2012 Chevrolet Impala
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 75 of 258 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 505 in 2011 to 258 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,850 | 2,850 | 2,250–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–22 | 21–23 | 22 | 22 | 21–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 27–29 | 17–19 / 26–29 | 18 / 29 | 18 / 28–29 | 18–24 / 28–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–423 | 386–423 | 404 | 410–414 | 312–417 | |
| Complaints filed | 441 | 505 | 258 | 272 | 634 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 12 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 19 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 25 | 16 | 12 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
Brakes: 75 of 258 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Impala get?
EPA rates it 22 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
EPA estimates $2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 29 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 29 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 43 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 58 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Brakes | 75 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 49 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 39 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 27 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 · Aug 3, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 · Aug 4, 2011
Defect: 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.
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: 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.