IllustrationOn XXX in [XXX], while at a complete stop, without cause or prior warning, airbags violently deployed causing property damage to the entire instrument panel and windshield, and bodily injuries. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2005 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
410–25K
8625–50K
11150–75K
9675–100K
113100–150K
52150K+
499 reports with mileage · 110 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 331 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
39 crash reports13 fire reports22 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
33 reportsWhen traveling down a steep incline the front driver and passenger side airbags went off. There was no collision with anything, also there's no damage to the car aside from the airbags themselves.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. **TR *TR *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT END BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT END BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED INTO THE LEFT LANE AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINER WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHING FAILED AND THE SUBFRAME SEPARATED AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A SPEED BUMP WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND GUARDRAILS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A SPEED BUMP WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND GUARDRAILS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD RESTART AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD RESTART AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE UNKNOWN MINOR INJURIES SUSTAINED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 04/10/15*LJ UPDATED 6/26/2015 *JS
2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT AIR BAGS AFTER HITTING A DEER AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. *CN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER THEN WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP, TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE AIR BAG LIG…
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2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT AIR BAGS AFTER HITTING A DEER AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. *CN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER THEN WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP, TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
IN MARCH 5 2013 I WAS DRIVING WHILE A DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR NEXT TO ME AND MYSELF CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AS THE OWNER CAME AND GOT HER DOG FROM THE STREET. AS SOON AS THE OWNER GOT THE DOG A CAR DOING 50+MPH IN A 35MPH ZONE WAS TEXTING AND DRIVING AND THE DRIVER DIDN'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO BRAKE. THE DRIVER REAR ENDED …
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IN MARCH 5 2013 I WAS DRIVING WHILE A DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR NEXT TO ME AND MYSELF CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AS THE OWNER CAME AND GOT HER DOG FROM THE STREET. AS SOON AS THE OWNER GOT THE DOG A CAR DOING 50+MPH IN A 35MPH ZONE WAS TEXTING AND DRIVING AND THE DRIVER DIDN'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO BRAKE. THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ME SO HARD THAT THE CAR MOVED OVER 15FT. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND ALSO MY SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCKED SO DUE TO THAT MY FACE BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. I SUFFERED A LOT OF INJURIES. BROKE MY LEFT FOOT, REALLY HURT MY NECK AND SHOULDER. IF MY AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT OF BEEN BADLY INJURED LIKE I WAS. THE 2005 IMPALA WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE TRUNK INTO THE REAR SEATS. *TR
Official recalls
114V400000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.