Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Impala electrical system problems

331 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Impala cite electrical system, 54% of all 608 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
331
54% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2024Power train, Electrical systemODI 11633118
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO READ ACCURATELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED INACCURATE SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED SPEEDS EXCEEDING 120 MPH. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2020Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11360794
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY DISLODGED FROM THE IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER DUE TO THE KEY NOT REMAINING IN THE RUN POSITION. THE CONTACT WOULD MANUALLY REMOVE AND REPLACE THE KEY FOR NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'RIELLY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 6160 E BROADWAY BLVD, TUCSON, AZ 85711, WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2020Electrical systemODI 11338695
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED DUE TO AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT THAT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT BY THE RADIO SYSTEM COMES ON AND DRAINS THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET (3222 BEVERLY PIKE, ELKINS, WV 26241, (304) 591-1077) STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WAS $100 PER HOUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2020Steering, Electrical systemODI 11301577
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2019Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11232605
“HI I PURCHASED MY IMPALA LAST YEAR USED AND FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 6 MONTHS IT RAN FINE...NOW ELECTRICAL PANEL GOES ON THE FRITZ DIMMING MY LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD...POWER WINDOWS AND MIRRORS NOT WORKING... ALSO ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHTS ON CONSISTENTLY...TRACTION RANDOMLY ACTIVATES AND CAR LIGHTERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS SPECIFIC MODEL AND IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ALSO TURN KEY TO START CAR AND THE CAR DOESN'T START SO I DO THIS 2-3 TIMES TO START CAR UP...REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL 2005 IMPALAS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2019Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11191163

Showing 6 of 331 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.