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Air bagsPart report

2009 Chevrolet Impala Air bags Problems

Complaints
232about this part
Share
28%of 824 total for the year
Median mileage
78,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 232 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, 28% of the 824 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 28 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.

“Purchased vehicle and the following day the right front headlight went out and had to be taken in for electrical problem. Later about 4 months after purchase the air bag in the front passenger seat started to make a knocking sound and then stopped. Just recently it began making the knocking sound again when I open my car door, as well as close it. It lasts about 3 minutes and then stops.”

NHTSA complaint #11351154, filed 2020-08, 134,355 miles

“I bought this car from the car lot and the sensors keep going off, the seat belt doesn't lock up, sometimes it says engine is hot turn of AC when it isn't on. And when turning it's will sometimes make a vibrating noise that won't allow me to go then the accelerator kicks back in to go.”

NHTSA complaint #11324250, filed 2020-05, 230,000 miles

“My car went into the shop on 9/20/2016 for the airbag recall. A little over a week later and the service airbag light is still coming on and off. The recall did nothing to fix the problem. Reading up I am not the only one who is still having issue. Please issue a recall that will fully solve this problem instead of just a week long bandaid”

NHTSA complaint #10914819, filed 2016-10, 100,200 miles

“Approx 2 weeks after having a recall repair completed for passenger presence sensor 36110, my airbag light is on. Now the dealer wants to charge me $250 to clean connectors. How would they get dirty? Dlr says they have to remove both fronts seats to do this repair. I never had an airbag light prior to the recall repair.”

NHTSA complaint #10969057, filed 2017-03, 125,000 miles

“The car started to state the airbag needed servicing. I looked up the issue online and saw the recall for my make and model. Recall number 273230. The NHTSA number is 16v507000. Separately, the steering wheel is incredibly stiff when starting the car, and while making turns. Need both arms to force the car to turn. There is no issue with power steering fluid. The steering loosens a small amount when applying pressure on the gas.”

NHTSA complaint #11208860, filed 2019-05, 85,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020213%
2019518%
2018610%
20171715%
20161614%
20152910%
2014447%
2013197%
2012208%
2011377%
201010323%
200923228%
2008506%
2007498%
2006479%
2005335%
2004313%
2003396%
2002476%
2001476%
20008010%
199611%
199512%
199417%

Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet Impala

Electrical system
224 complaints
Engine
179 complaints
Vehicle speed control
130 complaints
Electronic stability control
108 complaints
Other or unknown
89 complaints
Brakes
75 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
68 complaints
Steering
57 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
22 complaints
Engine cooling
21 complaints
Seat belts
21 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 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