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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.

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

What owners actually said

609 reports
125,015 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT IN A CIRCLE AS THE CAR VEERED OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT IN A CIRCLE AS THE CAR VEERED OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING AND ENGINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,015.

NHTSA ODI #11144507

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 · Jul 26, 2018
Service BrakesSteeringWheels

TAKATA RECALL: SHUTS OFF ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL. LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF BRAKES, CAR SHAKES. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN SIGNALING FOR TURNS. CAR BEGAN SHAKING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL, BATTERY, AB, AND OTHER SENSOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON. ODOMETER BECAME EXEMPT 2016, BUT SELLER, CACHE VALLEY AUTO SALES, LEWISTON, UT HA…

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TAKATA RECALL: SHUTS OFF ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL. LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF BRAKES, CAR SHAKES. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN SIGNALING FOR TURNS. CAR BEGAN SHAKING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL, BATTERY, AB, AND OTHER SENSOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON. ODOMETER BECAME EXEMPT 2016, BUT SELLER, CACHE VALLEY AUTO SALES, LEWISTON, UT HAS ODOMETER AT 142,221 MILES. THE SELLER REFUSES TO FIX, OR EXCHANGE FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11114013

68,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #11103977

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

130,000 miles · Apr 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WONT GO INTO PARK, KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WHILE TRYING TO PARK

NHTSA ODI #11089806

117,594 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A HUMMING NOISE EMERGED FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A HUMMING NOISE EMERGED FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE FINANCIAL HELP FROM THEM, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAFONTAINE CHEVROLET IN DEXTER, MICHIGAN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER DECLINED THE REPAIRS UNLESS PAID IN FULL. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-3990929035. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,594.

NHTSA ODI #11080921

160,000 miles · Oct 26, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND SMELLED SMOKE. SOMETHING UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR MUST HAVE BEEN BURNING BECAUSE THERE WAS A DISTINCT SMELL OF SMOKE WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD. WHEN THE ROAD SERVICE ATTENDANT TRIED TO JUMP THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY, SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FUSE BOX AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START.

NHTSA ODI #11040267

196,000 miles · Aug 24, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

NHTSA ODI #11019446

131,000 miles · Aug 2, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET WHILE THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING. THE LOCAL DEALER, RICHARD LUCAS CH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET WHILE THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING. THE LOCAL DEALER, RICHARD LUCAS CHEVROLET 1077 US HIGHWAY SOUTH, AVENEL, NJ 07001, WAS CONTACTED AND APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTICS WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000. UPDATED 10/25/17*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #11012384

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.