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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

Steering complaints

60 reports
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194,000 miles · May 13, 2021
SteeringCrash

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 REPLA…

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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 SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO THEIR DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT BACK TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE HAD BEEN PROVIDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

NHTSA ODI #11416500

134,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED DUE TO AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT THAT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT BY THE RADIO SYSTEM COMES ON AND DRAINS THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED DUE TO AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT THAT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT BY THE RADIO SYSTEM COMES ON AND DRAINS THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET (3222 BEVERLY PIKE, ELKINS, WV 26241, (304) 591-1077) STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WAS $100 PER HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11301577

125,015 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT IN A CIRCLE AS THE CAR VEERED OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT IN A CIRCLE AS THE CAR VEERED OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING AND ENGINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,015.

NHTSA ODI #11144507

140,745 miles · Aug 24, 2018
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,745. **TR CONSUMER STATED THE CAR'S BATTERY DRAINS QUICKLY AND WHEN TURNING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. UPDATED 11/19/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11122177

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2018
Service BrakesSteeringWheels

TAKATA RECALL: SHUTS OFF ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL. LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF BRAKES, CAR SHAKES. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN SIGNALING FOR TURNS. CAR BEGAN SHAKING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL, BATTERY, AB, AND OTHER SENSOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON. ODOMETER BECAME EXEMPT 2016, BUT SELLER, CACHE VALLEY AUTO SALES, LEWISTON, UT HA…

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TAKATA RECALL: SHUTS OFF ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL. LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF BRAKES, CAR SHAKES. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN SIGNALING FOR TURNS. CAR BEGAN SHAKING WITH LOSS OF CONTROL, BATTERY, AB, AND OTHER SENSOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON. ODOMETER BECAME EXEMPT 2016, BUT SELLER, CACHE VALLEY AUTO SALES, LEWISTON, UT HAS ODOMETER AT 142,221 MILES. THE SELLER REFUSES TO FIX, OR EXCHANGE FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11114013

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT WORKING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10970476

190,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Air BagsSteeringStructureCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT END BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT END BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED INTO THE LEFT LANE AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINER WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHING FAILED AND THE SUBFRAME SEPARATED AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ODI #10885685

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

I HAVE ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THE LIST COULD GO ON.I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND PAID CASH FOR IT.ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO MY DASH METERS STARTED GOING OUT.I HAVE ALMOST RAN OUT OF GAS ON MAY OCCASIONS WITH MY CHILDREN.THE SPEEDOMETER GOES OUT AND I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC.ALSO MY POWER STEERING PUMP DECIDED TH…

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I HAVE ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THE LIST COULD GO ON.I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND PAID CASH FOR IT.ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO MY DASH METERS STARTED GOING OUT.I HAVE ALMOST RAN OUT OF GAS ON MAY OCCASIONS WITH MY CHILDREN.THE SPEEDOMETER GOES OUT AND I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC.ALSO MY POWER STEERING PUMP DECIDED THAT IT WANTED TO LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A PARKING LOT.IT'S LEAKING AND MESSING UP OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR I BELIEVE.MY CAR HAS BEEN MAINTENANCE AND CARED FOR.THESE PROBLEM CAME OUT OF NO WHERE WITHOUT WARNING.THEY SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MAKERS AND NOT THE CONSUMERS.THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT WARRANTS A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10875880

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STOPS AND STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. THE MANIFOLD GASKET, THERMOSTAT, ABS MODULE AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10846519

160,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10763874

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.