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2012 Chevrolet Impala LS

The 2012 Chevrolet Impala LS is a 300-hp 3.6-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $25,760 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

It makes 300 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5300 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 30 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

The Impala measures 200.4 inches long on a 110.5-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,555 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$25,760 ($36,463 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.6L SIDI DOHC V6 (LFX)
Displacement3.6 L
Horsepower300 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque262 lb-ft @ 5300 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic
1st Gear4.5
2nd Gear2.9
3rd Gear1.8
4th Gear1.4
5th Gear1
6th Gear0.7
Reverse2.9
Final Drive2.77
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway30 MPG
Combined22 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded (Flex-Fuel, E85 capable)
Tank Capacity17 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut
Rear SuspensionTri-Link
Front Stabilizer Bar1.18 in
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.63 in
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.93 x 1.18 in
Rear Brake Disc10.94 x 0.43 in
Tires & Wheels
Tires FrontP225/60R16
Tires RearP225/60R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length200.4 in
Width72.9 in
Height58.7 in
Wheelbase110.5 in
Curb Weight3,555 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (11.3 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet IMPALA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 23, 2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

NHTSA campaign 14V355000

Aug 3, 2012 · 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 12V377000

Aug 5, 2011 · STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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.

NHTSA campaign 11V398000

258 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet IMPALA

Owner Complaints

258 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet IMPALA (20 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 12 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System58
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)54
Steering49
Engine40
Service Brakes33
Power Train27
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 9, 2026 · Unknown Or Other
“To be able to afford repairs and return it to release date price close to around 27,000 to 28,000 tire got needed air awhile and radiator and the reservoir or holder got replaced still not knowing how…”
Feb 10, 2026 · Steering
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and…”
Sep 23, 2025 · Electrical System, Engine
“I have about 08/1825 had the throttle body replaced on my vehicle which assisted with the problem temporarily. Then the problem started again 09/20/25 the car act like it’s stalling while driving and…”
Dec 1, 2024 · Unknown Or Other
“Stability traction control I have had to fix it 3 times once was ball bearing and the other was a wire harness and it has to go in shop again for stability traction issues again also the door blending…”
May 10, 2024 · Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“I have trouble codes that occasionally come up even after vehicle has been serviced. The vehicle used to drive fine. Now it started miss firing. I was told the problem was coming from the engine…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 CHEVROLET IMPALA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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