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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Chevrolet Impala Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
27about this part
Share
10%of 258 total for the year
Median mileage
32,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, 10% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When using e85 fuel in my flex fuel vehicle the check stability control/reduced engine power warning is activated. This occurs when the car is moving. I have contacted my dealer and GM they were unable to help me. There is a GM technical bulletin (pip5385c) on this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11063344, filed 2018-01, 135,000 miles

“Car has 68,000 miles. A few days ago the engine light came on, which disabled remote start. I didn't realize this until I went to get into the car. I'm in mi and this past week has been very cold. I jumped in and drove it to work (less than 3 miles). On the way, the traction light came on. No surprise, as it was a little slippery. No other problems. On way home from work: car starts up fine, no warning lights at all at start. Its about 13* out. …”

NHTSA complaint #10966699, filed 2017-03, 68,000 miles

“Used car purchased with approx. 72,000 miles. Major problems became apparent at 73,000 miles approx. Grinding clunking squealing noises were 1st warning signs. All of these noises occur anytime the vehicle is being driven, intermittently, but everytime I turn left or right. The AC/heater went out because the blower motor failed. Handling was horrible so replaced most of suspension parts but alignment repeatedly goes out and mechanics are idiots so they just say they are stumped and send me away. That prompted me to research on my own. …”

NHTSA complaint #11132050, filed 2018-09, 73,000 miles

“I have had major failure of all of the main function components of the steering and suspension. Multiple times I have replaced, the inner and outer tie rods, ll 4 wheelbearing assembly, sway bar links, control arms, cv axles. I have to replace brand new tires every 6,000 10,000 miles because the mechanical failures are wearing on the rubber so rapidly and al was and unevenly. I have never not had a n issue with this vehicle and have put more money in repairs then the payment, which are more than what I owe still on the remainder (financed). Also, the transmission is faliling rapidly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11337097, filed 2020-07, 127,600 miles

“My vehicle suffers from loss of power when making a square turn aka a very sharp turn. It only happens with left turns. The problem is wear of a cable near the front left tire which controls the antilock brakes and/or the traction control / stabilitrak feature. The wearing is such that when turning sharply to the left, the worn cable suffers intermittent connectivity loss. That loss of connectivity triggers traction control to briefly sever power to the front tires. I have found that manually turning off traction control prevents this problem from happening. …”

NHTSA complaint #11110292, filed 2018-07, 66,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020213%
2019518%
20181119%
20171210%
20161614%
2015165%
2014396%
20133312%
20122710%
20116413%
20106715%
2009688%
20089111%
20078013%
200610821%
2005529%
2004474%
2003304%
2002365%
2001578%
2000526%
19961113%
199525%

Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala

Electrical system
58 complaints
Electronic stability control
54 complaints
Steering
49 complaints
Engine
40 complaints
Brakes
33 complaints
Other or unknown
27 complaints
Suspension
22 complaints
Air bags
20 complaints
Wheels
19 complaints
Fuel system
18 complaints
Vehicle speed control
15 complaints
Seat belts
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology