Illustration2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AFTER DEALERSHIP REPAIRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FRAME RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
2009 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
790–25K
10625–50K
14150–75K
13875–100K
148100–150K
51150K+
663 reports with mileage · 161 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 232 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 224 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 179 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports9 fire reports34 injury reports
What owners actually said
824 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V507000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,912.
TAKATA RECALL - NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE TYPE IN MY CAR BUT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS FAILED. I CONSTANTLY HAVE A SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT THAT COMES ON AND OFF. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THIS SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED IN SEVERAL OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL, EVEN SOME RECALLS BUT NOT YET TO MY VIN
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, DAYS LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN.…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, DAYS LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AGAIN WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR STILL LIT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WE BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL FOR WIRING HARNESS REPAIR BACK IN AUGUST BECAUSE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. DEALERSHIP WRAPPED THE WIRES. 3 WEEKS LATER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US WIRES WERE DAMAGED AND WIRING CONNECTOR NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS NOT PART OF RECALL. PAID $329. WHEN I …
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WE BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL FOR WIRING HARNESS REPAIR BACK IN AUGUST BECAUSE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. DEALERSHIP WRAPPED THE WIRES. 3 WEEKS LATER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US WIRES WERE DAMAGED AND WIRING CONNECTOR NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS NOT PART OF RECALL. PAID $329. WHEN I READ RECALL ONLINE, IT CLEARLY STATES THE WIRES SHOULD BE INSPECTED BEFORE APPLYING THE TAPE AND IF NOT WIRING SHOULD BE REPLACED FOR NO CHARGE. I FILED COMPLAINT WITH GM AND THEY CONTACTED DEALERSHIP WHO STILL SAYS WIRES ARE NOT PART OF RECALL. ADVISED WORD FOR WORD OF RECALL AND NO HAVE TO GO TO DEALERSHIP WITH PAPERWORK. MY CHILD IS DRIVING THIS CAR AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE COULD HAVE LEFT IT AS IS. REALLY?
MY COMPUTER IS ALERTING ME TO "SERVICE STABILITRACK". BASED ON SOME QUICK SEARCHES, IS SEEMS THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. WHERE DO I FIND OUT WHAT TO DO AND WHETHER OR NOT IT IS COVERED UNDER A RECALL? IT SEEMS TO LOSE POWER AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING.
WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT NEVER STAY OFF AFTER SO MANY REPAIRS WE SEE NO HOPE OF IT BEING REPAIR. CHEVROLET IS DOING ANOTHER COVER UP JUST LIKE THE IGNITION SWITCH. WE HAVE SPENT OVER 700 ON REPAIRS ONLY TO STILL HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON.
I GOT AN ALERT THAT I SHOULD "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND THAT "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". THE CAR BEGAN JERKING. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND HAS ACTUALLY CAUSED THE CAR TO SHUT OFF WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED (65MPH).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO GEAR, THE ACTUATORS WOULD LOCK THE DOORS. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK, THE DOOR ACTUATORS WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FUNCTION NO LONGER OPERATED AS IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO GEAR, THE ACTUATORS WOULD LOCK THE DOORS. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK, THE DOOR ACTUATORS WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FUNCTION NO LONGER OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
A FIX AIRBAG WARNING COMES UP ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. IT IS INCONSISTENT- AS IT WILL COME ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR, BUT MOST OFTEN WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL STAY ON FOR 1 MINUTE TO MAYBE 5 MINUTES, THEN GOES OFF. IT STARTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAS COME ON APPROX 5 TIMES IN ABOUT 30 DIFFERENT USES OF THE CAR.
Official recalls
516V507000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification; Electrical System:wiring
Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
Consequence: If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions. Both conditions increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 36110.
14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jun 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.
12V377000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
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.
10V480000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Oct 13, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELTS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHORS TO THE PRETENSIONERS AND, IF NECESSARY, REINSTALL THE ANCHORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
08V517000 · Air Bags:frontal
Oct 6, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR THAT COULD FRACTURE AT AN INFLATOR TUBE DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DURING A PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR TUBE COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.