2016 Chevrolet Impala Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 14%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,950miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Chevrolet Impala, 14% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,950 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving along a four-lane divided highway with a 50 MPH limit when without warning an oncoming vehicle turned left into me at an intersection. My estimated impact speed was 35 MPH. The airbags failed to deploy. The other car's airbags deployed. I wonder if the airbags in the Chevrolet were even installed. It makes no sense to me why they did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10936840, filed 2016-12, 11,740 miles“My Impala air bag light frequently lights up. Then the passenger air bag light says off even when there is a passenger. At other times the passenger seat belt sign is on and the air bag sign says on, and there is no passenger. It happens when I start the car and randomly while driving. I had this diagnosed at a chevy dealer and the car needs passenger presence sensor and electronic control unit hardware. These parts are expensive. The Impala has 41000 miles. I believe this a safety concern for required equipment on automobiles.”
NHTSA complaint #11257750, filed 2019-09, 40,000 miles“The airbag redyness light stays on most of the time but it dose go off once in awhile for a few minutes. I understand this is extremely common and dates back to 2009 I strongly feel a recall on this issue is in order because potentially millions off people's lives are at risk. From my research dealerships are changing $300-400 to fix this problem the problem shortly returns and that want to charge you again they just say save your receipts in case a recall is issued. I strongly feel GM is fully aware of how common the issue is and apparently the cost of a recall out weighs human life.”
NHTSA complaint #11132220, filed 2018-09, 49,900 miles“Airbag maintenance light went on, while driving. Dealer inspected and indicated it was a faulty sensor on the passenger and driver side that does recognize if their is a person occupying the seat.”
NHTSA complaint #11340867, filed 2020-07, 45,000 miles“When I was driving driving on the 91 freeway going to work at the speed, approximately 65 MPH the transmission started shifting erratically like it was going to stop or it was stuck in the wrong gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #11288781, filed 2019-12, 41,000 milesAir 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 2016 Chevrolet Impala
30 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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