Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 front wheel hub assembly fails after numerous replacements. The after-market parts do not resolve the problem. Thw assembly girnds and hesitates on right turns during acceleration. This causes hesitation and an unsafe manner when making turns, suddenly, or moving away from emergency vehicles. This is a flaw in the manufacturer with the wheel hub that must be addressed. Thousands of dollars in repairs. Safety is at risk when the vehicle hesitates on turns with oncoming traffic. The Dealer has inspected the part and several auto mechanics. The constant warning light in every case is the 'traction control' orange icon blinks when wheel grinds and hesitates. This will cause wear and tear to the sensor causing the ABS LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK. Service documents attached from 3 mechanics and 5 warranty replacements in 2 years.
The actuators in the air vents are faulty and I've had to have them repla ed multiple times now. They still continue to make clicking noise sounds and blow cold air in winter/hot air in summer. The trunk deck lid paint is bad. The clear coat has been coming off. Paint all over the car's clear coat has been coming off. There is also some spots where it's down to the metal showing rust/corrosion. Finally, and most seriously, is the car's Traction Control System. It goes off constantly and without warning! It's been doing this randomly, in all types of weather conditions, for some time now. It goes off under normal driving conditions. I barely pull out of a parking space, or make a slow turn, or pull out of a parking lot at a very slow speed and it just goes off. …
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. While driving at various speeds and making a left turn, the vehicle would independently switch to traction control mode. In addition, an abnormal sound was coming from the brakes of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS wiring harness and the wheel hub would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.
All 4 and 1 replacement tire or the original factory installed Goodyear Eagle tires failed due to belt seperation from the tread. One was a major failure at highway speed and l had to make an emergency exit off of the highway and get it replaced while on a trip away from home. All tires failed before rhe 30,000 mile rating. Rhe first one failed before 10,000 miles. Purxhased car from redriver Chevrolet shreveport/bossier city, la.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala equipped with Goodyear Eagle ls tires, size: p225/55r17. While driving at 40 MPH, the contact heard a loud popping noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tire was separating. The tires were replaced. The tire was original equipment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage of the tire and the vehicle was 10,756.
My Chevrolet Impala was in motion when my ABS and trac sensor keeps coming on. Now it's happening everytime I drive. It almost locks on me when I'm driving and it scares me for my safety of my kids and myself in the vehicle. I looked up to to see what the problem could be and there has been a lot of complains for that 2012 model. My lights will flash on and off (trac sensor and ABS) and it makes a weird noise
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.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, 9% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Impala wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Impala wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.