VehicleVerdict

2005 Chevrolet Impala problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 811 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 180.2 times the median Impala year — the 2005 model ranks #11 of 52 Impala years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 50 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 43% of all reports (350 of 811), far ahead of engine at 64.

811

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

62

Crash-involved

20

Fires reported

50

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Impala years?

See all Impala years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Impala problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System35043%
Engine648%
Steering607%
Brakes547%
Transmission526%
Lighting526%
Fuel System435%
Airbags334%
Speed Control243%
Other223%
Visibility & Wipers213%
Body & Structure101%
Tires & Wheels81%
Suspension71%
Seat Belts71%
Seats20%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V400000Electrical SystemJuly 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 units

Defect

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

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.

09E005000SteeringFebruary 17, 2009 · 979 units

Defect

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 THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Consequence

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

08E063000SteeringOctober 17, 2008 · 3,855 units

Defect

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 DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Consequence

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THIS PAST SUMMER IN JUNE, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 40-80 MPH WHEN STOPPED/IDLE. PROBLEM SUBSIDED AFTER A FEW WEEKS. MORE RECENTLY, WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS, MY SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2005 IMPALA WOULD GRADUALLY GO DOWN GRADUALLY DURING LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL (100MI+) ON THE I-10. TO ME, THIS IS A VERY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 22, 2008 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT SECURE AROUND THE OCCUPANTS AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 14, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE TURNING. THE CONTACT THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 28, 2012 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 4, 2014 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 2006 · crash

2005 Chevrolet Impala — common questions

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Impala reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 811 complaints put the 2005 model at #11 of 52 Impala years. It is one of the Impala years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Impala problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (350 complaints), engine (64 complaints), steering (60 complaints).

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Chevrolet Impala. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Impala years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Impala years to avoid are 2004, 2009, 2008, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2012, 2016, 2017, 1996, 2018, 1995, 2019. The cleanest record among Impala years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.