Problems · by component

2008 Chevrolet Impala air bags problems

50 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Impala cite air bags, 6% of all 810 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
50
6% of all complaints
Crashes
31
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH while in cruise control, a group of birds flew out from under a ditch which caused the contact to swerve and lose control of the vehicle. As a result of the incident, the contact crashed into the ditch. The air bags did not deploy upon impact which caused the contact's face to hit the steering wheel. The contact was later transported to the hospital via an ambulance where she was treated for a concussion. Additionally, the contact suffered several cuts and bruises to her face with additional bruising to her left leg and hip. A police report was filed; however, the report was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11630566
“The engine electric brakes all shut down steering wheel locked up and my daughter smashed into telephone pole on August 31 2023. Airbags didn't deploy for front and side airbags were deflated no air.no warning lights prior that I'm aware of. My daughter was injured PCS and cervical sprain”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11542674
“ABS OR AIRBAG FAILURE DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND READ THAT THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE THAT NEEDS FACTORY SERVICE TO AVOID BODILY INJURIES OR DEATH. TRANSMISSION ISSUES CAUSING ERRATICALLY SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING OR TAKING OFF FROM A STOP”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2019Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11269502
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,867.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2019Air bagsODI 11257730
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD EITHER HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS OR REPLACE THE WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO CHECK IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT ALL THE SEAT BELTS BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2019Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11242841
“"TAKATA RECALL" ON TUESDAY JUNE 19TH I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 CHEVY IMPALA I WAS RAN OVER THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE I ALSO HAD A PASSENGER IN THE CAR ALSO BEFORE WE WAS RAN OFF THE ROAD I WAS GOING ATLEAST 45MPH ... THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SMASHED INTO A BIG TREE NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS CAME OUT & THE CAR WAS TOTALED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11103554

Showing 6 of 50 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.