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 2005 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On [redacted] in [redacted], while at a complete stop, without cause or prior warning, airbags violently deployed causing property damage to the entire instrument panel and windshield, and bodily injuries.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the front wheel made a noise. The contact attempted to slow down by depressing the brake pedal and heard a loud banging noise under the front end by the accelerator pedal. The contact attempted to pull the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road; however, the steering failed. The vehicle drifted into the left lane and into oncoming traffic. The vehicle crashed into a retainer wall. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. It was diagnosed that the bushing failed and the subframe separated and disconnected from the vehicle. Also, the steering failed and the entire front end of the vehicle fell apart. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, a speed bump was encountered and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle stalled and crashed into an embankment and guardrails. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a back injury that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000(electrical system). The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. After shutting off the vehicle, it would restart after approximately five minutes. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash where another vehicle crashed into the rear and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were unknown minor injuries sustained that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. After the contact stopped at a stop sign, another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not inspected by the insurance company or a dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 68,000. *
August 2013 involved in a car accident, quick deceleration, frontal crash. Other driver pulled into traffic, with her view blocked of moving traffic approaching her. Once the truck driving in front of me turned she was stopped in the roadway. I attempted to stop my car quickly but did not have more than 4 seconds in which to stop my car. I impacted the front end, driver side quarter panel, and engine compartment of a 2005 Honda civic. The 2005 Chevrolet Impala shoulder harness locking mechanism failed. The airbag did not deploy at the time of the accident. My body propelled forward upon braking and I impacted with a fully extended shoulder harness. The length of the shoulder harness only extends to 1.5 inches from the steering wheel, my body continued to travel beyond the extension of the harness causing injury to my left clavicle, upper sternum, neck, shoulders and ribs. …
In March 5 2013 I was driving while a dog ran out in front of me. The car next to me and myself came to a complete stop as the owner came and got her dog from the street. As soon as the owner got the dog a car doing 50+MPH in a 35mph zone was texting and driving and the driver didn't even attempt to brake. The driver rear ended me so hard that the car moved over 15ft. My airbags never deployed and also my seat belts never locked so due to that my face broke the windshield. I suffered a lot of injuries. Broke my left foot, really hurt my neck and shoulder. If my airbags would have deployed I would not of been badly injured like I was. The 2005 Impala was completely totaled. The impact pushed the trunk into the rear seats.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while making a left turn, she was involved in a head-on crash where the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained a concussion, injuries to the chest and neck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the technician was unable to determine what prevented the air bag from deploying. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,000. Updated 10/02/14 the consumer stated the air bags were not investigated. Updated 3/9/15
Driving 2005 Chevy Impala on interstate 95 north when vehicle unexpectedly went off the road and crashed into the guardrail, vehicle bounced off of guardrail and spun around three times before coming to a stop with vehicle resting in the middle of the highway in the corresponding direction of traffic. The airbags did not deploy.the vehicle would not immediately start, but after two or three attempts, the vehicle started. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder of highway. The vehicle did not start again and had to be towed from accident scene. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.
Dt: the contact stated while driving applied brake pressure and the brakes did not stop the vehicle. The ABS did not activate at any time during this incident. The contact's vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front. The passenger seat didn't restrain the passenger during impact. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy, and the OnStar service did not work. The vehicle was towed to a dealership. The insurance agency was investigating the issue with the brakes. The vehicle is currently at a dealer for repairs. Updated 12/07/05.
Airbag complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Chevrolet Impala, 5% of the model year's 609 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 1 recall 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 2005 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 20 crashes, 0 fires and 22 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.