2002 Chevrolet Impala Airbags Problems

The contact’s son owned a 2002 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the contact was unaware of how the failure occurred; however, the contact’s son was involved in a crash in which the vehicle collided with a wall. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed during the crash. The contact stated that the contact’s son sustained multiple injuries, and medical attention was provided. The contact was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated at the time of the failure. The contact stated that the injuries included a fractured nose, lacerations to the nose and cheek, a broken right femur, a shattered right knee, collapsed lung, broken ribs, and paralysis on the right side. The contact also stated that the right foot required amputation. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed by an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ID

11736024

Incident

May 6, 2026

I was driving out of supermarket I was alone and the airbags deployed. I was hit hard and had a panic attack. I was able to drive home 14 miles. Windshield busted and dash board totaled Everyone I try to download a picture I'm sent to the begining. I'm going to have pictures on file incase needed. .

NHTSA ID

11573901

Incident

Feb 24, 2024

MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WAS ONLY LESS THAN TEN FEET FROM MY FRONT DOOR,STILL IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT UNIT. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SHE HADN'T HIT ANYTHING. THEY BOTH DEPLOYED ,CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD AND DISABLED THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID

10984583

Incident

May 9, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I WAS DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT THE BABYSITTERS HOUSE ON MY WAY TO A FUNERAL AROUND 10:30 ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 1, 2016. I PULLED OUT THE BABYSITTERS DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TOWARDS BERKSHIRE STREET. MY CAR WAS IN MOTION AND BEFORE I MADE IT TO THE CORNER MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BURST OPEN MY DASHBOARD OPENED ALL THE WAY ACROSS TO DRIVER'S SIDE. MY RADIO BROKE OFF MY BUTTONS FLEW OFF THE DASH AND I COULDN'T TELL WHETHER IT WAS DUST OR SMOKE FROM THE AIRBAG. I WASN'T HURT BUT WHEN I INHALE MY CHEST HURT AND MY ASTHMA FLARED UP AND MY RIGHT EAR IS IRRITATED. ALSO MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I DIDN'T HIT A BUMP OR CAR IT'S SMOOTH PAVEMENT I WAS CONFUSED AS TO WHAT CAUSED IT.

NHTSA ID

10910958

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

THE "AIR BAG " IDIOT LIGHT GOES ON THE DASH. IT CAN BE STATIONARY OR BEING DRIVEN.

NHTSA ID

10824600

Incident

Feb 3, 2016

I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WATCHING THE GAUGES ON THE INSTAMENT CLUSTER GOING UP AND DOWN, LIKE THEY WERE LOOSING POWER, THEN BOTH AIR BAGS EXPLODED! ,SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD! I JUST CANT BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED IF I OR MY LOVED ONES HAD BEEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD!!! WELL I DONT WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT BUT, THE PIONT IS THE SYSTEM FAILLED. AND IF I HAD HIT A WALL OR SOMETHING AND BEEN KILLED IT WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE THE AIR BAGS WORKED PROPERLY. THIS CAR WAS IN MY DRIVE IDELING , IN PARK NO ONE EVEN TOUCHING IT!

NHTSA ID

10730949

Incident

Jun 25, 2015

Mileage

179,523 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10639115

Incident

Sep 17, 2014

I WAS DRIVING ON MAIN STREET IN RIO VISTA AND MY VEHICLE JUST SIMPLE SHUT OFF. THE CAR ROLLED AND HIT A PLANTER IN FRONT OF THE STORE AS I TRIED STEERING IT OUT OF THE STREET. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT OPERATE. I CALLED THE AMICA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOWED TO ABEL CHEVROLET. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS TYPICAL TO THIS YEAR VEHICLE AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED IT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $509.11 SINCE MY IGNITION HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, DO I NEED TO TAKE IT BACK IN? ALSO WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT? *TR

NHTSA ID

10633583

Incident

Nov 12, 2013

Mileage

116,319 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10633287

Incident

Oct 10, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED ARM AND HEAD INJURY BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SDM SENSOR WAS COVERED IN WATER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10627253

Incident

Jul 31, 2014

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

10609667

Incident

May 24, 2011

Mileage

82,000 mi

THIS CAR WAS ONE-OWNER AND VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND SERVICED ROUTINELY. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR JUST LOST POWER. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT SLAMMED INTO THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WALL ON DRIVERS SIDE, THEN SPUN AROUND AND LODGED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER OF A SEMI-TRACTOR. THE SEMI HIT THE BRAKES AND IT PROJECTED ME BACK ACROSS UPON THE TOP OF THE CONCRETE MEDIUM WHERE MY CAR JUST RODE TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY BEAUTIFUL CAR WAS TOTALED BUT, BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND SEAT BELTS I AM ALIVE. I HAVE A CONCUSSION, SPRAINED ANKLE, CUTS, AND BRUISES, BUT I AM HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY, THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE AND SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM INJURY OR DEATH. MY CAR IS AVAILABLE TO INSPECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10607310

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

Mileage

162,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,600.

NHTSA ID

10599106

Incident

May 19, 2014

Mileage

92,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID

10594747

Incident

May 22, 2014

Mileage

171,000 mi

AT 10:00 P.M., DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE (COLD) AND PULLED AWAY FROM CURB STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN 100 FEET AHEAD. AS DRIVER PULLED AWAY FROM THE CURB, THE DASH LIGHTS (SEAT BELT, ABS, AIRBAG, ETC.) AND TACHOMETER BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY FLASH/ FLUCTUATE. DRIVER PROCEEDED TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO A MAIN ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND PULLED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10484473

Incident

Nov 12, 2012

Mileage

89,000 mi

ELECTRONIC - FIRST PROBLEM WAS AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON - AFTER AT LEAST 4 TRIPS TO DEALER - PROBLEM FIXED - NOW RADIO IS LOCKED AND SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO DOOR LOCKS AND SECURITY SYSTEM - APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL AND NEEDS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10421174

Incident

Aug 15, 2011

Mileage

133,000 mi

I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND WAS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR A TELEPHONE POLE. I AWOKE AT LAST SECOND AND MANAGED TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING POLE HEAD ON, IN WHICH CASE I WOULD PROBABLY BE DEAD. DOCTORS SAID I WAS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE EVEN THOUGH I WORE MY SEATBELT B/C THE CAR HIT THE POLE AND THEN FLIPPED OVER 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE LANDING ON ITS HOOD WITH ME TRAPPED INSIDE. THE JAWS OF LIFE WERE USED TO HELP PULL MY PASSENGER DOOR OFF ENOUGH TO GET ME OUT OF CAR ONTO A FLATBOARD, ONCE THEY HAD ME IN A NECKBRACE, THAT IS. THE REASON I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I LEASED THIS CAR AT A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE RATE AND WAS MORE THAN 75% DONE PAYING IT OFF AND NOW I HAVE NOTHING. THE '02 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD FRONT AIRBAGS, (AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR), HOWEVER, NEITHER DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT AND I SUSTAINED A SERIOUS INJURY TO MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE. MY HEAD AND SHOULDER WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, HITTING THE PAVEMENT, AND I HAVE NERVE DAMAGE NOW B/C OF THIS. MY LEFT ARM IS NOW TINGLING AND GOING NUMB, WHICH COMES DOWN FROM A PINCHED NERVE IN MY NECK. I WILL NEED TO GO TO PHYSICAL THERAPY ONCE I AM ABLE. I AM ON HIGH DOSE PAIN MEDS. RIGHT NOW AND CAN BARELY WALK. I NOW WONDER IF THE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED ALREADY SOMETIME B/F I BOUGHT THE CAR, PUT BACK IN USED, AND THAT IS WHY NEITHER CAME OUT WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE. I AM THINKING ABOUT CONTACTING A LAWYER REGARDING THIS SITUATION. DO YOUR HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON THIS? THANK YOU AND PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE IN THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10395480

Incident

Apr 3, 2011

Mileage

123,000 mi

ME AND MY WIFE WAS RIDING DOWN AZALEA ROAD IN MOBILE ALABAMA AND A CAR CAME INTO OUR LANE AND WE HIT IT DEAD ON...MY WIFE HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED .. WE WERE GOING ABOUT 35 MPH..WE WERE IN A 2002 IMPALA THAT WE JUST BOUGHT THE DAY BEFORE..I WANT SOME ANSWERS FOR WHAT HAPPEN AND I REALLY WANT TO SUE THE CHEVY COMPANY..PLEASE GIVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT WHO I SHOULD TALK TO ABOUT MY LAWSUIT.. EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE AND I WERE NOT HURT, SHE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY, BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN HER HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACK THE WINDSHIELD..WE HAD TO TAKE AN AMBULANCE RIDE AND EVERYTHING AND GET X-RAYS...PLEASE NOTIFY ME ON WHAT CAN I DO... *TW

NHTSA ID

10307225

Incident

Feb 6, 2008

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR DIMMED ONCE THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS REDUCED. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,122 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,652.

NHTSA ID

10276132

Incident

Jun 30, 2009

Mileage

180,122 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN HER VEHICLE. SHE BELIEVES THAT THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE BACK PAIN AND A HEADACHE. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASED THREE HOURS LATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

NHTSA ID

10269958

Incident

May 26, 2009

Mileage

122,000 mi

CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOTICES - 07E021000 & 02V222000 - DO NOT APPLY TO MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA LS. CHEVROLET DOES NOT RECOGNIZE OR CROSS REFERENCE YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBERS. THEY STATED TO ME THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NHTSA IS "FALSE". I THINK CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE IS LYING. HELP NEEDED. PLEASE DON'T SEND ME SOME LEGAL JARGON ANSWER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10263647

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

20,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THE CONTACT WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED DURING THE DEPLOYMENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED BY A GM ENGINEER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AND THE VEHICLE IS WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A FIELD TECHNICIAN WOULD COME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,000.

NHTSA ID

10262350

Incident

Mar 16, 2009

Mileage

77,000 mi

2002 CHEVY IMPALA AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. *NJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10257893

Incident

Nov 4, 2008

THE FIRST THING IS THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET TWO TIME NOW IT IS LEAKING AGAIN INTO THE WATER RESERVOIR THEN I HAD TWO REPLACE THE MAIN CONTROL ( BCM ) AND ( PCM ) BY THE DEALERSHIP HA TO REPLACE THE STARTER AND THE WATER PUMP HAD TO RE PLACE TWO WINDOW MOTOR AND TWO WINDOW ELECTRONIC SWITCH THAT CONTROL EACH WINDOW THERE A LOT MORE BUT THIS ARE THE MORE IMPORTANCE ONES IT WOULD BE OKAY IF I GOT THIS CAR USED BUT I PAID FOR A NEW CAR SO I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF BREAKDOWNS DOES GM STAND BEHIND THERE CAR OR WHAT !!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10250940

Incident

Feb 22, 2005

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. GENERAL MOTORS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 189,000.

NHTSA ID

10249680

Incident

Oct 31, 2008

Mileage

189,000 mi