Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
While driving at no more than 65 MPH on the freeway the control arm gave out and it caused loss of control. Then it hit the barrier wall and the 2 tire on the driver side blew on contact. Towed to mechanic and they said that the tie rods also went out. The brakes and shocks and struts were new and it is regularly in the shop for diagnostics and repairs. This is inexcusable and this vehicle needs to be completely recalled and taken out of circulation.
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. I looked up the symptoms and have concluded that the hub bearings need to be replaced. Which I cannot afford seeing as how I just spent a few grand on other repairs.then I found out that the transmission is failing which makes it jerk when accelerating, drive very sluggish, and makes loud noises at idle and in motion. …
This vehicle is dangerous! Ive reported some other mechanical failures that put me in danger but not all and they still have yet to stop happening. Ive spent over 10K repairing and replacing steering, suspension drive train/ drive axle and chassis components. But nothing has helped. As of late I keep getting alignments and replaced 2 tie rods struts control arms and wheel hub and bearings only to have my tires wear down unevenly and quickly in 2 weeks. I purchased the tires brand new 6 months ago. With a new wheels and front outter tie rods as well (which I again replaced 2 weeks ago). Also replaced in 2019; front and back brake assembly (shoes, pads, rotors) front and back (both sides) control arms, left and right front strut and spring assembly. New cv axle and front hub bearings full assembly left and right (2 weeks ago)additional left front strut and spring assembly (2 weeks ago). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. When making a left turn, the ABS, traction control, service brake assist, service traction control, and service stabilitrak indicators illuminated. In addition, an abnormal grinding sound was heard. Once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, all of the messages and warning indicators turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the speed control sensor in the front driver's side wheel bearing was faulty. The entire wheel bearing was replaced, but the failures continued. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure. Jack mcnerney Chevrolet (363 ny-281, tully, ny 13159, [phone]) was contacted and wanted to charge the contact over $100 to perform the same diagnostic test as the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000.
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. I have reported prior issues prior to this date. I cannot justify repairing, maintenance or emergency, a vehicle that is less than the value of the repair cost. GM should be ashamed and punished for such crimes against consumers.
Recently my car makes a pop or low clicking noise when I turn the steering wheel to the left. I've looked into and see there was a recall on the model in 2012 but I haven't found any records of my car being repaired. I want to know if my car can possible be repaired since the recall falls in line with a previous recall. It happens when I turn almost full to the left while in motion, whether I go forward or back it makes the noise. I want to know if I can get this repaired for free. The car has been doing this since June 2019 and I've owned it since May 2016. I haven't tried to get it fixed myself due to funds and I'm worried something dangerous May happen and I have a kid, so I want to be safe. I also want to know if it was ever repaired for the first recall
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that there was an unstable motion in the front of the vehicle associated with the suspension of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and the manufacturer who stated that there was no manufacturer recall and no recommended repair solution to prevent the failure until the vehicle was further tested and diagnosed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V377000 (suspension). The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* 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.
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.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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.
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.
Suspension complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, 9% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is front › wheel bearing (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Impala suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-377 (lower arm, Aug 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Impala suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.