2005 Chevrolet IMPALA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
609 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 499 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 218 of 609 complaints (35.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 75 | 12.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 65 | 10.7% |
| Steering behavior | 64 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 40 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 36 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 218 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 91 |
| Steering | 52 |
| Power Train | 39 |
| Exterior Lighting | 34 |
| Engine | 30 |
| Air Bags | 26 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 23 |
Electrical System: 218; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 91; Steering: 52; Power Train: 39; Exterior Lighting: 34; Engine: 30; Air Bags: 26; Fuel System, Gasoline: 23
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 41 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 86 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 111 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 96 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 113 |
| 150,000 and above | 52 |
Under 25,000: 41; 25,000 to 49,999: 86; 50,000 to 74,999: 111; 75,000 to 99,999: 96; 100,000 to 149,999: 113; 150,000 and above: 52
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (113). 110 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 24 |
| 2007 | 29 |
| 2008 | 78 |
| 2009 | 71 |
| 2010 | 78 |
| 2011 | 50 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2013 | 32 |
| 2014 | 103 |
| 2015 | 38 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 14; 2006: 24; 2007: 29; 2008: 78; 2009: 71; 2010: 78; 2011: 50; 2012: 32; 2013: 32; 2014: 103; 2015: 38; 2016: 20; 2017: 12; 2018: 9; 2019: 4; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 75 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 65 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 64 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10101622 · 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
THE PARKING BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE WHEN IT'S PARKED ON AN INCLINE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. *NM THE PROBLEM OCCURRED HEADING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE, WITH THE RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK UNTIL THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE AGAIN AND SET THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116078 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
I WAS A PASSENGER IN AN 2005 IMPALA, DRIVER REAR ENDED A LARGE TRUCK, I HIT THE WINDSHIELD, NEITHER THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES OR THE AIR BAGS WORKED, ABOUT $8,000 DAMAGE TO IMPALA, NONE TO TRUCK. I DID NOT HAVE SEAT BELT ON.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162925 · 2006-07-20 (July 20, 2006)
REAR WINDOW MOLDING LOOSE WILL NOT STAY IN TACT AFTER REPAIR, DELAYED CRANK-HOLD KEY IN IGNITION FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE STARTING THEN AT TIMES IT WOBBLES THEN CUTS OFF,ELECTRICAL SHOCKING, GOING OVER HUMPS OR TURNING THERE IS CLUNNKING NOISE, PASSENGER SIDE FEELS A LIGHTER WEIGHT WHEN OPERATING,INTERMITTENT CHUGGLE OR HESISTANT WHEN IN LIGHT ACCELERATION,ON STAR SYSTEM COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN KEY IN IGNITION AND THE PUSH IS NOT PUSHED TO ACTIVATE,CAR ONLY HAD 5600 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND NOW HAS 11300 ONLY HAD THE FOR 5 1/2 MONTHS,E…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,884 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164095 · 2006-08-01 (August 1, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BATTERY AREA, AS FLAMES WERE CLEARLY PRESENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE EXTREME FIRE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167281 · 2006-09-03 (September 3, 2006)
WE PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM A DEALER ON MARCH 16, 2006. ON MARCH 21, 2006, WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH. THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US STOPPED SUDDENLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A LOUD POP. THE BRAKE PEDDLE THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HIT THE VAN IN FRONT OF ME TWICE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN DOWN A SIDE STREET AND LET THE CAR COAST TO A STOP. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER CAME OUT THE NEXT MORNING AND TOOK PICTURES. THE CAR WAS SENT TO A BODY SHOP TO BE TORN DOWN. GM WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10169014 · 2006-09-22 (September 22, 2006)
CLUNKING/BANGING NOISE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL, GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND SOMETIMES WHEN GOING STRAIGHT ON A ROUGH SURFACE. TAKEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST AND SECOND TIME LUBE KIT WAS REPLACED ON STEERING SHAFT. THE THIRD TIME, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE WHOLE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE PART WAS BEING REDESIGNED BY GM AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SIX MONTHS OR MORE. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE MEANWHILE. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN REGAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,188 miles reported. Look up ODI 10169014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126886 · 2005-06-20 (June 20, 2005)
2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED BACKWARDS. *MR THE IMPACT CAUSED THE GARAGE DOOR TO POP OPEN AND CRASH BACK DOWN AND TRAPPING THE CONSUMER INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT GM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE FROM PARK, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START THEREFORE THE CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE KEY FROM SEVERAL SECONDS WHILE THE STARTER ATTEMPTED TO TURN OVER AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GRIND. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10126886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133454 · 2005-08-12 (August 12, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125984 · 2005-06-20 (June 20, 2005)
MY 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS, WHEN IT HAD 235 MILES ON IT HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE ENGINE NOISE, "BROKEN ROCKER PIVOT ARM" GOT THE CAR BACK, RAN ROUGH, VEHICLE STALLED OUT AT STOP LITE, RESTARTED OK, REAR WINDOW RUBBER TRIM COMING OFF. CAR NOW HAS 2300-MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 235 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223516 · 2008-04-06 (April 6, 2008)
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY IMPALA, CURRENTLY WITH 22,320 MILES. AT MY OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION, (~20,500) I WAS INFORMED BY REPAIR PLACE THAT THEY WOULD NOT PERFORM THE TIRE ROTATION AS I WOULD BE NEEDING TO REPLACE THE TIRES SOON. I ASKED WHY THEY WERE WEARING SO FAST- I WAS TOLD, THEY NOTICED IT ON MANY IMPALAS- PREMATURE TIRE WEAR BETWEEN 18,000-25,000 MILES. ~ 15 MONTHS AGO, WITH ONLY ABOUT 13,000 MILES, WHEN I HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE I WAS INFORMED ME THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE REAR OF THE ENGINE, I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR R…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280635 · 2009-08-17 (August 17, 2009)
2005 IMPALA BOUGHT IN 96 W/25K MILES. AFTER 1 YEAR CAR HAD 37K MILES AND STARTED EXHIBITING CRAZY PERFORMANCE ON THE DISPLAY GAUGES. SOMETIMES THE GAS INDICATOR WOULD REFLECT AN EMPTY GAS TANK THOUGH IT WAS NEARLY FULL. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD REFLECT 35 MILES WHILE THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND OTHER SPEEDS WHEN IN MOTION. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD TACK WAY OVER TO THE RIGHT INDICATING EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES. I TRIED TO GET THIS FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED WHEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE ENTIRE I…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280635 at NHTSA ↗