Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual Extended coverage
197 serious complaints of 258, the most about stability control (54) and steering (49); per car on the road, 0.9× this model's usual year. 3 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the electronic stability, traction control, and check brakes warning indicators flashed randomly. There was an abnormal noise each time the indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was not able to replicate and diagnose the failure.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the stability control, Nov 2015
“The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet impala. While making a left turn at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Nov 2016
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage On some 2011-2015 model year Chevrolet Caprice and 2012-2015 model year Chevrolet Impala police patrol vehicles, idling the engine for extended periods of time can prematurely wear the engine-cooling-fan motor. 14588A - Special Coverage (revised Part Information and Service Procedure sections). (GCUS-9-1066, Oct 2015)
- Extended coverage On some police patrol vehicles, idling the engine for extended periods of time can prematurely wear the engine-cooling-fan motor. 14588b - special coverage (revised to add 2016 my chevrolet impala). (14588B, Nov 2015)
- Extended coverage Police patrol vehicles, idling the engine for extended periods of time can prematurely wear the engine-cooling-fan motor. 14588c - special coverage (revised labor time). (GCUS-9-1466, Jan 2016)
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
258 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 22 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl · Drive: FWD
2012 Impala trims
| LS | LT | LTZ | Taxi |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Chevrolet reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Chevrolet aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 15 | Unknown or other (7) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 28 | Electrical system (9) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 59 | Unknown or other (16) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 116 | Unknown or other (31) | Yes |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–25 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 0 | 890 | Engine (304) | Yes |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–25 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 3 | 300 | Electrical system (96) | No |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 21–28 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 12 | 636 | Electrical system (221) | No |
| 2013 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 272 | Electronic stability control (esc) (108) | No |
| 2012 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 258 | Electrical system (58) | No |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl 3.9L 6-cyl | FWD | 21–23 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 505 | Electronic stability control (esc) (132) | No |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl 3.9L 6-cyl | FWD | 21–22 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 441 | Electrical system (132) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Impala 2016–2020 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 59 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 116 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 111 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Impala Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 9 | 779 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Impala Limited 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 779 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 300 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Impala Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 288 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Impala Limited 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 288 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 12 | 636 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Impala Limited 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 12 | 619 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 272 |
| 2012 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 258 |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 505 |
| 2010 | Chevrolet Impala 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 441 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Impala | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22 |
| 2019 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22–25 |
| 2018 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
22–25 |
| 2017 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22–25 |
| 2016 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21–25 |
| 2016 | Impala Bi-Fuel (CNG) | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2016 | Impala Limited | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 22 |
| 2015 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21–25 |
| 2015 | Impala Bi-Fuel (CNG) | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2015 | Impala Limited | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 22 |
| 2014 | Impala | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21–24 |
| 2014 | Impala Limited | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 22 |
| 2014 | Impala eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2013 | Impala | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22 |
| 2012 | Impala | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
22 |
| 2011 | Impala | Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L |
21–23 |
| 2010 | Impala | Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L, FFV |
21–22 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.