Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Impala cite engine, 5% of all 608 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
30
5% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“WHEN I GO TO TURN ON MY CAR IT DOES NOT TURN ON. IT TAKES A COUPLE TRIES TO GET THE CAR STARTED. ON TOP OF THAT PROBLEM THE CAR IS NOW JOLTING WHEN I ACCELERATE. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR AND HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF IT AND BEFOREHAND IT WAS AT A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY CONCERNED SINCE I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN GOING IN MY CAR AND IT'S MY TRANSPORTATION TO MAKE MY INCOME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2020EngineODI 11322835
“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
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, THE AIR BAG OFF AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES FLICKERED. ALSO, FOUR MISFIRES OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2019Electrical system, EngineODI 11184322
“I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE JUST PURCHASED WHIC WAS VAVOLINE WHEN PLACED IN VEHICLE ENGINE THERMAL VISCOSITY BREAKDOWN HAPPENED AND ENGINE BLOCK SEIZED. RESTARTED AFTER OIL CHANGE SAME OIL ENGINE BLOCK SEIZED. WITH WHAT I'M READING AND WATCHING THE THIRD OR FOURTH VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAYBE IT'S THE MOTOR OIL. I UNDERSTAND THAT HIGH HEAT BREAKS DOWN RAPIDLY WITH SOY BASED LUBRICANTS. I UNDERSTAND YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO ADMIT THIS OR ARE UNAWARE BUT COULD YOU PLEASE KEEP ON FILE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2019Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11173352
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,745. **TR CONSUMER STATED THE CAR'S BATTERY DRAINS QUICKLY AND WHEN TURNING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. UPDATED 11/19/18*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2018Steering, Power train, Service brakes, EngineODI 11122177
“I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY ALONG WITH NEW TIRES HOPING THAT ALL THE JERKING WOULD STOP HOWEVER THEY DIDN'T! THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE BAD TIMING OR NOT WANTING TO SHIFT IN RIGHT HEARS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2018EngineODI 11090207

Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

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