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 2015 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light and the front passenger's seat belt warning light illuminated with an audible beeping sound. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V465000 (Air Bags). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the air bag warning light fluctuated on and off. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic suggested that the failure might be with the passenger occupant detection system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 131,002.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed inadvertently without a warning light. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was still awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
It appears that my vehicle had a special coverage bulletin titled "N172097060 - Special Coverage Side Blind Zone Alert Module Water Intrusion" This special coverage only covered vehicles for 6 years or 80,000 miles. This week I started experiencing problems with my vehicles side blind zone alert system. From everything that I have read it appears to be the same issue that led to the special coverage mentioned above being issued. However, my vehicle is now outside of the specified coverage limitations. I believe that it should still be covered as it still remains a safety issue. Regardless of how many years or miles have passed. Thank you.
Service airbag light repeatedly activates and goes off with passenger in vehicle. There was a previous recall Chevy #15400. NHTSA campaign #15V465000. Upon contacting the dealership about the issue. Claim was made that they didn't have a recall matching that number. My vehicle is within the production dates and has the heated and vented seats.
passenger front seat presence sensor says someone is sitting in the seat even when empty. also seat belt warning light and audible alert is affected. I occasionally have four small children In the vehicle which is concerning because the airbag could go off when a child is sitting in the front seat.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SZBA) system continues to be an issue with this vehicle. Sensing module(s) on inner left or right side of bumper cover fail due to water intrusion. When sensing module fails, "Service Side Detection System" message will appear on driver information center on instrument cluster. General Motors has previously issued a special coverage "N172097060", which is available on NHTSA website. As indicated in the special coverage document, if the issue is ignored, "the condition could result in the corruption of LS GMLAN that may result in the loss of some driver interface functions such as cluster, infotainment, displays, chime, and passenger presence detection (passenger airbag could be suppressed). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brakes failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 7,027. Updated 01/12/16
Takata recall. I was driving down a county road, I sneezed and hit my face on the steering wheel and hit a tree at 40 MPH. My air bags did not deploy at 40mph in a frontal crash. It totaled the car. Bent the frame and frame around the motor. My passenger was hurt worse than me. Why didn't my air bags deploy?
My check engine light came on while driving. I told my car to the mechanic and I was told my mass engine airflow needed to be replaced. Two days later the check engine light was on again. Return to the mechanic and was told my o2 sensors needed to be replaced. Replaced as recommended. I was driving down the highway and the light came on again along with a message that said reduce speed. At this point, my car slowed down by itself while I was going 60 miles per hour. I could not accelerate. Luckily there were no cars behind me. Reviewing the Chevrolet forums and Impala forums, this appears to be a known issue and GM is not doing anything about it. Reading some of the stories, I consider myself lucky. Airbag the passenger airbag light has come on and will not go off. …
Related recalls
Air bags
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 19, 2015, equipped with front vented-heated passenger seats.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will correct the calibration-learning error by preconditioning the empty seat, and also resetting the ECU to a seat zero-value, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2015.
Airbag complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Chevrolet Impala, 10% of the model year's 300 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification › front passenger (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-465 (air bags, Jul 24, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.