VehicleVerdict

2009 Chevrolet Impala airbags problems

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala has 233 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

233

Airbags complaints

17%

Share of year

29

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

16V507000AirbagsJuly 5, 2016 · 289,254 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.

Consequence

If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.

08V517000AirbagsOctober 6, 2008 · 79 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR THAT COULD FRACTURE AT AN INFLATOR TUBE DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

DURING A PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR TUBE COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE PASSENGER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

What owners report

MY VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE STEERING. WHEN I CRASHED, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS DRIVING IN A LARGE PARKING LOT AND WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP. I WAS KNOCKED OUT BUT THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF BRAKING OR STEERING. I TOOK MY IMPALA TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 17, 2012 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have?

NHTSA has 233 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Impala airbags — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 08V517000, 16V507000.

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.