Recall 16V507 affects 289,254 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles for passenger-seat sensor wiring damage. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 289,254 2009-2010 Impala vehicles because the front passenger seat frame can contact and damage wires for the passenger presence sensor module. Damaged wires can disable the passenger air bag, short the air bag fuse, and increase injury risk in a crash; Chevrolet dealers will repair it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger presence sensor module under the front passenger seat in 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impalas is part of the airbag system. It detects whether someone is sitting in the front passenger seat and helps the vehicle decide whether the passenger airbag should be on or off. Its wiring also ties into the wider airbag control system.
On affected Impalas, the bottom of the front passenger seat frame rubs against the sensor module wiring. That rubbing chafes the insulation until bare wires are exposed and damaged. Damaged wires can short the airbag fuse and cut power to the sensing and diagnostic module, the control unit that manages airbag deployment. If that power is lost, the airbags and seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in a crash.
Owners have warning signs to watch for. The passenger airbag status indicator can show the passenger airbag as off while someone is sitting there, the driver information center can show a service airbag message, or the airbag warning light can turn on.
Who's affected?
Each listed model year has both an air bag system scope and a wiring scope, so the component label alone does not decide inclusion.
| 2009 Chevrolet Impala | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2009 Chevrolet Impala | wiring |
| 2010 Chevrolet Impala | air bag system |
| 2010 Chevrolet Impala | wiring |
| Units affected | 289,254 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Damaged passenger presence sensor wiring can stop the system from recognizing someone in the front passenger seat, disabling that air bag. A shorted fuse can also remove air bag and seat belt pretensioner protection, increasing injury risk in a crash. Watch for a passenger airbag off indicator, service airbag message, or airbag warning light. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free wire-wrapping repair that protects the passenger presence sensor wiring and replaces damaged wires.
- Bring any Chevrolet recall notice if you have one, and reference recall number 16V507 when you call.
- Keep all passengers belted and schedule the repair promptly; this defect affects air bag and seat belt pretensioner protection in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician protects the passenger presence sensor wiring near the front passenger seat frame. The technician double wraps the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replaces any wires already damaged by contact with the seat frame. Parts and labor are free under recall 16V507. If you already paid for this wiring repair before the recall notice, the manufacturer's reimbursement plan covers documented repair costs. Bring repair paperwork when you speak with Chevrolet customer service or the dealer service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 29, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 29, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 5, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| August 1, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V507?
Recall 16V507 covers 289,254 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles with front passenger seat frame contact that can damage passenger presence sensor wiring. Damaged wires can disable the passenger air bag or short the air bag fuse, increasing injury risk in a crash.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Impala is included in recall 16V507. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for the passenger presence sensor wiring recall repair. Reference recall 16V507 or Chevrolet campaign 36110 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Chevrolet dealers will double wrap the wires with anti-abrasion tape and replace damaged wires as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced air bag and seat belt protection in a crash. If the passenger presence sensor wiring is damaged, the system can fail to recognize an occupied front passenger seat, disable the passenger air bag, or short the air bag fuse and cause loss of all air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Impala used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Impala is included, then contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V507000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V507 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V507000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →