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severe 49 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Of the 49 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Steering accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Power steering fluid could flow onto the catalytic converter, and an engine compartment fire could occur.
Buyer takeaway: A used 2012 Impala carries serious steering and suspension risk: owners report power steering failures, locking steering wheels, fractured steering knuckles and tie rods, and constant warning lights that dealerships can't fix. Expect expensive and repeated repairs to steering, suspension, and wheel components even at moderate mileage.
Owners report multiple distinct steering failures on 2012 Impala models. Power steering loss is common—vehicles suddenly become difficult or impossible to turn the wheel, sometimes while parking or at low speed, other times unexpectedly on the road. Several owners describe the steering wheel locking up solid, especially during left turns, requiring restart of the engine to regain function. A few report the steering hose rubbing against the frame and leaking fluid onto the catalytic converter, creating fire risk.
Steering knuckles and tie rods are another pattern. Multiple owners report fractured steering knuckles, popping noises during turns, and tie rods breaking mid-drive. One owner who inspected the vehicle found the steering knuckle fractured at the tie rod attachment point; others heard progressive popping and grinding in the front suspension, especially turning left.
Control arm failures also appear. One narrative describes a lower control arm fracturing, causing sudden loss of steering control and a crash into a curb. Tire wear is severe in multiple accounts—owners replace brand-new tires every 6,000 to 10,000 miles due to alignment and suspension issues that persist despite repeated repairs to tie rods, struts, control arms, and wheel bearings.
Traction control and ABS warning lights activate frequently during turns, often accompanied by grinding noise, loss of engine power, and hesitation. Some owners report the car nearly stalling or completely shutting down mid-turn. One narrative mentions worn wiring in the engine compartment that ran to the electronic control module, causing stalling on left turns.
Same Chevrolet Impala steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Power steering becomes inoperable or severely stiffened, making the steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn. Occurs both at low speeds (parking) and highway speeds. Some cases involve steering hose rubbing frame and leaking fluid.
When: Ranges from 5,000 to 127,000 miles; multiple cases occur while parking or making turns
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly very stiff or locks solid; Unable to turn wheel manually; Loss of power assist sensation; Smoke and burning smell from engine compartment (hose near catalytic converter); Requires engine restart to regain steering function
Codes mentioned: 11V398000 (Steering recall), 14V355000 (Electrical system)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repair estimates cited around $1,600; includes power steering line replacement, power steering rack replacement, steering extension repair. Some dealers blamed accident history; one owner reported power steering hose burned from proximity to catalytic converter.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V398000 issued for steering issues; Recall 12V377000 for control arms (police vehicles only per GM); power steering hose routing defect acknowledged in some TSBs; some dealers claim defects are normal wear or result of accidents.
Steering knuckle fractured or broken at the tie rod attachment point. Owner who inspected vehicle found steering knuckle fractured at the steering knuckle arm attachment to tie rod, creating risk of complete steering loss if knuckle shears off.
When: 41,000 miles; vehicle never in accident or hit curbs/potholes
Symptoms owners cite: Popping noise from passenger-side front suspension/steering area; Noise progressively worse over one month; Visible fracture at steering knuckle arm; Occurs primarily when turning left, sometimes right
Repairs/costs cited: Owner inspected and found fracture; concerns steering knuckle may have been manufactured incorrectly (cast aluminum). Owner cited research showing same issue on 2000–2013 Impala models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for this defect according to owner; owner called for recall to address bad steering knuckles.
Tie rods break or fail, resulting in loss of steering control. Multiple accounts of outer and inner tie rod replacement, and at least one sudden break while vehicle stationary turning wheel.
When: 18,000 to 37,000 miles in reported cases; some owners replaced multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Snapping or cracking sound when turning wheel; Sudden loss of steering control; Popping or clicking noise when turning, especially left; Vehicle unable to maneuver after failure
Codes mentioned: 12V377000 (Control arm/suspension recall, police vehicles only)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repair cost cited as $1,546.19 for tie rod and steering gear replacement at 37,000 miles. Multiple owners report replacing tie rods repeatedly (inner and outer).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 12V377000 exists for lower control arms but applies only to police vehicles according to GM; owners report same defect on civilian vehicles. No free repair for civilian vehicles.
Lower control arm fractured, causing immediate loss of steering control and vehicle crash. NHTSA campaign 12V377000 specifically addresses this for front lower control arms that may fracture.
When: 18,000 miles; another account at unknown mileage during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes uncontrollable; Vehicle veers or crashes; No warning before failure
Codes mentioned: 12V377000 (suspension recall)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner found fractured control arm after crash into curb; another owner hit barrier wall at 65 mph. No repair cost data provided in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 12V377000 issued but limited to police vehicles only; civilian owners question why civilians excluded and cite similar defects on civilian models.
Steering wheel locks or seizes, especially during left turns or in reverse, sometimes requiring engine restart to unlock. Can occur at low speeds or highway speeds.
When: Various speeds and mileages from 20 to 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly locks solid during turn; Unable to turn steering wheel manually; Occurs specifically on left turns or when reversing and turning left; Sometimes occurs when it rains; Requires engine restart to regain steering
Codes mentioned: 11V398000 (Steering), 14V355000 (Electrical system)
Repairs/costs cited: One certified mechanic was unable to diagnose cause. One dealer diagnosed need for steering and extension repair. Dealers often unable to reproduce problem during inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V398000 and 14V355000 mentioned but vehicles often not repaired under recall or recall eligibility unclear to owners.
Service Traction Control, Service Brake Assist, ABS, and Stabilitrak warning lights illuminate repeatedly, often during turns. Accompanied by grinding noise, loss of engine power, hesitation, and in some cases stalling or near-stalling.
When: Various mileages from 17,000 to over 86,000 miles; begins early on some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights activate during turns, especially left turns; Grinding or clunking noise from suspension/steering; Engine power loss or hesitation when turning; Traction control engages unexpectedly; Vehicle slows abruptly or nearly stalls mid-turn; Brakes lock up or engage unexpectedly; Lights come on and off intermittently or stay on
Codes mentioned: ABS/Traction Control circuit fault, Wheel speed sensor codes (inferred from wiring harness issues)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealerships unable to find problem despite reset of sensors, tire sensor replacement, and sensor ID reset. Some owners cite wiring harness to wheel speed sensors as suspected cause; others report unnecessary replacement of wheel hubs and bearings without fixing root issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships test front ABS connector and reset sensors without resolution; one TSB may address wiring harness issue but not consistently applied; some owners report forums show widespread issue affecting many 2012 Impalas.
Front wheel hub assembly fails repeatedly. One owner reports replacing both front hubs a minimum of 6 times since 2013, with continuous defects.
When: Early failures reported; one owner replaced 6+ times in approximately 6 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering goes out; Brakes grind; Traction control initiates; Loss of power to vehicle while in motion; Occurs from complete stop to motion, in reverse, and when turning either direction
Codes mentioned: Wheel speed sensor related
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement hub assemblies; one owner cites part #88964168 and reports GMC factory error in quality control.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall specifically for premature hub failure noted in narratives.
Vehicle engine stalls or dies completely when making left turns, sometimes at low speeds or in heavy traffic. Can be intermittent or progressive. One case involved worn wiring in engine compartment.
When: 55,000 miles and lower (in case with wiring issue); various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies mid-left turn; Requires restart; Sometimes ignition acts stuck; Grinding noise when turning; Loss of engine power; Vehicle stalls and does not allow acceleration
Codes mentioned: Electrical wiring issue
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer found wires worn through in engine compartment running to electronic control module; dealer rerouted wires with labor-only charge. No parts replaced. GM declined warranty coverage, claiming normal wear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM service adviser and district specialist took opposing positions: adviser said defective wire harness, specialist later claimed normal wear and tear; no warranty coverage provided.
Vehicle becomes unstable or uncontrollable at highway speeds, pulling toward shoulder or opposite traffic lane despite driver input. May be related to suspension and steering geometry issues.
When: During highway driving at 45–50+ mph
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of directional control at speed; Vehicle pulls to shoulder or into traffic despite steering input; Difficulty maintaining lane; Severe instability mid-acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Owner attributes to front-wheel-drive layout with concentrated engine power; no repair attempted or offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None noted; owner suspects computer system issue and calls for GM fix.
Power steering hose routed too close to catalytic converter, hose burns and leaks fluid onto converter, creating fire and smoke. Original defect in manufacturing; vehicle made 2 months after recall date.
When: 33,000 miles; vehicle manufactured 2 months after recall issued August 11, 2012
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from under hood; Strong smell through air vents; Steering loss; Visible hose burn and fluid leak
Repairs/costs cited: Estimated repair cost not provided; original repair shop (collision center) declined responsibility; dealership blamed prior accident despite vehicle never in accident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V398000 issued August 11, 2012 for power steering hose routing too close to catalytic converter; however, vehicle manufactured after recall date was not included under recall eligibility. Dealership refused coverage, claiming defect resulted from prior collision repair.
Chronic failures of multiple suspension and steering components with repeated replacements. Owner spent over $10,000 on repairs with no permanent resolution.
When: Progressive failures over several years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Tire wear (new tires worn in 6,000–10,000 miles); Uneven and rapid tire wear; Persistent steering and suspension instability; Vehicle continues losing steering despite repairs; Components fail repeatedly after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced: tie rods (2), struts, control arms, wheel hub and bearings, brake assembly (front and back), CV axle. Total repairs exceed $10,000. Tires replaced multiple times despite being brand new.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recalls applicable to chronic wear pattern noted.
Synthesized from 49 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving t 25 MPH and making a right turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle without warning. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
This vehicle, in early november 2019, at approximately 41,000 miles began making a "popping" noise from the passenger-side front suspension/steering area, primarily while turning left (and sometimes when turning right). The noise became progressively worse over a one month period. Suspecting it may be a defective tie rod end (passenger side), I inspected the vehicle (on 12/21/2019) and found…
It's a meaningful issue. 49 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
Across the 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 33,500 and 95,312 miles, with the median around 58,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,500; a quarter make it past 95,312. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.