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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

49 reports
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78,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011
Exterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING EARLY MORNING IT THE DARK AND MY HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING ON MY 2005 CHEVY IMPALA. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375458

180,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA . WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED INTO HER RESIDENCE AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BEFORE FOR THE MULTI FUNCT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA . WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED INTO HER RESIDENCE AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A MECHANIC BEFORE FOR THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINE IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190000.

NHTSA ODI #10354435

94,235 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Exterior Lighting

DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHIN 30-60 SECONDS OF SWITCHING FROM LOW BEAMS TO HIGH BEAMS. HEADLIGHTS STAY OUT UNTIL THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH IS FLIPPED AGAIN. IT STARTED HAPPENING ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE SPRING OF '09. AS TIME HAS PASSED, IT NOW OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME HIGH BEAMS ARE USED. CANNOT FIND A DEALER OR MECHANIC T…

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DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHIN 30-60 SECONDS OF SWITCHING FROM LOW BEAMS TO HIGH BEAMS. HEADLIGHTS STAY OUT UNTIL THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH IS FLIPPED AGAIN. IT STARTED HAPPENING ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE SPRING OF '09. AS TIME HAS PASSED, IT NOW OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME HIGH BEAMS ARE USED. CANNOT FIND A DEALER OR MECHANIC THAT CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IN POSSESSION, OR THAT HAS A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342824

100 miles · May 21, 2010
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

TAILLIGHTS ON VEHICLE FILL WITH WATER AND TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR PANEL SEVERAL TIMES...PROBLEM PERSISTED. DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM BY DRILLING HOLES IN TAILLIGHTS TO DRAIN, BUT TRUNK STILL FILLS. DEALER REMOVED PLUG FROM TRUNK. TRUNK IS FULL OF MOLD. CONTACTED GMC SEVERAL TIMES, THEY DID A…

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TAILLIGHTS ON VEHICLE FILL WITH WATER AND TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR PANEL SEVERAL TIMES...PROBLEM PERSISTED. DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM BY DRILLING HOLES IN TAILLIGHTS TO DRAIN, BUT TRUNK STILL FILLS. DEALER REMOVED PLUG FROM TRUNK. TRUNK IS FULL OF MOLD. CONTACTED GMC SEVERAL TIMES, THEY DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. SMELLS REALLY BAD IN SUMMER MONTHS. CANNOT INSERT KEY IN LOCK, PANEL IS ON CROOKED. IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR DEALER, SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331649

52,000 miles · Apr 19, 2010
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ALL OF THE VEHICLE LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) FAILED TO TURN ON WHEN THE SUN WENT DOWN AND IT BECAME DARK. HE TRIED TO USE THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. HE PU…

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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ALL OF THE VEHICLE LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) FAILED TO TURN ON WHEN THE SUN WENT DOWN AND IT BECAME DARK. HE TRIED TO USE THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. HE PULLED OVER AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE LIGHTS TURNED ON. IN APRIL 2010, WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF AGAIN. HE TRIED THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS TOLD UNLESS HE COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST HIM. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,947. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10326386

76,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN BRIGHT BEAM IS TURNED ON. WHEN YOU SWITCH BACK TO DIMS IT COMES BACK ON. AFRAID TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE. NO RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311305

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2010
Exterior Lighting

THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR WHEN ON THE BRIGHTS WILL JUST SHUT OFF, AND IT ONLY LEAVES THE MARKER LIGHTS LIT, UNTIL YOU PULL THE HEADLIGHT KNOB OUT.. WILL DO THIS INTERMITTENTLY.. HAS HAPPENED VERY OFTEN, EVERYTIME THE BRIGHTS ARE ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10306809

46,124 miles · Dec 3, 2009
Exterior Lighting

I OWN A 2005 IMPALA LS AND WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH AND THEY WENT OUT. I CYCLED THE LIGHT SWITCH 3 TIMES AND THEY WENT BACK ON. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND OVER 60 PEOP…

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I OWN A 2005 IMPALA LS AND WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH AND THEY WENT OUT. I CYCLED THE LIGHT SWITCH 3 TIMES AND THEY WENT BACK ON. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND OVER 60 PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THERE ARE A LOT MORE PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT HAVEN'T REPORTED IT. I CONTACTED GM BUT HAD NO LUCK. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO I NEED TO CONTACT BEFORE ANYONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT AND GETS HURT OR DIES.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10294390

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2009
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IF I PULL THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF IT WILL USUALLY WORK. FLICKING THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF MAY WORK TOO. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY FEATURE AND I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE CANNOT…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IF I PULL THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF IT WILL USUALLY WORK. FLICKING THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF MAY WORK TOO. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY FEATURE AND I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE CANNOT FIND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL WHEN THERE SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293347

89,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Exterior Lighting

HAD PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WEATHER IT'S LOW BEAM OR HIGH BEAM MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THEN THAT ONE ONLY LASTED 3-4 MONTHS. THIS COULD REALLY POSE A DANGER HAS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY, THE ONLY THING I COULD DUE IS HOLD BACK ON LEVER TO KEEP HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE MARKER …

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HAD PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WEATHER IT'S LOW BEAM OR HIGH BEAM MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THEN THAT ONE ONLY LASTED 3-4 MONTHS. THIS COULD REALLY POSE A DANGER HAS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY, THE ONLY THING I COULD DUE IS HOLD BACK ON LEVER TO KEEP HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE MARKER LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE IS GETTING EXPENSIVE IF I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THIS SWITCH. ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED 2005 CHEVY IMPALA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290318

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.