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 ↗2011 Chevrolet Impala airbags problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
11crashes
13injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 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.
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 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 ↗PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) MAY COMMAND PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR AND SEAT BELT REMINDER ON WHEN ELECTRONIC DEVICES (COMPUTERS, MP3 PLAYERS, CELL PHONES, DIAGNOSTIC SCAN TOOL, ETC.) ARE PLACED ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, DTCS 5045 OR B0074 0F SET IN PPS MODULE. UPDATED 2/21/13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR MAY LIGHT WHEN ELECTRONICS ARE PLACED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE ELECTRONICS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO THINK THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. UPDATED 6/24/11.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Chevrolet Impala has two distinct airbag problems. First, owners report multiple crashes where airbags completely failed to deploy during frontal, rear-end, and rollover collisions at speeds ranging from 10 to 60 mph. Injuries in these cases included head trauma, chest pain, rib fractures, neck and back injuries, pneumothorax, and one driver required helicopter evacuation. In one rollover, airbags did not fire despite sensors being visibly intact and compartments breached open.
Second, a widespread sensor malfunction plagues the passenger-side occupant detection system. The service airbag warning light stays on constantly or comes on intermittently during startup or while driving. When a passenger sits in the passenger seat, the light illuminates and the system fails to recognize occupant weight. Some owners report the airbag warning chime sounds randomly with no one in the seat. Dealer estimates for sensor repair ranged from $400 to $750. Owners express concern that if an accident occurs while the warning light is active, the passenger-side airbag will not deploy. Several owners noted the problem is widespread across multiple 2011 Impalas. One owner mentioned the Takata recall but independent mechanic and dealer diagnostics did not confirm Takata inflators as the root cause. Another owner reported replacing sensors without resolving the issue."
Same Chevrolet Impala airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Complete Airbag Non-Deployment in Crashes
Airbags failed to deploy in multiple collision scenarios—frontal impacts, rear-end collisions, and rollover—despite impact severity warranting deployment. Owners documented open airbag compartments and visible sensors after crashes.
When: At speeds ranging from 10 to 60 mph; one rollover incident; mileage range 1,000 to 113,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal collision at 25 mph; No airbag deployment during frontal collision at 10 mph; No airbag deployment during rear-end collision at unknown speed; No airbag deployment during rollover with 3.5 side-to-side rolls; No airbag deployment during 60 mph rear-end collision and guardrail impact; No airbag deployment during head-on collision at 45 mph (stalled engine); Visible open airbag compartments and intact sensors post-crash
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were destroyed or scrapped; no repairs performed. One police report filed; repairs at independent mechanic included rear doors, trunk, and bumper but not airbag system root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner received recall notice for NHTSA Campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System) after the crash. Manufacturer told another owner no recall existed for airbags. Most contacts report manufacturer was not notified or did not respond.
Passenger-Side Occupant Sensor Failure
The passenger-side occupant detection sensor fails to recognize when someone is seated in the front passenger seat. The service airbag warning light illuminates and remains on when a passenger occupies the seat, or illuminates continuously regardless of seat occupancy. Multiple owners believe the passenger airbag will not deploy in a crash while this warning is active.
When: Across wide mileage range: 45,000 to 165,000 miles; one owner at 63,000 miles; failures reported on vehicles 3 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light constantly illuminated; Service airbag warning light comes on intermittently during startup or while driving; Airbag off warning light remains on when passenger seated; Air bag system message displayed on instrument panel; Airbag light and chime sound continuously with no occupant in seat; Airbag light on when passenger sits in passenger seat; Sensor fails to acknowledge occupant weight in passenger seat
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repair estimate $400–$750 (parts and labor). One owner replaced sensors without resolving the issue. Another owner was referred to junkyard for replacement part when dealer stated parts unavailable. Most vehicles not repaired due to cost or lack of available parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer told one owner vehicle was not subject to recall. Manufacturer told another owner no airbag recall existed. One owner emailed manufacturer with no response. Most contacts did not receive response or recall notice for this issue.
Intermittent Service Airbag Warning Light and Dashboard Noise
Service airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; one owner reports a tapping or woodpecker-like noise near dashboard/cooling system area that occurs when opening driver door, adjusting heat/air levers, or running HVAC. Noise intensifies and occurs while vehicle sits in heat with engine off. Passenger seatbelt warning sounds when no passenger present. Airbag panel flickers on and off. Owner suspects issue is related to Takata recall but diagnosis unclear.
When: Appears to be recent occurrence (owner notes light came on recently while driving)
Symptoms owners cite: Service air bags warning on dashboard; Tapping/woodpecker-like noise when opening driver door, lasting 5–6 seconds; Noise triggered by adjusting heat/air levers or running HVAC; Noise becomes louder over time; Noise occurs when vehicle sitting in heat with engine off; Airbag panel flickers on and off; Passenger seatbelt warning sounds and flashes with no passenger present
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; owner suspects cooling system area or dashboard electrical issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner mentions Takata recall in complaint title but diagnosis not confirmed by dealer or manufacturer.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 45,000 and 102,000 miles, with the median around 73,945. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 102,000. 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/2011/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.