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2005 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

499 reports with mileage · 110 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 331 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

39 crash reports13 fire reports22 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

33 reports
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131,100 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Air BagsEngineSeat BeltsCrashInjury

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 TWO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. T…

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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 TWO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,100.

NHTSA ODI #10638539

34,000 miles · Sep 19, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN WARM WEATHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (EL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN WARM WEATHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10637541

127,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECENTL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10637274

68,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury

DRIVING 2005 CHEVY IMPALA ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTH WHEN VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL, VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF OF GUARDRAIL AND SPUN AROUND THREE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP WITH VEHICLE RESTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY IN THE CORRESPONDING DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.…

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DRIVING 2005 CHEVY IMPALA ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTH WHEN VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL, VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF OF GUARDRAIL AND SPUN AROUND THREE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP WITH VEHICLE RESTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY IN THE CORRESPONDING DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START, BUT AFTER TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AGAIN AND HAD TO BE TOWED FROM ACCIDENT SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637190

9,500 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityCrash

IGNITION FAILURE CAUSED TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND RUN INTO STUMP CAUSING $3350.00 OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633473

157,000 miles · Aug 10, 2014
Air BagsCrash

THIS VEHICLE 2005 IMPALA WAS IN A ACCIDENT TWICE ONCE WHEN WE FIRST GOT IT. AND KNOW 08/04/2014 WITH FRONT END DAMAGE. EITHER TIME NO AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED!!!!! THE LAST ACCIDENT WAS A DIRECT HIT TO THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE!!! NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10621197

178,966 miles · May 21, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 IMPALA IN APRIL OF 2014. THERE WAS NO CHECK LIGHT ENGINE ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BUT THE LIGHT DID COME ON AND ALSO WITH THE AIRBAGS LIGHT. WHEN BRAKING BOTH LIGHTS WILL DISAPPEAR. AT TIMES OF ACCELERATING, THE LIGHTS WILL APPEAR. ALSO, I HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS AFFECTING MY HEADLIGHTS, R…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 IMPALA IN APRIL OF 2014. THERE WAS NO CHECK LIGHT ENGINE ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BUT THE LIGHT DID COME ON AND ALSO WITH THE AIRBAGS LIGHT. WHEN BRAKING BOTH LIGHTS WILL DISAPPEAR. AT TIMES OF ACCELERATING, THE LIGHTS WILL APPEAR. ALSO, I HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS AFFECTING MY HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND MY KEY WILL BARELY TURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593166

74,000 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT PREVENTED THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT INVESTIGATED. UPDATED 3/9/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10583304

97,000 miles · Mar 28, 2014
Air BagsSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT AL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG COIL SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10575434

79,500 miles · Dec 29, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

AUGUST 2013 INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, QUICK DECELERATION, FRONTAL CRASH. OTHER DRIVER PULLED INTO TRAFFIC, WITH HER VIEW BLOCKED OF MOVING TRAFFIC APPROACHING HER. ONCE THE TRUCK DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME TURNED SHE WAS STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP MY CAR QUICKLY BUT DID NOT HAVE MORE THAN 4 SECONDS IN WHICH TO ST…

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AUGUST 2013 INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, QUICK DECELERATION, FRONTAL CRASH. OTHER DRIVER PULLED INTO TRAFFIC, WITH HER VIEW BLOCKED OF MOVING TRAFFIC APPROACHING HER. ONCE THE TRUCK DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME TURNED SHE WAS STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP MY CAR QUICKLY BUT DID NOT HAVE MORE THAN 4 SECONDS IN WHICH TO STOP MY CAR. I IMPACTED THE FRONT END, DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL, AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF A 2005 HONDA CIVIC. THE 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA SHOULDER HARNESS LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. MY BODY PROPELLED FORWARD UPON BRAKING AND I IMPACTED WITH A FULLY EXTENDED SHOULDER HARNESS. THE LENGTH OF THE SHOULDER HARNESS ONLY EXTENDS TO 1.5 INCHES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, MY BODY CONTINUED TO TRAVEL BEYOND THE EXTENSION OF THE HARNESS CAUSING INJURY TO MY LEFT CLAVICLE, UPPER STERNUM, NECK, SHOULDERS AND RIBS. MY UPPER BODY, STERNUM AND TORSO HIT THE STEERING RESULTING IN WHIPLASH, TO INCLUDE ABDOMINAL, NECK, STERNUM, CLAVICLE, SHOULDER AND SCAPULOTHORACIC INJURIES. MY KNEE HIT THE DASH UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557621

Official recalls

1

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.