NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
50 reportsClear category filter80,569 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK THAT WENT THOUGH A BLINKING RED. HE STATED HE WAS JUST PULLING OUT. I SAW HIS VEHICLE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION ON MY RIGHT, SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO MY LEFT, TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND THE SNOW BANK. HE IMPACTED MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT FENDER,HEAD LIGHT AND BUMPER. THE …
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I WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK THAT WENT THOUGH A BLINKING RED. HE STATED HE WAS JUST PULLING OUT. I SAW HIS VEHICLE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION ON MY RIGHT, SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO MY LEFT, TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND THE SNOW BANK. HE IMPACTED MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT FENDER,HEAD LIGHT AND BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE ONSTAR AUTO CALL FOR HELP. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN CONTACT AND ONSTAR TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE PUSHED THE BUTTON. GM SAID I SHOULD HAVE PUSHED THE BUTTON BUT HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED. THEY HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED MY AUTO INSURANCE, WHO THEN CONTACTED ME FOR PERMISSION TO INSPECT AND COLLECT INFORMATION FROM MY VEHICLE. BOTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AGREED THAT MY CAR WAS TOTALED, OVER $9,500 IN DAMAGES WITHOUT BEING TAKEN APART OR PUT ON A LIFT. I WAS TAKEN AWAY BY AMBULANCE WITH INJURIES TO MY NECK, SHOULDER AND BACK WHICH I AM STILL RECOVERING FROM. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS FOUND AT FAULT AN RECEIVED A CITATION. I CALLED THE POLICE FROM MY PERSONAL CELL PHONE. I ENDED UP IN THE ER WITH INJURIES TO MY LEFT SHOULDER, NECK AND LOWER BACK WHICH I AM STILL RECOVERING FROM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694971
172,425 miles · Feb 21, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE WAITING BEHIND A CAR AT A STOP SIGN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AT FORD F-150. THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHILE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER BEING STRUCK I WAS THROWN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH WERE PUSHED A GREAT DISTANCE BY THE TRUCK. THE REAR OF THE CAR SUFFERED PRETTY SEVER DAMAGE A…
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WHILE WAITING BEHIND A CAR AT A STOP SIGN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AT FORD F-150. THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHILE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER BEING STRUCK I WAS THROWN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH WERE PUSHED A GREAT DISTANCE BY THE TRUCK. THE REAR OF THE CAR SUFFERED PRETTY SEVER DAMAGE AND WAS TOTALED. THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY PUSHED INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. ITEMS SUCH AS PHONES, LAPTOPS, AND TEXT BOOKS WERE DESTROYED MAINLY FROM THE IMPACT BUT ALSO THE RAIN. THE CAR SHUT IT SELF OFF LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE, BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I DO NOT RECALL IF MY SEAT BELT HAD LOCKED UP BECAUSE I HAVE NO MEMORY OF THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT. ON-STAR WAS ALSO NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO INFORM THEM OF THE ACCIDENT AND CALL FOR HELP, BUT I LOST A CONNECTION AND WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN THE CONNECTION. I AM SUFFERING FROM HEAD, NECK, SHOULDER, BACK, AND LEG INJURIES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY DOCTOR THAT I MAY NOT RECOVER IN MY NECK AND BACK. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED BUT HONESTLY IT INACCURATELY DOCUMENTED THE ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689789
96,187 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrash
I WAS EXCITING AN OFF RAMP WHEN I SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CRASHED HAD NO BRAKES AND KEYS WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. MY VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10684217
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2015
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10680800
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILD PASSENGER WAS KILLED IN THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILD PASSENGER WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL) TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CRASH, WHICH ADVISED OF A POSSIBLE AIR BAG FAILURE DUE TO THE IGNITION DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT.
NHTSA ODI #10671385
100,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND LEG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL…
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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND LEG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. DJR
NHTSA ODI #10670696
146,000 miles · Dec 14, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
SLID ON ICE INTO TELEPHONE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INJURIES TO FACE FROM HEAD HITTING WINDSHIELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664124
100,000 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10664018
84,000 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10663688
64,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE MESSAGE TO SERVICE THE AIR BAGS SOON APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10659405
Official recalls
2Jun 23, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Aug 3, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP14001 · Passenger Air Bag Ocs Algorithm
Opened Jul 22, 2014 · Closed Mar 7, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.
Air Bags
The Agency received a petition on November 14, 2013 requesting an investigation into the operation of the passenger air bag Occupant Classification System (OCS) software logic and algorithm.The petitioner states that due to this alleged defect, the passenger air bag may be suppressed at point of impact and not provided the occupant protection as needed in a crash.On July 22, 2014, NHTSA opened DP14-001 to further review the crash event and perform a more comprehensive search and analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).The Agency also collected manufacturers reports on the alleged OCS issue on the subject Impala vehicles and other GM and non-GM peer vehicles.After examination of the petition and available data relating to the subject vehicle's OCS and the specific crash incident where the OCS allegedly failed to operate properly, NHTSA did not identify an issue with the MY2008 Impala involved in the subject crash, nor has it identified a safety-related defect trend existing in the OCS used in the MY 2006-2008 Impala vehicles, in GM peer vehicles or in other non-GM peer vehicles.NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances. The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition.The single complaint and crash noted in the Failure Report above is the petitioner's VOQ (10568388) and can be reviewed online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10568388.