This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Chevrolet Impala airbags problems
critical 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
27crashes
1fire
26injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 40 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 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 40 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.
Among the 15 model years of Chevrolet Impala in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BUICK/CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: AIRBAG LIGHT ON, DTC B0071 AND B0081 SET (DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY). UPON INVESTIGATION, THE TECHNICIAN MAY FIND DTC B0071 SET IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) AND A DTC B0081 IN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTICS MODULE (SDM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe widespread airbag failures: frontal collisions at 15–70 mph where airbags didn't deploy, side impacts with permanent injuries, rollovers with no inflation, and rear-end collisions that left occupants without protection. Some crashes resulted in fractures, concussions, head trauma from steering wheels, and one death of a five-year-old child. Owners report severe injury where they expected airbags to cushion impact.
The service airbag light is a persistent complaint—it illuminates intermittently or stays on even after dealer repairs, sometimes linked to seatbelt retractor issues. One early owner (999 miles) had the light at startup; wiring and sensor terminal repair didn't always stick. One owner was told nothing could be done after 36,000 miles. One case involves a 100 lb passenger triggering the light only when in the driver seat, not the passenger seat.
GM issued recall 14V355000 for electrical system issues tied to ignition defects and airbag failure, but owners note parts were unavailable for weeks or months, and some repairs did not stop the problem. One owner's airbag fired spontaneously during normal driving at highway speed, preceded by smoke from the door panel. Abnormal ticking from the passenger airbag compartment also appears in the complaints, though diagnosis and repair are absent in those reports.
Same Chevrolet Impala airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag deployment failure in crash events
Airbags failed to deploy during impact conditions that owners and independent reviewers expected would trigger deployment, including frontal collisions, side impacts, rollovers, and frontal crashes at various speeds. Owners report severe injuries and fatalities that they attribute to the lack of airbag protection.
When: Various mileages reported: 1,951 to 176,000 miles; incidents span vehicle's operational life
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on frontal impact at 15–70 mph; No airbag deployment in side-impact collision; No airbag deployment in rollover crash (four rolls); No airbag deployment after striking fixed objects (trees, ditches, rocks); No airbag deployment in rear-impact collisions; Front passenger airbag failed to deploy in side-impact despite proper seatbelt use
Codes mentioned: 14V355000 (Electrical System)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report that ignition-related defect recall (14V355000) was issued; some owners note recall parts were unavailable for extended periods. Manufacturer inspection in one case (rollover) determined sensors were not hit and attributed non-deployment to lack of sensor activation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System) issued for airbag failure due to ignition defect. One owner was sent recall notice two weeks after crash. GM opened investigations in at least one case; some responses directed blame toward driver (e.g., 'should have pushed the button' for OnStar). One case: dealer inspection deemed airbags fine despite non-deployment.
Airbag warning light and sensor malfunction
Service airbag light illuminates intermittently or persistently without obvious cause. In some cases, the light correlates with airbag system disablement or seatbelt retractor issues. Owners report dealer responses ranging from attempted repairs to statements that nothing can be done.
When: Early in ownership (999 miles, 6,900 miles); also at higher mileage (64,000 miles); intermittent onset starting April 2013 in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates on dashboard; Chime sounds with service airbag message; Airbag light illuminates intermittently or randomly; Light remains on despite prior repair attempts; Airbag light behavior tied to occupant weight: light illuminates when 100 lb passenger in driver seat but not in passenger seat
Codes mentioned: Service airbag message, Airbag sensor terminal wiring fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reprogrammed instrument panel cluster and repaired airbag sensor terminal wiring. Front passenger seatbelt retractor identified as source of one malfunction (disabled passenger airbag). One dealership stated issue was common but non-repairable after 36,000 miles due to warranty limit. Wiring replaced in driver-side airbag in one case; failure recurred after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner's manual directs immediate dealer service for service airbag message. One dealership noted it was a common problem but repair not covered after 36,000 miles.
Airbag spontaneous or unintended deployment
Front passenger-side airbag deployed without a collision event, accompanied by smoke and smell from the driver-side door panel. Occurred while vehicle was being driven normally.
When: At 39,000 miles; current mileage 40,000
Symptoms owners cite: Smell of smoke from driver-side door panel at highway speed; Airbag light appeared on dashboard; Front passenger-side airbag deployed spontaneously seconds after smoke odor
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced wiring in driver-side airbag; failure recurred after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Abnormal noise from airbag compartment
Intermittent ticking or unusual noise emanating from front passenger-side airbag compartment. Noise became progressively worse over time.
When: At approximately 155,000–173,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent ticking noise from front passenger airbag area; Noise progression from intermittent to worse over time
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired. One case not included in recall 08V517000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one case, manufacturer was notified. No repair or response documented.
Airbag system disablement linked to seatbelt sensor
Airbag warning light remains illuminated or airbag will not deploy when seatbelt sensor is triggered. Dealer stated airbag will not deploy when the light is on.
When: Intermittent, occurring weekly as of April 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light on intermittently, triggered possibly by seatbelt latch; Airbag will not deploy when light is illuminated; Seatbelt latch sensor may inhibit airbag deployment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet dealer informed owner that airbag will not deploy when seatbelt latch triggers system to disable it.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet impala. The vehicle hydroplaned while driving 80 MPH and this caused the vehicle to spin and crash into an embankment. When the vehicle hit the embankment, it rolled over four times. The windshield shattered and the rollover bar popped and the drivers side window popped out as well. The contact was injured. None of the air bags deployed during the crash. The…
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 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 2008 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a serious issue. 40 complaints have been filed, including 27 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 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,000 and 113,455 miles, with the median around 96,187. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 113,455. 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/2008/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.