Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 5% | 62,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% | 61,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% | 27,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% | 42,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% | 148,000 miles |
| 2011 | 77 | 15% | 2,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 2% | 90,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% | 41,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% | 115,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% | 128,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 0% | 9,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% | 150,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Passenger side front seat. When occupied, airbag sensor located inside the seat is malfunctioning. My husbands safety is at risk when he's in the car. He tries moving the seat up, back, etc. Sometimes works and the airbag sensor works. We are fearing that if there were any accident or need, that his life would be in danger if the airbag didn't deploy. This shouldn't be at the consumers expense as this is a safety issue. This has been ongoing for over 6 months.
On 16th July 2020 while driving bell sounds went off in my car, on dash airbag warning came on and got an OnStar alert that airbag malfunction. OnStar said to get it to dealership asap. Yesterday 20th July dealership told me that front passenger seat airbag module, front passenger airbag plate in seat and something else airbag is wrong. Told me not covered under warranty in which since it is a 2018 I couldn't believe it. They said because have 62,000 miles is why. I said this is a safety issue they acknowledged that but said I would need to have it repaired which would cost $1300 without taxes. I called general motors and have a case number. However, not GM nor the dealership nesmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC seem to feel this should be a recall or a safety issue that they should be liable for!
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to coughlin GM of marysville (15801 us-36, marysville, oh 43040, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the passenger seat sensor was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000. Updated 11/28/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the driver's seat was fractured where the air bag sensor was located. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 61,000.
GM had sent a letter in March 2020 about a known defect with the passenger presence module that wires could become disconnected over time, leading to a service airbag message and the passenger airbag failing to deploy when commanded. GM stated that they would provide additional protection (read extended warranty) on this condition to be repaired at no cost within 8 years of the date the vehicle was placed in service or 80000 miles, whichever was first. My 2014 Impala just had this issue occur on July 4, 2021, and when requesting GM to perform this repair at no cost for me (vehicle mileage is 77000 miles), GM stated that this extended warranty ended January 2021. This date does not match the 8 years called out in the letter they sent, as the general public couldn't even buy this vehicle until April 1, 2013 at the very earliest. …
This car has exactly the same issues as reported in 15V465000 but Chevrolet refuses to acknowledge that this VIN should have been in their recall. The AOS systems in this Impala is improperly calibrated. My child in the front seat could be seriously injured. Chevrolet themselves verified this 2014 Impala has front vented-heated passenger seats. They still refuse to help in any way. This car does not turn the front passenger airbag on and off when it detects (or fails to detect) an adult occupant in that seat.
Tl contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the headrest in the middle rear of the vehicle was obstructing his view. While attempting to drive in reverse, the contact stated that he would not crash into objects since he did not have a clear view. The dealer stated that the vehicle was operating as designed. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was waiting for a response. The current mileages were 1,500 and the failure mileage was approximately 5.
recall # 36110. our car is having the same issues that are indicated with this recall but GM refuses to include our vehicle in this recall. Front passenger seat sensor is shorting out against the seat frame which is turning vital passenger airbags off. Unsure when this actually started as my daughter drives this car to work and didnt notice when it first appeared.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Impala years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (77), 2009 (12), 2010 (11), 2014 (8) and 2000 (6) model years. Seat complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Impala seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for any Chevrolet Impala model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Impala seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › head restraint (15 mentions), followed by the mid/rear assembly (7).
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.