RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Impala Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
609
Latest Jun 16, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
52
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Dec 21, 2004

What this page shows

Our database holds 609 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Impala. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 609 · page 1 of 25

Airbags
Filed Jun 16, 2026

On 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)

NHTSA ID
11744464
Incident
Jun 11, 2026
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 30, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11633118
Incident
Dec 30, 2024
Mileage
200,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 26, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11632541
Incident
Nov 22, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 3, 2024

Transmission shifts hard after engine warms up.

NHTSA ID
11592236
Incident
Jun 3, 2024
Filed Jan 4, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11500198
Incident
Jan 4, 2023
Visibility
Filed Sep 16, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11484788
Incident
Jun 16, 2022
Mileage
140,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 13, 2021
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11416500
Incident
May 9, 2021
Mileage
194,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 1, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11398321
Incident
Feb 28, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 10, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11374004
Incident
Oct 15, 2020
Mileage
44,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11372377
Incident
Oct 8, 2020
Mileage
105,886 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 23, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11360794
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11338695
Incident
Jul 10, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2020

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 ID
11322835
Incident
Jan 3, 2020
Mileage
190,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 24, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11301577
Incident
Dec 23, 2019
Mileage
134,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 16, 2019

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 ID
11232605
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
99,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 24, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11191163
Incident
Oct 15, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 5, 2019

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 ID
11184322
Incident
Jan 10, 2019
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 31, 2019

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 ID
11173352
Incident
Jan 3, 2019
Mileage
172,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 7, 2018

MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY OUT OF WACK !! NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE WORKING AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURS IN THIS MODEL CAR . THIS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN A RECALL!!

NHTSA ID
11156798
Incident
May 11, 2015
Mileage
42,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 20, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG BEND CHEVROLET BUICK (LOCATED AT 1424 N YOUNG BLVD, CHIEFLAND, FL 32626, (352) 493-4263) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE CONTACT DID NOT HEED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *TT *TR *BF*JB

NHTSA ID
11152911
Incident
Oct 19, 2018
Mileage
89,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 31, 2018

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 ID
11144507
Incident
Oct 31, 2018
Mileage
125,015 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Aug 24, 2018

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 ID
11122177
Incident
Aug 9, 2016
Mileage
140,745 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jul 26, 2018

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 ID
11114013
Incident
May 31, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jun 26, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

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 ID
11103977
Incident
Jun 16, 2018
Mileage
68,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2018

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 ID
11090207
Incident
Apr 15, 1986

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