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2005 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine complaints

30 reports
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190,000 miles · Apr 30, 2020
Engine

WHEN I GO TO TURN ON MY CAR IT DOES NOT TURN ON. IT TAKES A COUPLE TRIES TO GET THE CAR STARTED. ON TOP OF THAT PROBLEM THE CAR IS NOW JOLTING WHEN I ACCELERATE. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR AND HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF IT AND BEFOREHAND IT WAS AT A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY CONCERNED SINCE I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN GOING IN MY …

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WHEN I GO TO TURN ON MY CAR IT DOES NOT TURN ON. IT TAKES A COUPLE TRIES TO GET THE CAR STARTED. ON TOP OF THAT PROBLEM THE CAR IS NOW JOLTING WHEN I ACCELERATE. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR AND HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF IT AND BEFOREHAND IT WAS AT A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY CONCERNED SINCE I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN GOING IN MY CAR AND IT'S MY TRANSPORTATION TO MAKE MY INCOME.

NHTSA ODI #11322835

99,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

INTERNAL SECURITY SYSTEM FAILS WITHOUT NOTICE, CAR WONT START. SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON OR FLASHES. CAR STILL WONT START. IT CAN BE HOURS OR EVEN DAYS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM RESETS AND CAR STARTS AND WORKS. BUT THEN WILL SOON FAIL AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. HAS COASTED ME SEVERAL JOBS, LOSS WORK HOURS, AND EXTRA MONEY I SP…

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INTERNAL SECURITY SYSTEM FAILS WITHOUT NOTICE, CAR WONT START. SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON OR FLASHES. CAR STILL WONT START. IT CAN BE HOURS OR EVEN DAYS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM RESETS AND CAR STARTS AND WORKS. BUT THEN WILL SOON FAIL AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. HAS COASTED ME SEVERAL JOBS, LOSS WORK HOURS, AND EXTRA MONEY I SPENT ON STARTER, BUT CAME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE SECURITY FEATURE CHEVY PUT IN, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11232605

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, THE AIR BAG OFF AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES FLICKERED. ALSO, FOUR MISFIRES OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, THE AIR BAG OFF AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES FLICKERED. ALSO, FOUR MISFIRES OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11184322

172,000 miles · Jan 31, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE JUST PURCHASED WHIC WAS VAVOLINE WHEN PLACED IN VEHICLE ENGINE THERMAL VISCOSITY BREAKDOWN HAPPENED AND ENGINE BLOCK SEIZED. RESTARTED AFTER OIL CHANGE SAME OIL ENGINE BLOCK SEIZED. WITH WHAT I'M READING AND WATCHING THE THIRD OR FOURTH VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAYBE IT'S THE MOTOR OIL. I UN…

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I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE JUST PURCHASED WHIC WAS VAVOLINE WHEN PLACED IN VEHICLE ENGINE THERMAL VISCOSITY BREAKDOWN HAPPENED AND ENGINE BLOCK SEIZED. RESTARTED AFTER OIL CHANGE SAME OIL ENGINE BLOCK SEIZED. WITH WHAT I'M READING AND WATCHING THE THIRD OR FOURTH VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAYBE IT'S THE MOTOR OIL. I UNDERSTAND THAT HIGH HEAT BREAKS DOWN RAPIDLY WITH SOY BASED LUBRICANTS. I UNDERSTAND YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO ADMIT THIS OR ARE UNAWARE BUT COULD YOU PLEASE KEEP ON FILE.

NHTSA ODI #11173352

140,745 miles · Aug 24, 2018
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,745. **TR CONSUMER STATED THE CAR'S BATTERY DRAINS QUICKLY AND WHEN TURNING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. UPDATED 11/19/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11122177

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2018
Engine

I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY ALONG WITH NEW TIRES HOPING THAT ALL THE JERKING WOULD STOP HOWEVER THEY DIDN'T! THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE BAD TIMING OR NOT WANTING TO SHIFT IN RIGHT HEARS

NHTSA ODI #11090207

140,000 miles · Feb 16, 2017
Engine

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DEVELOP A SHUDDER AT 140000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET LOOKED AT. THE LAS RESORT WOULD BE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT TAKE OFF RIGHT AWAY OR SHAKE PRETTY BAD MAKING IT SEEM OR FEEL THAT IT WILL STOP, SHUT DOWN, OR JAM UP EVEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN…

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THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DEVELOP A SHUDDER AT 140000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET LOOKED AT. THE LAS RESORT WOULD BE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT TAKE OFF RIGHT AWAY OR SHAKE PRETTY BAD MAKING IT SEEM OR FEEL THAT IT WILL STOP, SHUT DOWN, OR JAM UP EVEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. IT HAPPENS AT STOP LIGHTS, WHILE RUNNING, AND WHILE TURNING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE MANY PEOPLE WASTE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10955058

175,555 miles · Apr 21, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

175555 MILES FUEL SMELL AND FUEL LOSS WHEN CAR IS RUNNING. ROUGH START, SOME MISSING. FUEL FILTER FAILED AT FILTER INLET SPRAYING GAS ONTO UNDERBODY OF CAR SO DIDN'T SEE THE FUEL SPILL. REPLACED FILTER AND O RINGS.SQUEALING BELT SOUND AT START UP. SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BROKE, REPLACED TENSIONER AND BELT. NO CHECK ENGINE WAR…

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175555 MILES FUEL SMELL AND FUEL LOSS WHEN CAR IS RUNNING. ROUGH START, SOME MISSING. FUEL FILTER FAILED AT FILTER INLET SPRAYING GAS ONTO UNDERBODY OF CAR SO DIDN'T SEE THE FUEL SPILL. REPLACED FILTER AND O RINGS.SQUEALING BELT SOUND AT START UP. SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BROKE, REPLACED TENSIONER AND BELT. NO CHECK ENGINE WARNINGS, NO ELECTRONIC GAUGES I HAVE THE BASIC IMPALA MODEL. WATCHED THE FUEL GAUGE DROP BY LINES WHILE DRIVING AND SMELLED GAS WHEN SHUT OFF CAR. FIRE HAZARD, AND ENGINE FAILURE IF THE BELT BROKE COMPLETELY..ANOTHER 300$ SPENT

NHTSA ODI #10860661

294,000 miles · Dec 31, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATION DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATION DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE PLATE HAD CARBON BUILD-UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 294,000.

NHTSA ODI #10817178

85,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE GAUGES PROVIDED INCORRECT READINGS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND THE ABS, CHECK ENGINE, AND MULTIPLE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE GAUGES PROVIDED INCORRECT READINGS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND THE ABS, CHECK ENGINE, AND MULTIPLE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP AND MULTIPLE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10811688

Official recalls

1

14V400000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.