2015 Chevrolet Impala Airbags Problems

Side Blind Zone Alert (SZBA) system continues to be an issue with this vehicle. Sensing module(s) on inner left or right side of bumper cover fail due to water intrusion. When sensing module fails, "Service Side Detection System" message will appear on driver information center on instrument cluster. General Motors has previously issued a special coverage "N172097060", which is available on NHTSA website. As indicated in the special coverage document, if the issue is ignored, "the condition could result in the corruption of LS GMLAN that may result in the loss of some driver interface functions such as cluster, infotainment, displays, chime, and passenger presence detection (passenger airbag could be suppressed). Within approximately 30 days of the "Service Side Detection System" message, while driving, instrument cluster speedometer and tachometer went dead, and airbag warning system notification, anti-theft system, tire pressure monitoring system all illuminated. In addition to no speedometer reading, vehicle ignition/security interlock was causing vehicle to run rough. Vehicle would not immediately restart after shutting vehicle off. This is the 4th time a SBZA sensing module has failed on this vehicle. First failure was replaced under factory warranty, second failure was replaced under special coverage N172097060, third failure was replaced out-of-pocket. Contacted General Motors/Chevrolet, and they are not interested in providing continued coverage of the issue, which is a known issue, and likely a design defect, as the design was changed for later model years.

NHTSA ID

11655024

Incident

Apr 3, 2025

passenger front seat presence sensor says someone is sitting in the seat even when empty. also seat belt warning light and audible alert is affected. I occasionally have four small children In the vehicle which is concerning because the airbag could go off when a child is sitting in the front seat.

NHTSA ID

11645159

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

My service air bag light comes on and passenger airbag remains off while sitting in seat.

NHTSA ID

11576371

Incident

Mar 8, 2024

Air bag

NHTSA ID

11547400

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

Passenger Presence Module is deactivating Passenger airbags intermittently.

NHTSA ID

11543225

Incident

Jun 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the air bag warning light fluctuated on and off. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic suggested that the failure might be with the passenger occupant detection system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 131,002.

NHTSA ID

11540166

Incident

Aug 12, 2023

Mileage

131,002 mi

Service airbag light repeatedly activates and goes off with passenger in vehicle. There was a previous recall Chevy #15400. NHTSA campaign #15V465000. Upon contacting the dealership about the issue. Claim was made that they didn't have a recall matching that number. My vehicle is within the production dates and has the heated and vented seats.

NHTSA ID

11535653

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

Side detector system

NHTSA ID

11458073

Incident

Mar 23, 2022

It appears that my vehicle had a special coverage bulletin titled “N172097060 - Special Coverage Side Blind Zone Alert Module Water Intrusion” This special coverage only covered vehicles for 6 years or 80,000 miles. This week I started experiencing problems with my vehicles side blind zone alert system. From everything that I have read it appears to be the same issue that led to the special coverage mentioned above being issued. However, my vehicle is now outside of the specified coverage limitations. I believe that it should still be covered as it still remains a safety issue. Regardless of how many years or miles have passed. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11454268

Incident

Feb 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light and the front passenger’s seat belt warning light illuminated with an audible beeping sound. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V465000 (Air Bags). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11449725

Incident

Dec 28, 2021

Mileage

25,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags deployed inadvertently without a warning light. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was still awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11422752

Incident

Jun 28, 2021

Mileage

106,000 mi

MY AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MAKER SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AOS. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT. A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE LIGHT STARTED TO APPEAR AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE SAME PLACE AND NOW THEIR ARE SAYING MY SENSING DIAGNOSTIC MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS WAS SOMETHING NOT DONE CORRECTLY BY THE MANUFACTURER AND I SHOULDN'T BE LIABLE FOR IT. IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DON'T DEPLOY, OR THEY DEPLOY AT ANYTIME CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, I WILL PURSUE LEGAL ACTION.

NHTSA ID

11322444

Incident

Mar 16, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RON CRAFT CHEVROLET 4114, I-10, BAYTOWN, TX 77521 (281) 839-2586) BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V465000(AIRBAGS) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,536. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11302376

Incident

Jan 14, 2020

Mileage

141,536 mi

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF INDICATOR ABOVE WINDSHIELD ALSO GOES ON AND OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BOTH OCCUPIED AND UNOCCUPIED AND CAN BE MADE TO GO ON AND OFF BY MOVING PASSENGER SEAT FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS. THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING. STARTED APPROX. OCT 15, 2019. TODAY IS NOV 21, 2019

NHTSA ID

11281648

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. I TOLD MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD MY MASS ENGINE AIRFLOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. RETURN TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD MY O2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED AS RECOMMENDED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ALONG WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAID REDUCE SPEED. AT THIS POINT, MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BY ITSELF WHILE I WAS GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS BEHIND ME. REVIEWING THE CHEVROLET FORUMS AND IMPALA FORUMS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE AND GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. READING SOME OF THE STORIES, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY. AIRBAG THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T RECOGNIZING SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. THEY SAID TO ME THAT GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM; HOWEVER, MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. I SPOKE WITH A GM REPRESENTATIVE WHO CONFIRMED THE RECALL. THE GM REPRESENTATIVE SAID ALTHOUGH THE CODE IS SHOWN ON THE DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED AT THE CERTIFIED DEALER MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF MY COST. HE TOLD ME THAT IF GM EXPANDED THE RECALL TO INCLUDE MY VIN THEN I COULD SEND IN MY RECEIPT FOR A REFUND.

NHTSA ID

11270715

Incident

Oct 19, 2019

Mileage

86,000 mi

AIR BAG SENSOR STARTED TO COME ON RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ID

11244073

Incident

Jul 31, 2019

THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPANT SENSING SYSTEM (AOS) IS FAILING TO RECOGNIZE THE FRONT PASSENGER. THE SERVICE AIRBAG ALERT GOES OFF AND ON EVERY 3 TO 4 MINUTES. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2015 CHEVY IMPALA FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT SOMEHOW MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY BE IN ERROR. I FEAR FOR MY DAUGHTERS SAFETY ,AND HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH VEHICLE INCLUDING MAJOR ELECTRICAL, KEY FOB, BATTERY CHARGING, COMPLETE AC FAILURE WHICH WILL BE A 2400.00 CHARGE IN WHICH I CANT AFFORD ON TOP OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE AND HAVE GOTTEN NO RESOLUTION. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND THIS IS MY FIRST VEHICLE THAT I HAVE FINANCED, THIS IS A TOTAL NIGHTMARE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HOPEFULLY FOLLOW UP WITH THIS ISSUE. THANKS

NHTSA ID

11243313

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. GUNN CHEVROLET (1650 I-35 NORTH SELMA, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ID

11234349

Incident

Jul 21, 2019

Mileage

44,000 mi

MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT AS WELL AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GO ON AND OFF WITH NO APPARENT REASON. I BELIEVE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11210804

Incident

May 25, 2019

Mileage

98,700 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL CHEVY EMBLEM HAS A DENT HALF CIRCLE ON THE AIRBAG SECTION AND THE TRUNK WHERE THE SPARE IS STORED IS GETTING WATER MAKING TRUNK MOLD AND MILDEW.

NHTSA ID

11207851

Incident

May 12, 2019

Mileage

38,932 mi

STARTED WITH SIDE DETECTION LIGHT NOT GOING OFF. THEN SERVICE FOR SIDE DETECTION CAME ON. WITHIN A WEEK I HAD MULTIPLE ERRORS AND SERVICES SUCH AS REAR CAMERA, FRONT CAMERA, COLLISON PREP, PARK ASSIST. REPLACED FUSES EVEN THOUGH NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THEM. SAME LIGHTS. AS THE DAYS GO ON... I AM EXPERIENCING TROUBLES WITH CAR STARTING HAVING TO MANUALLY START/INSERT FOB INTO CENTER CONSOLE. HEATING AND ELECTRICAL INSIDE CAR NOT WORKING, STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND IT WAS FOGGY AND OBVIOUSLY I COULDN'T DEFROST MY WINDOWS. RESTARTED CAR NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEN HEAT POPPED BACK ON. ALSO IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IT STATES KEY FOB NOT DETECTED AND IT'S LITERALLY IN THE CUP HOLDER. I HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERY RECENTLY AT THE DEALER SO IT IS NOT A FAULTY FOB OR BATTERY. MY TRUNK HAS BEEN JUST POPPING OPEN FOR NO REASON AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING BUT ALSO WHILE STATIONARY. FOR SOME REASON MY POWER STEERING IS NOW ACTING LIKE IT IS OUT OF FLUID AND GRINDING HOWEVER ALL FLUID IS FULL. IT SEEMS TO BE ALL ELECTRICAL AND VERY SCARY AND UNPREDICTABLE.

NHTSA ID

11195606

Incident

Feb 18, 2019

Mileage

99,000 mi

SIDE OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED 1ST (2/2018). SEE ATTACHMENT FROM ENGINEERING AT MY FORMER EMPLOYER (GMPG). 2ND ISSUE: DASH ILLUMINATION GOES BACK & FORTH FROM NORMAL TO EXTREMELY BRIGHT, DIMMING INOP. 3RD ISSUE SAFETY...WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, ERROR MESSAGES FOR AIRBAG, SIDE OBJECT DETECTION, FRONT & REAR CAMERA-HVAC COMPLETELY INOP. RADIO INOP-BEGINS WORKING AFTER ELECTRIC FACEPLATE LIFTED ON RADIO. HVAC & AIRBAG REMAIN INOP. ASKED DEALERSHIP ABOUT SIDE OBJECT ISSUE- THEY HAVE NO INFO ON THIS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS STARTED 2/13/2019. WHEN STARTING WITH RKE, SIDE OBJECT LIGHTS IN MIRROR ILLUMINATED SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. THEY HAVE NOT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING IN OVER A YEAR. NO HEAT OR DEFROST WORKING-BIG SAFETY ISSUE IN WINTER WEATHER.

NHTSA ID

11180049

Incident

Feb 13, 2019

Mileage

62,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF?

NHTSA ID

11166651

Incident

Jun 7, 2018

Mileage

180,099 mi

WITH NO PARTICULAR TRIGGER, MY SENSORS STARTED TO FAIL ONE BY ONE. THEN, MY RADIO TOUCH DISPLAY WENT OUT. NOW, MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING, GO INTO THEFT MODE, OR HAVE THE ENTIRE DASH SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, LEAVING ME WITH LITTLE TO NO FUNCTIONALITY OTHER THAN STEERING. A DETAILED THREAD OF THE ISSUE AND OTHERS HAVING THESE ISSUES CAN BE FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING FORUMS. HTTP://WWW.IMPALAFORUMS.COM/CHEVY-IMPALA-9TH-GEN-DISCUSSION/1585778-BAD-BCM.HTML HTTP://WWW.IMPALAFORUMS.COM/AUDIO-VIDEO-AND-ELECTRONICS/1798162-MYLINK-TOUCH-DISPLAY-SHUT-OFF-AFTER-HITTING-POT-HOLE.HTML

NHTSA ID

11084785

Incident

Jan 23, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS ALSO A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR AND THIS HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY WHEN I START THE CAR UP.

NHTSA ID

11072943

Incident

Feb 1, 2018