Total Complaints
809 filings
CHEVROLET IMPALA · model year
809 NHTSA complaints, 62 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005CHEVROLETIMPALA carries 809 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 62 crashes, 20 fires, 50 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 IMPALA is electrical system with 218 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (91) and steering (52). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2005 IMPALA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
809 filings
Crashes Reported
62 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 218 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 91 |
| STEERING | 52 |
| POWER TRAIN | 39 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 34 |
| ENGINE | 30 |
| AIR BAGS | 25 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 23 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 23 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 17 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 16 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 13 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 12 |
STEERING
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU
STEERING
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 agen
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
When 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.
Transmission shifts hard after engine warms up.
The car shuts off while driving. Loose power steering hazardous while turning at higher speeds... dangerous for. Vehicles in front or back . The car also jumps or jolts when driving. And looses power causing severe loss of control especially when icy or snow road conditions.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, suddenly there was an abnormal wind sound inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof had detached from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 10 MPH, TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER INTERSTATE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A POLE. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND THE HOOD WAS DAMAGED FROM THE CRASH. A STATE TROOPER ASSISTED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO THEIR DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT BACK TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE HAD BEEN PROVIDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.
Mileage: 194,000
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I WAS TRYING TO TURN INTO MY JOB AND I MADE IT ABOUT HALF WAY INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE PART OF MY CAR WAS STI'LL IN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR JUST SHIFTED DOWN INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO DRIVE SO I ENDED UP HAVING TO BE TOWED INTO THE PARKING LOT BY A YOUNG MAN THAT STOPPED TO HELP GI'VE ME A HAND TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE ROAD I WAS ON A MAJOR STREET THAT GETS TRAVELSE ALOT AND IT WAS DRIVING JUST FINE UNTIL I WENT TO TURN INTO MY JOB AND IT JUST QUIT SHIFTING PERIOD
TRANSMISSION HAS HARD SHIFTING AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP, ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. STOP AND GO TRAFFIC SEEMS TO START THE PROBLEM FASTER THAN HIGHWAY DRIVING.
Mileage: 44,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE MECHANIC CONTACTED AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,886.
Mileage: 105,886
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO READ ACCURATELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED INACCURATE SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED SPEEDS EXCEEDING 120 MPH. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO READ ACCURATELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED INACCURATE SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED SPEEDS EXCEEDING 120 MPH. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY DISLODGED FROM THE IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER DUE TO THE KEY NOT REMAINING IN THE RUN POSITION. THE CONTACT WOULD MANUALLY REMOVE AND REPLACE THE KEY FOR NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'RIELLY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 6160 E BROADWAY BLVD, TUCSON, AZ 85711, WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
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.
Mileage: 190,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED DUE TO AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT THAT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT BY THE RADIO SYSTEM COMES ON AND DRAINS THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET (3222 BEVERLY PIKE, ELKINS, WV 26241, (304) 591-1077) STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WAS $100 PER HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Mileage: 134,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED DUE TO AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT THAT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT BY THE RADIO SYSTEM COMES ON AND DRAINS THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET (3222 BEVERLY PIKE, ELKINS, WV 26241, (304) 591-1077) STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WAS $100 PER HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Mileage: 134,000
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.
Mileage: 99,000
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.
Mileage: 99,000
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.
Mileage: 99,000
HI I PURCHASED MY IMPALA LAST YEAR USED AND FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 6 MONTHS IT RAN FINE...NOW ELECTRICAL PANEL GOES ON THE FRITZ DIMMING MY LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD...POWER WINDOWS AND MIRRORS NOT WORKING... ALSO ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHTS ON CONSISTENTLY...TRACTION RANDOMLY ACTIVATES AND CAR LIGHTERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS SPECIFIC MODEL AND IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ALSO TURN KEY TO START CAR AND THE CAR DOESN'T START SO I DO THIS 2-3 TIMES TO START CAR UP...REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL 2005 IMPALAS
Mileage: 150,000
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.