Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. While stopped to turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belts did not retract and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a neck injury and the rear passenger sustained head injuries. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,617. The consumer stated all of the occupants were injured including whiplash and concussions. The vehicle was damaged.
On Friday July 6, 2018 I was in a auto accident my car rolled down hill and neither driver or passenger airbags deploy I was wearing my seat belt in which I fell out of . My accident took place on [redacted] my phone number is [redacted]
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. In October of 2006, while stopped due to construction, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle traveling approximately 55-60 MPH. The front passenger seat belt failed to restrain the other passenger. She injured her head and had to be hospitalized. She sustained memory loss and had to undergo therapy. In addition, the front air bags failed to deploy. On December 8, 2008 on icy road conditions, the vehicle slid into another vehicle. The seat belts failed to restrain and the air bags failed to deploy. The passenger was injured. The front passenger side fenders of both vehicles were damaged. The seat belt failure caused head injuries once again. The dealer stated that the air bag deployment depended upon the type of crash and how fast the vehicle was traveling. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, a noise emitted from the front end and the engine stalled. The driver was able to merge to the side of the road; however, the brakes failed. As a result, the vehicle continued to roll, crashed into a pole, and caught fire. The front driver side air bag failed to deploy, causing the driver's head to strike the windshield. The driver suffered injuries to the head, neck, and shoulders, which required medical attention. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The failure mileage was not available.
Air bag did not deploy causing strain of neck muscles, upper back injury, bilateral strain, contusion of multiple sites of my lower limbs bilateral. There have been several recalls on the Impala but due to negligence of GMC I am in pain my car was totaled and I have to purchase a new car. I will need assistance in price, payments, extended maintenance warranty at your cost and delivery of new vehicle to address I provide no fee also include tag payments. I contacted your complaint department last night and was told that I will be compensated in this will be taken care of as Chevrolet always takes care of their best customers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 40-50 MPH in rainy weather, he drifted to sleep and crashed into ditch. The front driver's side air bag failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the neck, back, ribs and the chest. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard and was not inspected or repaired. A police report was filed of the incident. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated was driving approximately 5 MPH and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy however, there was no personal injury. A police report was filed of the incident. The contact's front end bumper sustained moderate damage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem and they stated that there was not a recall related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I have an idea that I took to davis invention company t like it 2 years ago the car co.'s don't want because it will stop accident. Car maker said too me they sell part too. So that leaves the insurance co that pays for -the part please have someone from your research dept call me at [redacted] so I can tell you more about it
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact was unsure about the part that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. After activating the turn signal, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the air bag sensor light illuminated. While driving, the key was removed from the ignition switch and the vehicle continued to operate. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 184,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles exhibit a condition in which the driver side impact air bag inflator separates from the air bag module during deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.
Air bags
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag sensing and diagnostic modules (sdm) could experience a memory error resulting in the air bags not deploying in a crash situation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module.
Airbag complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Chevrolet Impala, 6% of the model year's 742 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-371 (side/window, Nov 13, 2000); NHTSA recall 00V-244 (air bags, Aug 29, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 20 crashes, 1 fire and 24 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.