2003 Chevrolet Impala Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 6%of 695 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,022miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, 6% of the 695 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,022 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My air bag lights are on all the time, I have to change my brakes ever 2 months bc they start to lock up and go through brake pads like nothing. I also have electronical problems my blinkers work when they want to an when it starts to not work my lights dim if the radio is on it turns down it's happening more an more”
NHTSA complaint #11166488, filed 2019-01, 100,000 miles“I have had incidents several times over the years where I would hit a bump in the road and my car would completely shut off. I have also had several incidents where I was traveling down the expressway and my car turned off on me. I had to shift my car into neutral and restart it to continue going. I was fortunate not to have an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10578158, filed 2014-04, 120,000 miles“Recall id 240424 received this from credit karma. Currently our car is having overheating issues. Engine cooling issues,exhaust manifold/header/muffler/tailpipe, oil leaking on to my exhaust I'm afraid to drive it, afraid it may catch fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11194403, filed 2019-04, 200,000 miles“Driving on the freeway at night no traffic. My airbags deploy destroying the inside of my car. No crash took place. Made a claim with GM my claim was denied. I am afraid to fix this car and drive it any longer. I did have the engine fire recall fixed 5 days prior to this happening.”
NHTSA complaint #10926554, filed 2016-11, 102,000 miles“I was involved in an accident on may 4, 2014. I hit another vehicle from the rear. There was extensive damage to my vehicle yet my air bag did not deploy. Also my seat belt failed to lock. As a result I hit the steering wheel with my mouth. I also hit the windshield with the top of my head. My teeth cut into my bottom lip and I had to go to the er later that night because of the pain. I feel that had the airbag deployed I wouldn't have sustained the injury that I did.”
NHTSA complaint #10587348, filed 2014-05, 156,250 milesRelated recalls
- 03V051000Feb 14, 2003On 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…Covers: Chevrolet Impala 2003, Trailblazer 2003, GMC Envoy 2003 +5 more
- 02V222000Aug 9, 2002Certain 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.Covers: Chevrolet Impala 2002–2003, Oldsmobile Bravada 2002–2003, GMC Envoy 2002–2003 +10 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 13% |
| 2019 | 5 | 18% |
| 2018 | 6 | 10% |
| 2017 | 17 | 15% |
| 2016 | 16 | 14% |
| 2015 | 29 | 10% |
| 2014 | 44 | 7% |
| 2013 | 19 | 7% |
| 2012 | 20 | 8% |
| 2011 | 37 | 7% |
| 2010 | 103 | 23% |
| 2009 | 232 | 28% |
| 2008 | 50 | 6% |
| 2007 | 49 | 8% |
| 2006 | 47 | 9% |
| 2005 | 33 | 5% |
| 2004 | 31 | 3% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 47 | 6% |
| 2001 | 47 | 6% |
| 2000 | 80 | 10% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
| 1994 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala
264 complaintsExterior lighting
103 complaintsEngine
88 complaintsEngine cooling
80 complaintsBrakes
76 complaintsOther or unknown
41 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Impala
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology