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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

Power Train complaints

52 reports
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27,500 miles · Feb 5, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND IT WOULD REGISTER 100 MPH WHEN I WAS NOT GOING BUT ABOUT 30 MPH. AROUND THE SAME TIME MY HORN QUIT WORKING. WHEN I HONKED IT, IT WOULD SOUND FAINT UNTIL IT JUST QUIT. ALSO, WHEN I TRY TO PUT MY CAR IN GEAR IT IS REALLY HARD TO AT TIMES. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY …

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ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND IT WOULD REGISTER 100 MPH WHEN I WAS NOT GOING BUT ABOUT 30 MPH. AROUND THE SAME TIME MY HORN QUIT WORKING. WHEN I HONKED IT, IT WOULD SOUND FAINT UNTIL IT JUST QUIT. ALSO, WHEN I TRY TO PUT MY CAR IN GEAR IT IS REALLY HARD TO AT TIMES. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY GO INTO GEAR IT MAKES A REALLY LOUD THUD NOISE. NOW I HAVE A LEAK IN MY RADIATOR THAT HAS BEEN GRADUALLY GETTING BIGGER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST. NOW I'M NOT SO SURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257546

112,107 miles · Feb 2, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. I ONLY HAVE 100,00 MILES ON AN 2005 CHEVY IMPALA, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR. NOW IN DECEMBER I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257129

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2008
Electrical SystemPower Train

MY SPEEDOMETER IS READING 100 MPH WHEN I'M ONLY GOING 40 - 50. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER MAY MOVE TO 60. IT'S TAKEN UP TO 3 - 4 DAYS TO MOVE BACK DOWN TO THE 0. THEN THE SAME PROCESS WILL START ALL OVER AGAIN. THE CAR ALSO TENDS TO DRIVE SLUGGISH WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. COULD IT BE THE SPEEDOMETER OR TRA…

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MY SPEEDOMETER IS READING 100 MPH WHEN I'M ONLY GOING 40 - 50. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER MAY MOVE TO 60. IT'S TAKEN UP TO 3 - 4 DAYS TO MOVE BACK DOWN TO THE 0. THEN THE SAME PROCESS WILL START ALL OVER AGAIN. THE CAR ALSO TENDS TO DRIVE SLUGGISH WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. COULD IT BE THE SPEEDOMETER OR TRANSMISSION??? I'VE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER IN THE DASH BUT WILL THAT PREVENT THE SLUGGISHNESS ALSO? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245646

24,100 miles · May 25, 2007
Power TrainCrash

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 GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE. T…

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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 GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 30,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,100.

NHTSA ODI #10191741

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2006
Power Train

2005 CHEVY IMPALA, NOT ONLY MINE BUT I'VE ALSO READ OTHERS THAT ON AN INCLINE THEY TEND TO ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN FOOT IS TAKEN OF BRAKE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM--NOT SOMETHING THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THANKS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172814

24,695 miles · Apr 8, 2006
Power Train

THIS IS RENTAL CAR FROM ALAMO. CAR WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS STOPPED ON A LITTLE INCLINED ROADSIDE. ALL PEOPLE EXITED CAR. CAR WAS SUDDENLY MOVED BACKWARDS AND I HAD TO JUMP IN TO THE CAR AND APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. CAR WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. RIGHT SIDE DOOR HIT ROAD SIGN AND CAR DAMAGED. IT CAN BE VERY VE…

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THIS IS RENTAL CAR FROM ALAMO. CAR WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS STOPPED ON A LITTLE INCLINED ROADSIDE. ALL PEOPLE EXITED CAR. CAR WAS SUDDENLY MOVED BACKWARDS AND I HAD TO JUMP IN TO THE CAR AND APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. CAR WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. RIGHT SIDE DOOR HIT ROAD SIGN AND CAR DAMAGED. IT CAN BE VERY VERY RISKY IF THERE WAS OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154868

27,000 miles · Nov 28, 2005
Power Train

ON THE 2005 CHEVY IMPALA, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE "ACC" POSITION AND WITHOUT THE CAR BEING STARTED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143847

29,000 miles · Nov 14, 2005
Power Train

WHEN IN DRIVE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS EVEN ON SLIGHT INCLINE, ALSO ROLLS FORWARDS IN REVERSE EVEN ON SLIGHT HILL OR INCLINE, HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL OF THESE CARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142604

35 miles · Sep 17, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

1. UNDER CHASSIS CORROSION PROTECTION FAILURE- KEY SUSPENSION AND POWER TRAIN COMPONENTS AFFECTING SAFE OPERATION. 2. FACTORY DID NOT APPLY STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY ANTI CORROSION COATINGS PRIOR TO SHIPMENT. DAMAGE OCCURRED PRIOR TO DEALER RECEIPT. #. FACTORY REP HAS NOT PROVIDED OR APPROVED ANY POSSIBLE REMEDY AT THIS TIM…

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1. UNDER CHASSIS CORROSION PROTECTION FAILURE- KEY SUSPENSION AND POWER TRAIN COMPONENTS AFFECTING SAFE OPERATION. 2. FACTORY DID NOT APPLY STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY ANTI CORROSION COATINGS PRIOR TO SHIPMENT. DAMAGE OCCURRED PRIOR TO DEALER RECEIPT. #. FACTORY REP HAS NOT PROVIDED OR APPROVED ANY POSSIBLE REMEDY AT THIS TIME. PROBLEM WAS OBSERVED AT FIRST OIL CHANGE-25 JULY 05 -FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS ON LIFT AFTER DELIVERY TO CUSTOMER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10136826

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2005
Power Train

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS. AND WHEN…

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CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS. AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10133454

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.