Owners of 2015 Chevrolet Impalas describe multiple airbag system failures. The most common complaint is the occupant sensing system failing to recognize—or falsely detecting—front passenger presence. This triggers the service airbag warning light to cycle on and off every few minutes, sometimes constantly, and activates false seat belt warnings. Some owners report the light can be toggled by moving the passenger seat forward and backward. Dealers have attempted fixes by replacing the sensing diagnostic module, but the warning typically returns within days.
A critical safety gap emerges: NHTSA Campaign 15V465000 was issued for this exact problem, yet multiple owners report their VINs were excluded from the recall despite matching production dates and symptoms. GM offered one owner partial cost coverage and promised refund if the recall expands, but others paid out of pocket for repairs or received no resolution.
Worse, at least two owners report airbag non-deployment during actual crashes—one at 40 mph frontal impact that totaled the vehicle and injured the passenger. One case documents both driver and passenger airbags deploying unexpectedly at 106,000 miles with no collision. Another owner reports burning smell and abnormal sounds when the warning light appears. Dealers have been unable to diagnose some failures; one owner's independent mechanic couldn't determine the cause either.
Failure modes owners describe
Occupant Sensing System (OSS)/Automatic Occupant Sensing (AOS) Malfunction
The front passenger occupant detection system fails to recognize occupancy or produces false readings, causing the airbag warning light to illuminate intermittently or continuously. This prevents proper airbag deployment logic and triggers false seat belt warnings.
When: Mileage ranges from approximately 7,000 to 141,536 miles; failures reported starting as early as October 2019 and continuing through complaint submissions
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently, cycling on and off every 3–4 minutes; Passenger airbag on/off indicator light flickers or stays on; Audible beeping or alert sounds accompany warning lights; Passenger seat belt warning activates without occupant present; Failure can be triggered or replicated by moving the passenger seat forward and backward; False positive detection: sensor indicates occupancy when seat is empty
Codes mentioned: AOS diagnostic code present (specific code not named in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships have attempted repairs including replacement of sensing diagnostic module; repairs have proven ineffective with failures recurring days later. One owner paid out of pocket twice for passenger seat sensor repairs despite this being a safety item. Some dealers claim inability to diagnose or repair the condition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V465000 issued for airbag defects on 2015 Chevrolet Impala. However, multiple owners report their VINs were not included in the recall despite having identical symptoms and production dates. GM has offered partial cost coverage in at least one case and stated intention to reimburse if recall is expanded to include the owner's VIN. Dealerships have claimed no recall matches the campaign number despite owners providing it.
Passenger Airbag Non-Deployment
The airbag system fails to deploy the passenger-side airbag during frontal collision events, even at impact speeds (40 mph) that should trigger deployment. The warning light either does not illuminate or the system logic prevents firing.
When: Occurred during actual crash events; one verified at approximately 40 mph frontal impact and one at undisclosed speed
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag fails to deploy in frontal crash at 40 mph impact speed; No warning light illumination prior to crash; Vehicle sustained frame damage; passenger sustained injury; Second incident reports airbag failure to deploy at undisclosed impact speed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was totaled; frame was bent and bent the frame around the motor. Owner does not provide repair cost or parts information.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner mentioned Takata recall context but did not report manufacturer acknowledgment of these specific deployment failures. One non-deployment case was reported to manufacturer, awaiting response.
Inadvertent Airbag Deployment
Driver and passenger airbags deploy without collision, warning, or any triggering event, creating sudden hazard risk to occupants while driving.
When: Approximately 106,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Both driver and passenger airbags deployed while vehicle was in normal operation; No warning light illuminated before deployment; No collision or impact occurred
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; owner awaiting manufacturer response.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was informed; owner was awaiting response at time of complaint.
Passenger Presence Module Intermittent Deactivation
The passenger presence module intermittently deactivates the passenger airbag, which may prevent proper deployment or create confusion about airbag status during normal driving with occupants.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag deactivates and reactivates intermittently while passenger is present in vehicle; Raises concern about airbag protection for children in front seat
Repairs/costs cited: Not provided in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not provided in narrative.
Passenger Presence Sensor False Positive
The front passenger presence sensor reports occupancy even when the seat is empty, activating airbag protection and seat belt warnings inappropriately.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Sensor detects occupancy when passenger seat is empty; Seat belt warning light and audible alert activate without passenger present; Creates safety concern if airbag deploys while child is in front seat
Repairs/costs cited: One owner requested sensor deactivation instead of repair; sensor required person of adequate weight without cushion to operate correctly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not provided in narrative.
Airbag Warning Light with Abnormal Sound and Burning Smell
Service airbag warning light illuminates accompanied by unusual audible or burning smells from the vehicle, suggesting electrical or component malfunction.
When: Occurs immediately upon vehicle startup
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminates; Burning smell emanates from vehicle immediately when started; Abnormal audible sound associated with warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Not provided in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative references Takata recall but does not specify manufacturer response to this specific symptom.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.