Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated the check air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified who informed the contact that the air bag sensor module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified who advised the contact that there were no related recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 68,000.…
2006 Chevrolet Impala airbags problems
critical 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
26crashes
24injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 39 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Non-deployment of front airbags during significant collisions is the primary concern—multiple owners report crashes at 20–65 mph where airbags did not activate despite causing serious injury or death. Secondary issue: persistent 'Service Airbag' warning lights that dealers quote $900–$1,000 to fix with no recall coverage, leaving owners uncertain whether airbags are functional.
Owners of 2006 Chevrolet Impalas report two distinct airbag failure patterns. The first and most serious is complete deployment failure during collisions ranging from 11 to 65 mph head-on and side impacts. In these crashes, front and driver/passenger airbags did not deploy despite sufficient force to cause serious injury or death—broken sternums, fractured necks, back injuries, head trauma, and unconsciousness. Some owners noted that vehicles involved in government testing deployed at similar or lower speeds, raising questions about sensor or system reliability. One case involved a head-on collision serious enough to kill the driver, yet airbags remained inactive. One collision at 11 mph produced an airbag deployment that fractured the driver's sternum, suggesting either excessive force calibration or a separate defect.
The second pattern involves recurring "Service Airbag" or "Check Airbag" warning lights on the dashboard, often accompanied by a passenger-side airbag-off indicator even with an occupant present. Owners report dealer estimates of $900–$1,000 to replace what dealers describe as a sensor, despite labor taking less than an hour. Owners also report intermittent warning lights that cycle on and off without clear cause, sometimes apparently triggered by key weight or HVAC adjustments. One owner reported a tapping noise from the passenger airbag area when adjusting climate controls. The lack of recalls covering these warnings frustrates owners who believe the defects create safety risks.
Same Chevrolet Impala airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal Collisions
Front airbags (driver and/or passenger) failed to deploy during head-on and offset frontal impacts ranging from approximately 11 to 65 mph, despite sufficient crash forces. In one case, a head-on collision at unknown speed resulted in driver death and passenger spinal injury with no airbag deployment. Another collision at 52 mph produced no deployment, whereas government testing data indicated deployment at 35 mph in the same model. One case involved impact at 11 mph that did trigger deployment. Owners report injuries including fractured sternums, broken ribs, head trauma, spinal injury, and unconsciousness. In at least two cases, occupants struck the windshield or dashboard from lack of airbag cushioning.
When: Collisions at mileages ranging from 12,150 to 220,000 miles; no mileage correlation evident.
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal head-on or offset collision; Driver and passenger sustained head, chest, back, or neck injuries; Occupants struck windshield or dashboard; In one case, unconscious driver found laying across front seats after collision
Repairs/costs cited: Most vehicles were not diagnosed by dealer or manufacturer. One dealer claimed 'the crash had to have been a direct hit on the sensor.' One manufacturer investigation (Case 926820) concluded 'no air bag failure' despite non-deployment at approximately 198,945 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Recall 14V355000 (Electrical System) issued for one vehicle; GM also issued Recall 14299 (parts unavailable at time of complaint). One manufacturer investigation concluded no failure. Technical Service Bulletin referenced by owners but not detailed in complaints.
Side Airbag Non-Deployment
Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during a side-impact collision at the driver's door. Occupant sustained only minor scrape to shoulder, suggesting lower-speed impact, but airbag remained inactive.
When: At unknown mileage; complaint did not specify vehicle mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Side airbag did not deploy during driver-side door impact; Glass in door shattered; Occupant sustained minor scrape
Persistent 'Service Airbag' or 'Check Airbag' Warning Light
Dashboard warning light indicating airbag service need illuminates and either remains on or cycles intermittently on and off. Light often accompanied by passenger-side airbag-off indicator even when passenger is seated. Owners report dealers quoting $900–$1,000 for replacement of what dealers describe as a sensor, though labor is typically 0.8 hours or less. One owner questioned whether the part is truly a sensor given the high cost and short labor time. Some owners report light triggered by adjusting climate-control settings (temperature knob, air-flow buttons) or key weight on seat. One owner noted Technical Service Bulletin exists related to airbag warning codes but did not specify bulletin number.
When: Reported from 40,000 to 150,000+ miles; earliest report at 40,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Check Airbag or Service Airbag warning light on dashboard; Light cycles on and off intermittently or remains constantly on; Passenger-side airbag-off indicator illuminates despite occupant present; Warning triggered by climate-control adjustments or key weight; Tapping/clicking noise from passenger airbag area when adjusting HVAC
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quote $900–$1,000 for replacement part (claimed to be sensor); repair time approximately 0.8 hours. One owner noted part cost seems excessive for a sensor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One manufacturer advised no related recalls exist. Owners report seeing Technical Service Bulletin referenced but no specific bulletin number provided. No recall coverage mentioned for this defect.
Airbag Excessive Deployment Force
Driver's airbag deployed during a relatively low-speed collision (11 mph per vehicle black box data) but with sufficient force to fracture sternum from top to bottom, break ribs, and compress cervical and lumbar discs. Driver was average-sized male (5'9", 190 lbs), wore seat belt and body armor (police duty vest). Driver's physician and pulmonary specialist stated such a sternum fracture would normally require massive force; driver noted this was the first sternum fracture he had encountered in hundreds of accident investigations as a peace officer. Concern raised that smaller occupants (elderly, teenagers, women, short individuals) would face more severe injury from similar force.
When: At unknown mileage; collision occurred during routine vehicle operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Sternum fractured from top to bottom following airbag deployment; One rib broken; Two compacted cervical disks; One compacted lumbar disk; Injuries sustained at 11 mph impact (per vehicle black box)
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a serious issue. 39 complaints have been filed, including 26 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 38,640 and 140,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,640; a quarter make it past 140,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Impala.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.