Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at 30 MPH, the transmission slipped and suddenly started to jerk violently. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled several times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician was not able to duplicate and diagnosed the failure. The vehicle was also taken to an authorized dealer who changed the transmission fluid and the filter. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic for further diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
Car was running in my driveway while in park. I went in the house because I fogot my cell phone. About two minutes later the car crashed through my fence and I ran outside and jumped in it as we crashed through the garage door. The car had to be in park because the door opened from the outside and the wheels were locked so it drove straight. It has now been at the dealership for 20 days and nothing has been done. GM hasn't been any help and my insurance cannot touch the car until GM inspects it. My rental runs out in 8 days.
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
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. After releasing the brake pedal on a slight incline, the vehicle rolled backwards while in the drive position. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The dealer stated that the failure was due to the design of the transmission in order to get better gas mileage. The manufacturer and dealer stated that there is nothing that could be done. The current mileage is 30,000 and failure mileage was 24,100.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Impala. While driving unknown speeds, the transmission would not shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 196,000.
Driving down the road head wipers on wipers quit for no reason come to the stop sign tried turning it off and on a few times then once you take off the car would not move and then lunged forward and hit the person in front.
From a stopped position, trying to take off car acts as if I'm neutral and then will suddenly jerk into gear. The automatic hear shifts are rough and delayed. There's very little power or struggle to register when applying gas. When on fwy especially when in slow moving traffic there is a lot of problems with the transmission and slipping, rough gear shifts both up and down. Then the scary part is when driving with my 2 little girls and in regular or heavy traffic and making turns, especially left, I have had the car freeze up on me in the middle of intersections. When I try and accelerate I'm stuck as if I'm neutral and hear the engine revving and finally will violently like pop into gear. It's made me have a lot of safety issues for myself and children. It's very frustrating and problematic. …
First, I had to replace the rack and pinion steering. Could have been the steering knuckle, don't know. Then, I was driving about dusk and the low beams went dark. The car has an automatic switch that moves the headlights from daytime mode to nighttime. Local mechanic called the GM dealer and spoke with a GM mechanic. The GM mechanic told him the turnstalk assembly was defective and that they frequently replaced them on impalas. I paid for both repairs out of pocket. Then, the heater would only work on the passenger side; heater blend door on driver's side was defective. Recently, I had the heater blend door repaired at my expense. Then, I had the transmission rebuilt at my expense. GM would not assist with any of these repairs even though service bulletins existed on all of these issues. Looking at online discussion boards for this car I found all of these issues with numerous owners. …
Transmission complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Chevrolet Impala, 9% of the model year's 609 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.