← New search

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 →

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

Structure complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
190,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Air BagsSteeringStructureCrash

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; …

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10885685

55,000 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainStructure

OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SHIFTS VERY HARD. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS A LOT OF RUST AND NEEDING TO HAVE BODY WORK DONE. NOW WITH A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR IT MIGHT NOT PASS INSPECTION NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THE BODY/FRAME IS SO RUSTED TH…

Read full complaint

OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SHIFTS VERY HARD. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS A LOT OF RUST AND NEEDING TO HAVE BODY WORK DONE. NOW WITH A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR IT MIGHT NOT PASS INSPECTION NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THE BODY/FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT IT WOULD COST MORE TO HAVE IT FIXED THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THE CAR IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF SO IT IS NOT FOR LACK OF CARETAKING ON MY PART. THE THIRD PROBLEM IS IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS PERIODICALLY WE CAN SMELL GAS IN THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, NOT EXHAUST FUMES - GAS. IT'S AWFUL; NAUSEATING AND UNBEARABLE. THIS SMELL CAN ALSO BE DETECTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WORRY ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE FOR THESE REASONS. ALSO, AT THIS POINT I AM AFRAID TO PARK THE CAR IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE FOR FEAR IT COULD START A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618614

109,000 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper

I NOTICED A STRANGE SMELL LIKE MELTING PLASTIC COMING FROM MY PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER. THEY DISCOVERED MY BACK WINDOW DEFROST SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. COMPLETELY MELTED IT AND RUINED THE BOX. IF I HAD WAITED ANY LONGER IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE …

Read full complaint

I NOTICED A STRANGE SMELL LIKE MELTING PLASTIC COMING FROM MY PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER. THEY DISCOVERED MY BACK WINDOW DEFROST SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. COMPLETELY MELTED IT AND RUINED THE BOX. IF I HAD WAITED ANY LONGER IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564310

70,000 miles · Feb 9, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

SEVERAL TYPES OF GM VEHICLES (APPROX 2000-2008) HAVE SEVERE LEAKING AND DECAY PROBLEMS LIKE MY CHEVY IMPALA SHOWS CURRENTLY. I NOTICED EARLY FEBRUARY 2012 WHEN MY FACTORY SPEAKERS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE RADIO SOUND DIDN'T GET THROUGH, DOOR CHIMES DIDN'T WORK, SAFETY AND WARNING CHIMES DIDN'T MAKE NOISE, ETC. A WAR…

Read full complaint

SEVERAL TYPES OF GM VEHICLES (APPROX 2000-2008) HAVE SEVERE LEAKING AND DECAY PROBLEMS LIKE MY CHEVY IMPALA SHOWS CURRENTLY. I NOTICED EARLY FEBRUARY 2012 WHEN MY FACTORY SPEAKERS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE RADIO SOUND DIDN'T GET THROUGH, DOOR CHIMES DIDN'T WORK, SAFETY AND WARNING CHIMES DIDN'T MAKE NOISE, ETC. A WARNING CHIME DIDN'T SIGNAL FOR ME TO TURN OFF MY LIGHTS ON A RAINY DAY AT A GROCERY STORE SO THAT WHEN I CAME BACK, I WAS STRANDED! THIS HOWEVER ISN'T THE BIG PROBLEM. THIS LEAK UNDER THE COWL SEEMS TO BE PROMINENT IN MANY OTHER VEHICLES AND ALLOWED GALLONS TO ENTER IN UNDER MY RUGS, FLOOR MATS ETC., AND TRAVEL ALL OVER THE PASSENGER CABIN SO THAT WIRES WERE SUBMERGED, CORRODED, MOLD GREW, AND AIRBAG SENSOR HUBS BECAME ISLANDS. YES MY AIRBAG SENSORS AND WIRING ARE SUBMERGED WITH WATER! PLEASE HAVE GM RECALL THIS COMMON PROBLEM TO FIX THIS! MY CAR SMELLS TERRIBLE INSIDE FROM THIS (ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER) AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, I AM WORRIED THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL MALFUNCTION. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447263

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2011
Structure

I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN CHEVY, LOVE THEM. HOWEVER, IN EACH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY DOORS. I OWN A 2005 IMPALA,, AND ALL OF MY DOORS ARE NOT WORKING, TWO DO NOT WORK AT ALL 1 HAS TO BE HELD CLOSED WITH A ROPE AND THE LAST IS STARTING TO SHOW SIGNS OF BREAKING. I HAVE TAKEN TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE…

Read full complaint

I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN CHEVY, LOVE THEM. HOWEVER, IN EACH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY DOORS. I OWN A 2005 IMPALA,, AND ALL OF MY DOORS ARE NOT WORKING, TWO DO NOT WORK AT ALL 1 HAS TO BE HELD CLOSED WITH A ROPE AND THE LAST IS STARTING TO SHOW SIGNS OF BREAKING. I HAVE TAKEN TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM PERIOD. UM, THIS COST ME MONEY TO DO SO. PLEASE DIRECT ME TO ANY RECALLS OR HOW ON EARTH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, CHEAPLY OR FREE SINCE IT HAS GOT TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430415

71,292 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Structure

REAR SPOILER FLEW OFF OF TRUNK LID AT 70-75 MPH ON I-35 NEAR ROUND ROCK TX ON 11/7/10 - EXACT LOCATION UNKNOWN CAUSING $225 DAMAGES TO OUR CAR AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT OTHER CONSEQUENCES MAY HAVE OCCURRED TO OTHERS. ELIMINATED THE REAR SPOILER - DID NOT REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365697

90,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT ENTER THE KEYHOLE OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10352325

100 miles · May 21, 2010
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

TAILLIGHTS ON VEHICLE FILL WITH WATER AND TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR PANEL SEVERAL TIMES...PROBLEM PERSISTED. DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM BY DRILLING HOLES IN TAILLIGHTS TO DRAIN, BUT TRUNK STILL FILLS. DEALER REMOVED PLUG FROM TRUNK. TRUNK IS FULL OF MOLD. CONTACTED GMC SEVERAL TIMES, THEY DID A…

Read full complaint

TAILLIGHTS ON VEHICLE FILL WITH WATER AND TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR PANEL SEVERAL TIMES...PROBLEM PERSISTED. DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM BY DRILLING HOLES IN TAILLIGHTS TO DRAIN, BUT TRUNK STILL FILLS. DEALER REMOVED PLUG FROM TRUNK. TRUNK IS FULL OF MOLD. CONTACTED GMC SEVERAL TIMES, THEY DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. SMELLS REALLY BAD IN SUMMER MONTHS. CANNOT INSERT KEY IN LOCK, PANEL IS ON CROOKED. IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR DEALER, SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331649

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2010
Structure

WHEN RAINING WATER FILLS PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS AND GOES IN BEHIND DASH. HAS CAUSED THE RADIO TO QUIT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326764

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2009
StructureInjury

I OPENED THE TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE 2005 CHEVY IMPALA, REACHED INSIDE TO GET SOMETHING THE SUSPENSION CYLINDERS THAT HOLDS THE TRUNK UP BROKE & CAME DOWN ON TOP OF ME. CAUSING A HEAD LACERATION & FILLETED MY FOREARM. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE MADE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IT WOULD HAVE KILLED A CHILD HAD I BEEN HOLDING ONE. THEY NEED T…

Read full complaint

I OPENED THE TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE 2005 CHEVY IMPALA, REACHED INSIDE TO GET SOMETHING THE SUSPENSION CYLINDERS THAT HOLDS THE TRUNK UP BROKE & CAME DOWN ON TOP OF ME. CAUSING A HEAD LACERATION & FILLETED MY FOREARM. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE MADE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IT WOULD HAVE KILLED A CHILD HAD I BEEN HOLDING ONE. THEY NEED TO MAKE THIS A SAFER PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278976

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.