RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Impala Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
330
Latest Dec 30, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
54%
of 609 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
15
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 330 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 330, in the owner's own words

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
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
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
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
Electrical
Filed Mar 22, 2018

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 ID
11080921
Incident
Mar 19, 2018
Mileage
117,594 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 2017
Fire reported

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 ID
11040267
Incident
Oct 25, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOR APPROXIMATELY THE LAST SIX MONTHS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET DEALER IN WILLOUGHBY, OHIO FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID
11000155
Incident
Jun 19, 2017
Mileage
106,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S POWER SEIZED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10985824
Incident
Apr 1, 2017
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 26, 2017

SPEED GAGE IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT WILL WORK AND STOP WORKING IN ROTATION. WHEN CAR IN NOT IN MOVEMENT, IT SOMETIMES SHOWS VEHICLE IS GOING A SPEED OF 60 TO 120 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN IN MOTION THE GAGE MOVES FROM RANDOM SPEED TO SPEED. SOMETIMES AT ESTIMATED SPEED OF 60 MILES PER HOUR THE GAGE IS SHOWING 5 MILES PER HOUR OR MAYBE 105 MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ID
10980795
Incident
Apr 25, 2017
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 4, 2017

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT WORKING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.

NHTSA ID
10970476
Incident
Apr 2, 2017
Electrical
Filed Dec 20, 2016

WHEN STATIONARY AND THE KEY IS INSERTED, THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN THEREFORE THE ENGINE WILL NOT START. WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN IT IN FOR THE RECALL AND ALL THAT WAS DONE WAS THE KEY WAS RETROFITTED BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS FULL REPLACEMENT. THIS HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE RECALL AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AFTER THE RECALL. REPAIR COSTS HAVE BECOME EXPENSIVE AND UNAFFORDABLE!!!

NHTSA ID
10936441
Incident
Dec 19, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 5, 2016

THE INDICATORS IN THE FRONT PANEL NEXT TO THE STEERING WHEEL WORK INCONSISTENTLY. THE SPEEDOMETER, THE ODOMETER, GAS GAUGE, TURN SIGNALS,AND EMERGENCY BLINKER SIGNAL WORK SPORADICALLY. THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. SO IT IS DANGEROUS TO TRY TO TURN LEFT WHEN CARS ARE ADVANCING TOWARDS ME OR TO TURN RIGHT WHEN CARS ARE DRIVING BEHIND ME. THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHT FOR LOW GAS IS THE ONLY CONSISTENT WORKING SIGNAL. THIS CONDITION HAS EXISTED FOR TWO YEARS.

NHTSA ID
10893598
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 22, 2016

I HAVE ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THE LIST COULD GO ON.I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND PAID CASH FOR IT.ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO MY DASH METERS STARTED GOING OUT.I HAVE ALMOST RAN OUT OF GAS ON MAY OCCASIONS WITH MY CHILDREN.THE SPEEDOMETER GOES OUT AND I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC.ALSO MY POWER STEERING PUMP DECIDED THAT IT WANTED TO LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A PARKING LOT.IT'S LEAKING AND MESSING UP OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR I BELIEVE.MY CAR HAS BEEN MAINTENANCE AND CARED FOR.THESE PROBLEM CAME OUT OF NO WHERE WITHOUT WARNING.THEY SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MAKERS AND NOT THE CONSUMERS.THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT WARRANTS A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10875880
Incident
Jan 21, 2016
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 22, 2016

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT THE STICK ON IT'S OWN.I HEAR A POP SOUND WHEN IT HAPPENS.THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM IN MOTION AND DRIVING THE CAR..I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL LAST YEAR TO REPLACE A IGNITION SWITCH.IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW WEEKS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL,UNTIL I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT MOVED ON IT'S OWN. ALSO LAST YEAR I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED ON MY CAR.IT HAD BEEN LEAKING GAS FOR A WHILE.THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED.THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS DURING THE TIME.

NHTSA ID
10875870
Incident
Jun 6, 2016
Mileage
98,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE TO A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10875307
Incident
Jun 16, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFCATURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10875171
Incident
Jun 11, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER WHO ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10852513
Incident
Jan 20, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10850870
Incident
Aug 13, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Mar 21, 2016

2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STOPS AND STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. THE MANIFOLD GASKET, THERMOSTAT, ABS MODULE AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10846519
Incident
Oct 28, 2015
Electrical
Filed Mar 7, 2016

SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START RIGHT AWAY. THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. WE HAVE HAD TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO TRY AGAIN. TO BYPASS THIS WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN, INSERT THE KEY AND WAIT 5 SECONDS, TURN THE KEY TO ACC AND WAIT ANOTHER 5 SECONDS. THEN WE TURN THE KEY TO START BUT DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE UNTIL THE DOOR OPEN WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THIS WILL GIVE THE VEHICLE A MOMENT TO PASS THE SECURITY ISSUE AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP. I HATE DOING THIS EVERY TIME! THERE HAS TO BE A FIX WE CAN ALL AFFORD. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND IN AN EMERGENCY I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO GUESS OR HOPE OR EVEN WASTE 20 SECONDS TO START MY VEHICLE. THIS IS ANNOYING AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. OR AT LEAST PAY HALF OF THE REPAIRS AND DIAGNOSIS. PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT AN EMERGENCY TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL OR URGENT CARE SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED BY THE WHAT-IFS OF A CAR STARTING PROPERLY OR WASTING 10 MINUTES TO TRY AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10840241
Incident
Mar 5, 2016
Electrical
Filed Feb 3, 2016

SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT WORK. GETS STRUCK AND WILL RETURN TO NORMAL IF BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED OR IF CAR IS SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN SUCCESSION.

NHTSA ID
10824120
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
115,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .