2005 Chevrolet Impala problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (161) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (78) · Steering (46)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Impala model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
498 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-07-03 · campaign 14V400000 · 5,877,718 vehicles
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, 1998-200
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (555)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Unknown Or Other 2024-12-07 · PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. the j-35616-64b is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. the test probe
Showing the 6 most recent of 555 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-16 · Unknown Or Other“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)…”
2024-12-30 · Power Train · 200,000 mi“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 illuminat…”
2024-12-26 · Air Bags“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.…”
2024-06-03 · Power Train“transmission shifts hard after engine warms up. …”
2023-01-04 · Unknown Or Other“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. …”
2022-09-16 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 140,000 mi“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…”
2021-05-13 · Steering · 194,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 s…”
2021-03-01 · Power Train“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…”
2020-11-10 · Power Train · 44,000 mi“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.…”
2020-10-30 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · 105,886 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.