2005 Chevrolet Impala Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 3%of 609 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,542miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the visibility of the 2005 Chevrolet Impala, 3% of the 609 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,542 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I noticed a strange smell like melting plastic coming from my passenger side dashboard under the glove compartment. Took it straight to the dealer. They discovered my back window defrost shorted out the fuse box on the passenger side. Completely melted it and ruined the box. If I had waited any longer it probably would have started a fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10564310, filed 2014-02, 109,000 miles“After clearing snow off the windshield with the wipers, they no longer go to the park position. The wipers stop in an upward position blocking your view of the road. Found bent stop tab on wiper motor assembly due to many write ups on the web. This is a very common problem and I believe GM has a fix for it. I was quoted $500+ for a replacement motor assembly. The motor still works.”
NHTSA complaint #10382854, filed 2011-02, 58,000 miles“I am the original owner of a 68k miles 2005 chevy Impala. The car was parked at my place of employment for the 8 hrs. My work hours ended and I started the car to proceed home. I pressed the sunroof switch to make it automatically open. It did not open. Smoke started to fill the passenger compartment and I noticed a flicker coming from the headliner. It was a flame. I tapped the headliner to make it go out and exited the car and removed my keys from the ignition upon exiting.”
NHTSA complaint #10482134, filed 2012-10, 68,000 miles“A sudden loud noise began while driving on the highway at speeds of 65-70. The noise lasted a few seconds followed by a louder loud noise coming from the top of the vehicle. I activated my hazard lights and pulled into the median to determine the cause. After opening the sliding cover for my vehicle's sunroof, I discovered the sunroof was missing and had flown off the vehicle while driving. I do not believe any vehicles were directly behind me. I am not sure if any vehicles hit the sunroof after it flew off my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10569247, filed 2014-03, 170,000 miles“I have spun the motor in my wipers 3 times now. The snow or ice build up under the hood where the wipers rest. I have had it fixed 2 times now. This time wipers were doing fine, made sure that I had no ice or snow on the wipers as they turn on (wake up). Then when I went to shut them off after our last ice storm, the ice build up under the hood stopped them from going down under the hood, and made them spin again. Now its a visual distraction as I am forced to drive with the wipers in the upright position on my windshield. It makes for blind spots. …”
NHTSA complaint #10559289, filed 2014-01, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10247780Sep 26, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10230697Dec 15, 2022This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10216372Jun 22, 2022This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse…
- 10216361Jun 13, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10211770Apr 19, 2022This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse…
- 10190431Mar 26, 2021This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse…
- 10178385Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10160682Apr 23, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse…
- 10143752Jul 3, 2018This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse…
- 10139280Jan 17, 2018This warranty bulletin explains how to determine if an outside mirrior was damaged by the customer and what is considered warranty and non-warranty.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 2% |
| 2014 | 20 | 3% |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 28 | 6% |
| 2010 | 11 | 2% |
| 2009 | 14 | 2% |
| 2008 | 16 | 2% |
| 2007 | 24 | 4% |
| 2006 | 29 | 6% |
| 2005 | 21 | 3% |
| 2004 | 14 | 1% |
| 2003 | 21 | 3% |
| 2002 | 34 | 4% |
| 2001 | 18 | 2% |
| 2000 | 22 | 3% |
| 1996 | 13 | 15% |
| 1995 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Impala
331 complaintsSteering
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
52 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsExterior lighting
49 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsEngine
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Impala
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology