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 2004 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car has turned off 3 times while sitting at a light and took hours to turn back on, car shudders when breaking sometimes and abs/traction control/air bag lights will come on, and will shudder and turn off while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle but the air bags failed to deploy. The details of the crash were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The driver sustained a concussion from hitting her head on the steering wheel of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
@ 65mph traffic came to a slow down,I had plenty of space 2 stop if I had 2 in my lane. I applied the brakes & the wheels locked up & was skidding out of control,it surged into the lane left of me & the rear slid over where I was sideways. I tried to control my steering but it would not respond,then it went into the lane right of me nearly missing a truck it shot over to the right lane and was now on the shoulder where I still had no control of any steering at all.then the car slammed into a concrete retaining wall and finely the car stopped.the air bags driver and passenger never inflated. Damage to the front end was a total loss including the hood,both right and left side fenders had crunched, the driver and passenger doors bent then the battery died.I already replaced a battery three weeks ago from some kind of electrical system was malfunctioning.
Tl-* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While sitting at a stop sign a pick up truck crashed into the rear end of consumer's vehicle and caused it to crash into the driver's side door of another vehicle. The driver side airbag did not deploy. The passenger , a child, was in the rear seat on the driver's side during the crash, the rear seat belt disengaged, and hit the passenger in the eye, resulting in a black eye and a concussion. The driver sustained back injuries. The road conditions were clear at the time of the crash. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not inspected to determine the reason the airbag did not deploy or why the rear seat belt disengaged. The failure and current mileage were 36,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 60 MPH, the front passenger and driver side air bags deployed without warning or impact. After the deployment, a safety warning indicator illuminated, but the contact was unsure of which one. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact sustained injuries to the left hand and shoulder, but no medical attention was required. The police was on the scene, but no report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that they would send an inspector to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Collision on the interstate. I was driving approximately 45 MPH when I struck the vehicle in front of me. Traffic was heavy and they slammed on their brakes. I had the brakes all the way to the floor but the car did not stop. Their car was completely stopped when I hit them and knocked them into another vehicle. My air bags failed to deploy. Body shop owner stated that it appeared that the wires to the airbag had been sliced during the accident. Front bumper, hood, and fenders had to be replaced. Radiator and condenser had to be replaced. Body of the vehicle had to be squared. Rotors and brakes replaced.
My father was in an accident where all the sides and front of the car was smashed. The air bags never deployed even when the car hit head on. This is supposed to be a safety feature? It does not work so what is it there for? Thank goodness he had his seatbelt on or he would have been seriously hurt. The Chevrolet company needs to redo their safety features for the airbags. My husbands 1996 Chevy silverado 4x4 was totaled 4 years ago and the air bag never deployed in that either. This is not a good thing if there is a problem with them deploying.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while waiting at traffic light, another vehicle traveling on the opposite side of the road attempted to make a right turn and crashed in the middle of the both driver side and rear passenger side door. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained pain and mild bruising on neck, back, knee and both arms. The vehicle was destroyed. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the wheels seized and caused the contact to crash into a concrete barrier. The air bags did not deploy. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000. Updated 09/17/14 updated 02/12/2015
While making a turn in a private parking lot I hit a concrete parking curb at 5 MPH or less causing both front air bags to deploy. Only damage appears to be from air bag deployment. Since I hit the curb at such a slow speed I don't think the air bags should have deployed. Car towed to dealer to have air bags replaced and damaged windshield repaired. Also requested dealer check for any other damage.
Airbag complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 3% of the model year's 1,073 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 0 fires and 26 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.