The Lemon Index2005 Chevrolet Impala.
The 2005 Chevrolet Impala is better than average by owner complaints: 146 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 81, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Impala year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 609 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Impala year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 109K miles on the car (497 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 56K–104K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 35K–118K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 44K–130K miles
Recalls 4
- electrical 2014
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.
- steering 2009
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIO…
- steering 2008
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" B…
Show all 4 recalls
- fuel system, other 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 555 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 3.8l engine oil consumption
- Engine mechanical noise
- 3-2 downshift buzz noise on 2004 and 2005 police impalas equipped with the 3800 v6 engine and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Chipping and cracking on rear rotors on 2005 chevy Impala affecting the quality of abs system.
2005 Chevrolet Impala owner · NHTSA complaint 10164540
More owner reports
2005 Chevrolet Impala brakes pulsated making stopping rough.
NHTSA complaint 10162626
2005 Chevrolet Impala speedometer indicates higher speeds than what I am actually traveling. Turn off the car and the speedometer will not reset to zero.
NHTSA complaint 10218716
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 81; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Impala year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Impala problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (45%), brakes (14%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Impala problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,000 and 109,400 miles. The middle report was at 77,000 miles, from 497 complaints.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chevrolet Impala have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Impala year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2010 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works