VehicleVerdict

2003 Chevrolet Impala airbags problems

The 2003 Chevrolet Impala has 41 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 4% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

41

Airbags complaints

4%

Share of year

21

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

03V051000AirbagsFebruary 14, 2003 · 130 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

02V222000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 133,221 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

What owners report

WHEN I TURN IGNITION SWITCH ON 10 TIMES AND FINALLY STAR RUNNING ENGINE THEN LATER I SAW THAT AIRBAGS LIGHT ON 5 MINS SELF OFF ALL CLUSTERS BUT STILL RUNNING ENGINE. THEN, I TURN OFF IGNITION THEN TURN BACK ON SAME THINGS 15 TIMES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH CAR. THE BATTERY IS GOOD.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 7, 2017 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2003 Chevrolet Impala have?

NHTSA has 41 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Impala airbags — 4% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 02V222000, 03V051000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.