The 2005 Chevrolet Impala has 4 safety recalls and 609 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (337 complaints).
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Steering
NHTSA recall 09E005000 · Feb 17, 2009 · 979 vehicles
Problem: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
Steering
NHTSA recall 08E063000 · Oct 17, 2008 · 3,855 vehicles
Problem: DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices
NHTSA recall 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007 · 742 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2005 Chevrolet Impala 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2005 Chevrolet Impala 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Impala
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Impala
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Impala Police
21mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Impala
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Ignition
337
8
8
1
80,000 mi
Steering Column; Hydraulic power assist › Pump
60
6
0
1
77,500 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
52
4
0
3
88,000 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights; Back up lights
49
0
2
0
75,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 11, 2026Air bags On XXX in [XXX], while at a complete stop, without cause or prior warning, airbags violently deployed causing property damage to the entire instrument panel and windshield, and bodily injuries. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dec 30, 2024 · 200,000 milesPower train The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Nov 22, 2024Air bags When traveling down a steep incline the front driver and passenger side airbags went off. There was no collision with anything, also there's no damage to the car aside from the airbags themselves.
Jun 3, 2024Power train Transmission shifts hard after engine warms up.
Jan 4, 2023Unknown or other The car shuts off while driving. Loose power steering hazardous while turning at higher speeds... dangerous for. Vehicles in front or back . The car also jumps or jolts when driving. And looses power causing severe loss of control especially when icy or snow road conditions.
Jun 16, 2022 · 140,000 milesVisibility › Sun/moon roof assembly The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, suddenly there was an abnormal wind sound inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof had detached from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
May 9, 2021 · 194,000 miles · crashSteering 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…
Feb 28, 2021Power train I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I WAS TRYING TO TURN INTO MY JOB AND I MADE IT ABOUT HALF WAY INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE PART OF MY CAR WAS STI'LL IN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR JUST SHIFTED DOWN INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO DRIVE SO I ENDED UP HAVING TO BE TOWED INTO THE PARKING LOT BY A YOUNG MAN THAT STOPPED TO HELP GI'VE ME A HAND TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE ROAD I WAS ON A MAJOR STREET THAT GETS TRAVELSE ALOT AND IT WAS DRIVING JUST FINE UNTIL I WENT TO TURN INTO MY JOB AND IT JUST QUIT SHIFTING PERIOD
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
