Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (27.9% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 3.3× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 230 · 27.9% | Recalled | Recall 16V507000 · Recall 08V517000 |
| Electrical System | 216 · 26.2% | Recalled | Recall 14V355000 |
| Engine | 179 · 21.7% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 123 · 14.9% | No official action | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 108 · 13.1% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 65 · 7.9% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 824 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 16V507000 · 2016 · reported 07/05/2016
If the wires are damaged, the passenger presence sensory system may fail to recognize that the passenger seat is occupied, disabling the air bag. Damage may also cause the air bag fuse to short resulting in a loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensions.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 2014 · reported 06/23/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V377000 · 2012 · reported 08/03/2012
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V480000 · 2010 · reported 10/13/2010
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V517000 · 2008 · reported 10/06/2008
DURING A PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR TUBE COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE PASSENGER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CITY ARE WORKING ON THE ROAD AND THE PAVEMENT HAD A BIG DIP IN IT AND THE CAR BOTTOM OUT ,AND THAN THE AIR…”NHTSA complaint 10485885 — filed 11/24/2012 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO…”NHTSA complaint 10476875 — filed 09/24/2012 · AIR BAGS
“BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF HAVE 2009 IMPALAS. THEY BOTH HAVE ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS?”NHTSA complaint 10463518 — filed 06/29/2012 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 230 of 824 NHTSA complaints (27.9%), followed by electrical system (216), engine (179), vehicle speed control (123). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
824 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 43 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 43 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V507000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
