Service bulletins for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
1471 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
By topic
| PIC3278G | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; STEERING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavailable″ audio message also it may have a Diagnostic Trouble Code U1500 or B1000. Refer to diagnostics for the Diagnostic Trouble Code making sure to follow any applicable Bulletins or Preliminary Information sheets. A “Ready” or “OnStar ready” audio message heard while driving. In some cases it has been found that the customer is inadvertently pressing the ″push to talk″ button on the steering wheel controls. On rare occasions, other issues in the steering column or Steering Wheel Control system may induce this concern. |
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| PIC5588C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the programming and activation of the OnStar system. For many 2008 and prior model year GM vehicles, the programming is performed using the Tech 2 and the activation is initiated by a Service Programming System. For the 2010 and UP model year vehicles, the OnStar set-up procedure and OnStar Activation request have been combined into a single programming event called OnStar Set-up and Activation in Service Programming System. |
| PIP5029H | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Malfunction Indicator Lamp on or engine misfire, rough idle, extended crank, or crank no start in some cases. Technician will need to perform published Service Information diagnostics. If technician finds carbon, an upper engine and valve cleaning should be performed. Update added part numbers for the cleaner and model years. |
| PIP5338A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new Pico Oscilloscope data has been saved email the data to General Motors Technical Assistance Center in the subject line include “Vibration” “Business Associate Code” and the last 8 of the Vehicle Identification Number. |
| PIP4902J | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that General Motors Technical Assistance Center may ask for Global Diagnostic System 2 Session Log. Technician will need use Global Diagnostic System 2 to send the session logs to General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance on the vehicle in question. |
| GCUS-3-848 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. 44180 02 - Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles may have key codes which were inappropriately handled by a third party which could increase the risk of vehicle theft. Dealers are to replace all applicable keys and lock cylinders with new key configurations. |
| PIP5385C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician on the steps to diagnose the concern, and the steps to repair the concern of Diagnostic Trouble Code P228C setting. The technician is to inspect the fuel and readings for the High Pressure Fuel Pump. The technician is to drain and clean fuel tank and all lines if contamination is found. The technician is to replace the high pressure fuel pump and the fuel inlet line to the high pressure fuel pump. The dealer is to request the customer complete the fuel survey attached and send to the fuel system engineer at the e-mail address provided. Latest revision added model years to the PI with no other changes. |
| PIP5180A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have hard start, extended crank, or black smoke from the exhaust when starting. Technician will need to perform fuel quality test, spark test, and a compression test. Technician should also install a vacuum gauge prior to cold start and watch needle for signs of a sticking valve. Technician will need to review the latest version of PIP5029 and perform a cold compression test if the concern is only a Hard Start Cold. |
| PIT4733K | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that customers may inquire as to the availability of OnStar bluetooth on their vehicle. Technician should be advised that Vehicles with Regular Production Option Code (UPF or UWE) offer Bluetooth through the OnStar system. |
| PIC5759B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a message on the radio ?maximum number of phones are currently paired to the vehicle?. Dealer should advise the customer this is normal operation of the vehicle due to the maximum number of five phones can be paired to a vehicle. |
| PIT5236J | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). 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. Technician will need to ensure campaigns 14395 or 15086 are completed. Technician will need to use Global Diagnostic System 2 and gather information and contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance. |
| PIC4541F | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with a diagnostic tip for the OnStar back-up battery failure. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code B1446 or B1447 and the OnStar LED is red. Technician should never disconnect the main vehicle battery or remove the OnStar fuse with the ignition key in any position other than off. |
| PIP5062B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that have check engine light and a misfire. Technician will find a P0300 set. If the misfiring cylinder is creating NO or very low power, technician will need to follow these diagnostics steps. 1) Swap the ignition coil and spark plug with another cylinder. 2) Inspect the plug when out for wet or dry condition. 3) Perform an injector test with a scan tool. 4) If the plug is wet then check for a leaking or stuck open injector. 5) If the plug is dry then enrich the intake air with propane. If the severity of the misfire is less with enrichment, suspect a weak or inoperative injector driver in the Engine Control Module and replace as needed. 6) Perform a cylinder leakage test to determine if there is a valve sealing concern. If there is a valve sealing concern see the latest version of PIP5029 for recommendations. |
| PIC5491C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an OnStar system that will not power up. Technician should turn off the ignition and cancel retained accessory power. After the vehicle has powered down, remove power to the OnStar module for five minutes. After the power has been removed for five minutes, if the OnStar system is working release the vehicle. If the OnStar system is still inoperative continue with published Service Information diagnostics. Technician may need to contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center depending on the STID, Station ID, or OnStar Customer Identifier. |
| PIT3099K | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about installing General Motors Accessory pats. Technician can check Service Information for some accessories. Technician can also contact Partech for assistance. |
| PIP4957B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Hoot, Gurgle, Howl, or Swoosh noise from the engine cooling system. Technician will need to replace the thermostat housing with the correct part number. |
| PIC5904 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the OnStar system will not connect. Technician should record module info per the latest version of PIC4310 and contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center. |
| PIP5029D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Malfunction Indicator Lamp on or engine misfire, rough idle, extended crank, or crank no start in some cases. Technician will need to perform published Service Information diagnostics. If technician finds carbon an upper engine and valve cleaning should be performed. |
| PIP4112M | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating. The concern is present when coasting at low speeds of less than 15 miles per hour and then aggressively applying the throttle, or after making a hard stop followed by an aggressive throttle. This is considered normal operation of the vehicle the throttle is delayed and opened slowly up to .7 seconds to help minimize driveline lash and clunking or will have approximately .5 seconds of zero torque to allow the transmission to shift to first gear. |
| PIP4112L | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating. The concern is present when coasting at low speeds of less than 15 miles per hour and then aggressively applying the throttle, or after making a hard stop followed by an aggressive throttle. This is considered normal operation of the vehicle the throttle is delayed and opened slowly up to .7 seconds to help minimize driveline lash and clunking or will have approximately .5 seconds of zero torque to allow the transmission to shift to first gear. |
| PIC5889 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a knock, clunk, pop, creak, or snap noise from the front of the vehicle. Technician will need to inspect the front fender upper diagonal brace fasteners for proper torque. |
| PIT5214 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts are being performed on customer?s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. |
| PIT5074G | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel. |
| PIT4720C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that after replacing the Instrument Panel Cluster the exchange center is unable to program the actual mileage on the odometer or the actual mileage is unknown. Dealer will need to follow dealer to the General Motors service policies and procedures manual section 3.2.4 odometer servicing. |
| PIP5029C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Malfunction Indicator Lamp on or engine misfire, rough idle, extended crank, or crank no start in some cases. Technician will need to perform published Service Information diagnostics. If technician finds carbon an upper engine and valve cleaning should be performed. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.