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 2006 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Filed one complaint already about my car malfunctioning now on May 15 2025 I was.involved in a car accident and my airbags DID NOT DEPLOY!!!it was a front crash hit the front right side of the car and no airbag deployment
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH in very light rain when the vehicle exhibited an abnormal clicking noise four times successively. The front end of the vehicle then seemed to drop to the ground causing the steering wheel to seize, the traction control warning light to flash and the brakes to become inoperable. The contact also stated that the air bag erroneously deployed and knocked her unconscious. The vehicle then traveled off the roadway, into a woody area and crashed into a tree. The contact was awoken by the screams of her small children, who were sitting in the rear of the vehicle. Two child passengers were injured and suffered lacerations to the face, contusions of the shoulders, face, head injuries and a concussion. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While making a left turn at approximately 35 MPH from a residential street to an intersection, another vehicle crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the chest and a whiplash. The passenger sustained injuries to the left ankle and a whiplash. The other driver was also injured. All the occupants received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed at the scene and was towed to a police lot. The contact's insurance company had the vehicle towed from the police lot to the contact's residence for inspection. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and came to the contact's residence to investigate the failure. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at an unknown speed, the vehicle in front stopped to turn as the contact depressed the brake pedal, the wheels locked up causing the contact to rear end the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy, which was a concern to the contact as she stated that the insurance company advised her of a recall. The contact sustained injuries to the upper body but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 65 MPH attempting to avoid a deer, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail. The seat belts failed to latch and the engine failed to disengage after the crash. The air bags did not deploy. Prior to the failure, no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had to be towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 136,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving on icy road conditions, the vehicle suddenly slipped and crashed. The details of the crash were unknown. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained cuts and bruises on the hands and arms that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
I am a deputy sheriff and was driving a 2006 Chevy Impala when I lost control of the vehicle ending up in a ditch. During the collision my airbag deployed fracturing my sternum from top to bottom along with breaking a rib. Since the collision I received my mri result finding I also have two compacted disks in my neck and a compacted disk in my lower back. I am an average size man 5'9" tall 190 pounds very physically active and was wearing my seat belt and a bullet proof vest. The "black box" in the vehicle showed the impact was at 11 MPH. According to my doctor the break to my sternum would take a massive force which was also verified by my pulmonary specialist.. I have investigated hundreds of motor vehicle accidents as a peace officer and this is the first time I heard of an airbag breaking someone's sternum or rib(s). …
Tl contacts son owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 33 MPH at night, the contacts son crashed into a stalled vehicle. He struck the vehicle on the driver side door and neither the driver nor the passenger side air bags deployed. The driver sustained minor injuries to his wrist. The vehicle sustained major front end damage. The dealer was notified and stated that the crash had to have been a direct hit on the sensor. The current and failure mileages were 21,600. The consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. The consumer provided photos of the vehicle. Updated 10/10/07
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. While driving between 45-50 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle head on. She believed both vehicles were destroyed. The front end of her vehicle was crushed and none of the air bags deployed. The contact injured her back and head, and is currently seeing a doctor. Her six month old daughter was seated in the rear passenger seat and sustained a black eye. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed and the contact has pictures. The current and failure mileages were 94,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while stopped at a median, another vehicle that was driving approximately 55 MPH crashed into the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a impound lot. An independent mechanic repaired the vehicle however, the contact stated that the horn and the drivers side headlight failed shortly afterward. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Airbag complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, 9% of the model year's 524 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2006 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 2006 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 31 crashes, 0 fires and 27 injuries and 1 death 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.