Is the 2005 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
609 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impala years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Impala are in line with other Impala years. Electrical system, steering, exterior lighting and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Impala owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 79,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 331 (54%) | 56k–104k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 60 (10%) | 37k–116k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 49 (8%) | 55k–111k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 48 (8%) | 20k–122k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 55 (9%) | 64k–140k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 52 (9%) | 44k–126k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 42 (7%) | 53k–120k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 33 (5%) | 37k–129k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 24 (4%) | 54k–131k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 21 (3%) | 46k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 10 (2%) | 76k–162k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (1%) | 40k–135k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (1%) | 29k–82k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Stability control | 9 (1%) | 82k–149k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 79,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 609 complaints: 39 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 22 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Internal security system fails without notice, car wont start. Security light stays on or flashes. Car still wont start.
When shifting 1st to 2nd gear the transmission shifts hard, transmission is the 2nd one I have had in this car samething is happening to this one I have 95000 miles now.
The transmission started to develop a shudder at 140000 miles. I have taken it in multiple times to get looked at.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 79,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Impala: 4
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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. 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.
A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
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. If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 164
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Chevrolet Impala. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Neighbouring years
2004 Impala: 1,074 complaints, keep it · 2006 Impala: 524 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Chevrolet Impala year
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Questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
609 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impala years. At 79,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Impala?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (331), steering (60), exterior lighting (49), brakes (48), engine (55).
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-400), Steering (NHTSA 09E005000), Steering (NHTSA 08E063000), Fuel system (NHTSA 07E021000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.