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 2003 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was traveling on a 2 lane road. A truck pulling an enclosed trailer was in front of me turned on his right blinker and began to brake to make the turn. I was traveling 77 MPH, so I moved to the oncoming traffic lane (the left lane) in order to pass the truck. At the last second the truck swerved into the left lane in order to make a wide turn. I abruptly jerked the steering wheel right to avoid collision with the truck, but the vehicle seemed to lose power steering as well as power brakes. I was unable to straighten the steering wheel back after jerking it to the right to go back into the right lane; my vehicle hit the back of the enclosed trailer and then hit steep ditch where my back passenger tire popped and the vehicle flipped onto its roof. The vehicles airbags failed to deploy even though the vehicle has significant damage to the front , top and sides of it. …
Vehicle was traveling 45 MPH when air bags deployed. No collision occurred, no one was injured, road was dry and smooth, traffic was light, road was very familiar. Called GM and they took vehicle to walter jackson Chevrolet in ringgold, ga for inspection. The cause, they found, was a persistent water leak behind the glove box which caused corrosion and caused the airbags to deploy. We have attempted to have this leak repaired multiple times, but attempts only succeeded temporarily, if at all. Found from internet searches that this is a common problem with GM vehicles. As I also drive a 2004 Impala that has had the same leak, I am concerned that its airbags could also deploy at any time. We are the second owners of this vehicle but are familiar with the car's history, as it was purchased from a family member. Kelley blue book values it at $2,000 and repairs are estimated at $4,000. …
On mon. Nov. 25, 2013 I was driving sb I-75 about 10 p.m. There was a light drizzle and as I approached the bridgeport area I noticed something across several lanes of the highway. I started to brake and hit black ice and slammed head on into a black jackknifed semi with no lights or flares. I did try to go between the midden and the truck but there was no room causing most of the front end damage on the passenger side of the hood of the car. The front end was so smashed that the battery disintegrated. My airbags did not deploy and I hit my head on the steering wheel getting a contusion on my forehead as well as two black eyes. I also had bruises on my hand, knee, and right breast. In addition to these I also had some le franc fractures to my left foot which I required surgery for. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bag would deploy. The vehicle was taken to coad Chevrolet in cape girardeau, missouri, [phone] to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) in approximately April of 2017. The dealer provided the contact with a two key ring holder. The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure according to specifications on the letter originally received, which specified that an insert in the key slot was supposed to be provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 8/28/18
ABS/traction control.when ABS and traction control lights come on makes grinding noise /brakes grab has become dangerous to have on the road. Only have 125,950 miles has been causing problems for last 5,000 miles. Took to shop mechanic.could not identify problem. Can not turn traction control off/ on manually does it on its own. .has to be a recall for this problem. As many complaints for this same dangerous problem there should be a factory recall before someone gets hurt or worse.this problem happens when in motion turning and while applying brake. City street and highway.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact crashed into the driver side of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact had to be transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained lacerations to the lips, chest bruises, and pain to the jaw. The contact was treated and released. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. The mechanic called to file the complaint because the contact does not remember most of the details of the incident. The mechanic stated that the contact, a police officer, was driving the vehicle and swerved to avoid a deer. The vehicle struck a guardrail on the front driver's side and rolled over. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle sustained major damage. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 30 MPH, both frontal air bags deployed at the same time. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road to a complete stop. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was deemed destroyed. Th repair cost would have exceeded the worth of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. While stopped at a traffic light, the contact's vehicle was crashed into from the rear by another vehicle. The contact's vehicle then crashed into a pole and the air bags failed to deploy. The driver was injured and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 226,000. Updated 10/23/2014 updated 4/7/2015
I was involved in an accident on May 4, 2014. I hit another vehicle from the rear. There was extensive damage to my vehicle yet my air bag did not deploy. Also my seat belt failed to lock. As a result I hit the steering wheel with my mouth. I also hit the windshield with the top of my head. My teeth cut into my bottom lip and I had to go to the er later that night because of the pain. I feel that had the airbag deployed I wouldn't have sustained the injury that I did.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain Mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that May not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Airbag complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Impala, 6% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-051 (inflator module, Feb 14, 2003); NHTSA recall 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 20 crashes, 0 fires and 14 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.