2005 Chevrolet Impala: common problems and reliability

One of the weaker Impala years.

609 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 4 recalls.

Should I buy a 2005 Impala?

The 2005 Chevrolet Impala has 609 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and steering.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

609
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
39
Crash reports
13
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Chevrolet Impala vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Impala years only. How we score it

Is 2005 a good year for the Impala?

Across the 23 Impala model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (1999) to 1,683 (2016). With 609 complaints, the 2005 Impala sits about the same as the model's median of 609.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
331
steering
60
power train
52
exterior lighting
49
service brakes
48

Recalls affecting the 2005 Impala

electrical system:ignition

Campaign 14V400000

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.

steering

Campaign 08E063000

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.

steering

Campaign 09E005000

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.

fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices

Campaign 07E021000

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.

What owners say across generations

Owner sentiment is highly fragmented across generations, with no single dominant consensus. For classic models (1959, 1963, 1994-1996 SS), sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, centered on iconic styling, collectibility, and performance (e.g., 409 V8, LT1 V8).

Owner insights cover all generations of the Impala. See the full Impala owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Impala listings typically run $10,875–$16,744 across 1996 to 2020 model years.

Other Impala model years

Compare every Impala year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Impala against its rivals

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