was purchased used (16000 miles) from dealer. Error codes P2138 and P2122 were showing per dealer. Car was owned in rental fleet in East elmhurst, NY (queens, severely affected) during hurricane sandy, but showed no service as being done, afterwards. Next entry showed car in upstate NY, on dealers lot. Have been told (3/25/2014) that part was ordered and would be in in a couple days. 17 days later, told ":part not in--will call when here" and replace at no charge. Still waiting for call from dealer.

- Norwood , NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 302013

Impala

  • 35,118 miles
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 Impala 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.

- Pelzer, SC, USA

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