2005 Chevrolet Impala Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Chevrolet Impala most often write about electrical problems, above all an instrument cluster that shows wrong or dead gauges, followed by headlights that flicker or cut out. A second recurring theme is intermittent no-start conditions that owners link to the ignition switch, key cylinder or the security (Passlock) system. Complaints arrive at widely spread mileages, from under 20,000 to past 200,000, so many of these items show up as the cars age rather than at a fixed point.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster gauges read wrong or quit

   • 215 complaints (35%)
   • median 74,655 mi at 5.0 yrs old (188 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 31 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2026

   Owners describe speedometers that read high, stick, sweep in circles or stop working, often joined by a temperature or fuel gauge that dies. Some report the failure appearing in damp or humid weather, and several note the gauges acting up right after startup. According to the complaints, dealers and independent shops usually say the whole instrument cluster needs replacement, with quotes commonly in the low hundreds of dollars, and owners say they were told it was not covered by a recall. Reported from roughly 33,000 to 200,000 miles, with many complaints filed between about 40,000 and 90,000 miles.

   What to check: With the key on, confirm every gauge moves off its resting point and that the speedometer tracks actual speed against a GPS. Ask whether the cluster has been replaced or repaired, and keep a record if it has.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Speedometer is miss-reading, at 65mph I am reading 140mph, it will not reset back to zero. Now it has went a complete circle and is reading 3mph at 65mph GM will not cover the cost of replacement. I have no idea how fast or slow I'm going in a city in a school zone. This is a safety issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10362737, filed 2010-10, 68,000 miles

   “I have a 2005 Chevrolet Impala and the speedometer is not working properly. I've checked NHTSA complaints and find over and over this same complaint but was told by a Chevrolet dealership this was not a recall. With the number of complaints filed this should be a recall by Chevrolet instead of making the consumer pay for the repairs. In light of recent toyota recalls I would think Chevrolet would take similar action for this defect in their automobiles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10308866, filed 2010-02, 54,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Intermittent no-start (ignition, key cylinder, security

   • 127 complaints (21%)
   • median 90,500 mi at 6.9 yrs old (106 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2020

   Complaints describe turning the key and getting nothing or a crank that will not fire, sometimes repeatedly, and then the car starting again after 10 to 15 minutes. Several owners say a mechanic or online research pointed to the Passlock security system or the ignition switch and cylinder, and some describe a reset procedure involving waiting with the ignition on. A number of complaints note the key sticking or coming out of the ignition while driving, and one owner reports difficulty steering because the key would not stay in the run position. Spread from about 15,000 to 200,000 miles, with many reports in the 70,000 to 135,000 mile range; the problem is described as intermittent and unpredictable.

   Recall 14V400000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall (campaign 14V400000) was completed, and check that the key turns freely and stays in the run position. Note whether the security light flashes and whether the car has ever failed to start when warm or after short trips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Internal security system fails without notice, car wont start. Security light stays on or flashes. Car still wont start. It can be hours or even days before this problem resets and car starts and works. But then will soon fail as soon as the vehicle is shut off. Has coasted me several jobs, loss work hours, and extra money I spent on starter, but came to find out it was the security feature chevy put in, I'm not the only one who has been having this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11232605, filed 2019-07, 99,000 miles

   “I've heard a lot about the recalls regarding several chevy vehicles in regards to the ignition and I was wondering why impalas are not on the list. You can look at numerous web forms with people having trouble starting their Impala's like my self. You can also read that there is really no explanation or fix to the problem. The problem in general is a good majority of the time older chevy Impala's have a hard time starting or just won't start for a good 15 minutes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10576842, filed 2014-04, 162,124 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights flicker or go out while driving

   • 62 complaints (10%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $667 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2024

   Owners describe headlights cutting out on low or high beam, sometimes flickering back on when the multifunction lever is moved, and one reports an electrical smell along with the flicker. Complaints mention previous replacement of the multifunction switch, and one owner says a dealer had no other reports of the problem at the time. In another case the lights came back on by themselves after the car was parked. Reported between about 45,000 and 180,000 miles, in several cases while driving at night or in heavy traffic.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check both beams and the turn-signal/high-beam stalk at night, and ask whether the multifunction switch or headlamp assemblies have been replaced. Service bulletins on this vehicle cover lamp condensation/water leaks and lamp damage, so inspect the housings for moisture.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 2005 chevy Impala in 2008. The first time I was driving on a state hwy, a very twisty road . I had my headlights on high, right in the middle of the first curve my headlights went out, I jumped the brake and flipped the lever back and forth and they finally came back on low beam, I almost wreaked. The second time I was on the freeway just coming into the outskirts of town, heavy traffic, I flipped the lever back and forth and the low beams came back on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10410786, filed 2011-07, 45,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala . While driving 25 MPH the headlights started to flicker and the contact smelled an electrical odor. The contact then pulled into her residence and after a few minutes the headlights turned on without assistance. The vehicle was previously taken to a mechanic before for the multi function switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer to have it diagnosed and determine if there were any other problems within the electrical system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10354435, filed 2010-09, 180,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission harsh or delayed shifting

   • 45 complaints (7%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2024

   Owners describe hard shifts and a slam into gear from a stop, with some saying the condition appears once the engine is warm or in stop-and-go traffic. Complaints also mention difficulty engaging reverse when parked on a hill and a delay in throttle response. One owner reports the dealer pointing to a transmission solenoid or valve as a possible repair in the several-hundred-dollar range, while another complaint notes the vehicle unexpectedly downshifting while driving. Reported from about 44,000 to 200,000 miles, sometimes described as worse after warm-up or in traffic.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car from cold and again after 15-20 minutes of stop-and-go, feeling for harsh engagements into drive and reverse. Check transmission fluid condition and ask about any prior fluid or solenoid work; bulletins note that water or coolant in the fluid is harmful.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2005 chevy Impala. The temperature light keeps coming on. I have took it to get fixed and they have bleed the radiator and it still keeps coming on. It makes you think the car is running hot. It also starts switching gears hard when it gets like this. It has been from the start hard to get in reverse, if parked on a hill.”

   NHTSA complaint #10360826, filed 2010-10, 120,000 miles

   “From stop I would step on the gas, and the car would slam into gear. I have had to have the electrical cluster replaced $300, and the fuel control replaced (car always smelt like gas) now they think this slam is the tcc valve in the transmission which is anywhere from $600-$900. Also the steering knuckle makes a loud noise on sharp turns. Whats next? Are any of these issues recalls?”

   NHTSA complaint #10508694, filed 2013-04, 90,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell or leak around lines and filter

   • 43 complaints (7%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2017

   Complaints describe a strong gasoline odor from the fuel line or under the car, and in one case a fuel filter that leaked at the inlet and sprayed fuel onto the underbody. Owners report the fuel gauge dropping faster than expected, rough starting or missing, and repair of the filter and O-rings. Another owner reports a dealer diagnosing a damaged fuel pressure regulator, and one notes the vehicle was not covered by a fuel-system campaign. Reported from about 56,000 to 176,000 miles, typically noticed at startup or after shutting the car off.

   What to check: Smell for fuel at cold start and after shutdown, and look under the car around the filter and lines for wet spots or staining. Ask whether the filter and lines have been replaced and whether any fuel-system campaign applied to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle, a 2005 chevy Impala, has had an issue concerning my fuel pressure regulator. After taking my vehicle to the chevy dealership to find out what the issue was, the diagnostics test had discovered that the fuel pressure regulator was damaged. I did further research on the issue they discovered I have come to find out that there was a recall on the same exact part on march 12 of 2007. When I returned to pick up my vehicle, they also mentioned another issue about my vehicles steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10283834, filed 2009-09, 106,979 miles

   “175555 miles fuel smell and fuel loss when car is running. Rough start, some missing. Fuel filter failed at filter inlet spraying gas onto underbody of car so didn't see the fuel spill. Replaced filter and o rings.squealing belt sound at start up. Serpentine belt tensioner broke, replaced tensioner and belt. No check engine warnings, no electronic gauges I have the basic Impala model. Watched the fuel gauge drop by lines while driving and smelled gas when shut off car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10860661, filed 2016-04, 175,555 miles

Buying note. Impayear owners' reports center on electrics, so budget for a possible instrument cluster or ignition/security repair and confirm the ignition recall was performed on the specific car. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a cold start, a night-time lighting check, a long test drive and a look under the car for fuel leaks covers most of what these complaints describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.