Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet impala. While driving 50 MPH, the contact heard a bumping sound when she depressed the brake pedal. She was able to continue driving the vehicle at the time. The dealer resurfaced the rear disc brakes and rotors and removed and installed the front and rear disc pads updated 01/24/08 *bf. The current mileage was 16,000 and failure mileage was 14,297.…
2005 Chevrolet Impala brakes problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 28 brakes complaints filed for the 2005 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 28 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2005 Chevrolet Impalas report recurring brake and brake-system failures starting as early as 14,000–15,000 miles. The most common complaint is premature wear: rotors requiring replacement multiple times (some owners cite replacements at 6-month to annual intervals), often paired with brake pad wear. Owners describe brake rotors with excessive corrosion, rust, scaling, flaking, cracking, and chipping—defects a mechanic attributed to the rotors being "made with defective material."
A second major pattern involves the ABS and traction-control systems failing to function correctly, typically in wet or winter weather. Owners report warning lights (ABS, traction control, "service traction system") illuminating randomly, sometimes causing loss of braking power or the traction control engaging inappropriately during normal driving. Multiple owners traced these failures to faulty wheel speed sensors, particularly rear sensors, which required costly replacement ($378 per part, plus labor). One owner's right and left rear sensors failed separately within a few thousand miles of each other.
A third critical issue: at least two owners reported complete brake failure—pedal going to the floor with zero stopping power, resulting in collisions. One owner also noted that airbags did not deploy during a crash even though the vehicle was struck head-on twice.
Brake noise is prevalent: owners describe loud grinding, dinging, bumping, and pulsation when braking. Some report a burning smell from brake pads. One owner encountered a broken brake linkage part that GM initially denied responsibility for.
Across these complaints, dealership repair estimates ranged from $1,500–$4,000; one owner spent $2,000 on wheel hubs, ABS harnesses, and brake pressure modulator valve replacement without resolving the problem. GM has frequently denied warranty assistance, citing that repairs were not performed at an authorized dealer or invoking the salt-belt region as an exclusion.
Same Chevrolet Impala brakes reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Premature rotor wear and corrosion
Rotors fail prematurely with excessive corrosion, rust, scaling, flaking, cracking, or chipping. Owners report rotors described as made with defective material requiring replacement multiple times within the vehicle's warranty period and shortly thereafter.
When: Starting at 14,000–15,000 miles; recurring at 6-month to 1-year intervals through 60,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pulsation and rough stopping; Loud grinding noise when braking; Visible rotor corrosion and rust; Scaling and flaking rotors
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor resurfacing or replacement; brake pad replacement. One owner paid over $2,000 for wheel hubs, ABS harnesses, and brake pressure modulator valve replacement without full resolution. Dealership estimates $1,500–$3,000+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied warranty assistance citing failure to repair at authorized dealer or residence in salt-belt state. One owner noted dealership inspection fees ($65) charged despite defect.
ABS and traction control system malfunction
ABS and traction control warning lights illuminate randomly, often triggered by wet weather, rain, hail, or snow. The systems either fail to activate when needed or activate inappropriately during normal driving, causing loss of braking power or pulling to one side.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; failures reported at 70,000 miles and beyond, often in winter or rainy conditions
Symptoms owners cite: ABS, traction control, and 'service traction system' warning lights illuminating; Loss of stopping power despite brake pedal application; Traction control engaging randomly during acceleration; Vehicle pulling heavily to one side; Loud dinging sound when lights come on
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple shops encountered this pattern; one owner spent $2,000 on repairs including wheel hubs, ABS harnesses, and brake pressure modulator valve without full resolution. Attempts to diagnose and repair have been ongoing with mixed results.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM initially denied knowledge of the problem. TSB 4615 is available. One owner noted the vehicle has 75 TSBs on file.
Wheel speed sensor failure
Rear wheel speed sensors fail, disabling both traction control and four-wheel ABS systems. Multiple owners reported sensor failures, often within a few thousand miles of each other on opposite sides of the vehicle.
When: First failure reported at approximately 70,000 miles; subsequent failures within a few thousand miles. Failures occur in wet weather or during winter driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control warning light illuminates; ABS and traction control systems disable simultaneously; Failures triggered by wet weather, rain, hail, or snow
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel speed sensor replacement. Owners cite part cost of $378 per sensor, plus labor. One owner had both rear sensors fail separately.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships performed sensor replacement under warranty when applicable. No recall noted.
Complete brake failure
Brake pedal loss of pressure with no stopping ability. At least two owners experienced complete brake failure resulting in collisions.
When: One incident at 5 days after purchase (approximately 45 mph); one incident at 41,000–44,000 miles during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop sound during braking; Brake pedal going to the floor; Inability to stop vehicle; Vehicle collision
Repairs/costs cited: One owner identified a broken brake linkage part after collision; repairs not documented. Airbags failed to deploy in both collision events despite frontal impact.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM initially denied responsibility in one case, claiming brakes had been 'tampered with,' and offered $2,000 in settlement. GM's black-box retrieval and 5-month investigation concluded no manufacturer responsibility.
Brake noise and grinding
Multiple types of brake noise reported: grinding, dinging, bumping, and pulsation during braking. One owner reported a burning smell from brake pads.
When: Starting at low mileage (14,000+ miles) and persisting throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise when braking; Bumping or pulsating sensation during braking; Loud dinging sound coinciding with warning lights; Burning smell from brake pads
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor resurfacing, replacement, and pad replacement performed. In one case, front brake pads were broken into three pieces at 27,647 miles.
Brake line corrosion and fluid leakage
Brake line corrosion causing fluid leakage. One owner's independent mechanic identified a rusted and leaking brake line.
When: At 150,886 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake fluid warning light illumination; Brake line corrosion and leakage
Repairs/costs cited: Brake line replacement required; vehicle not repaired and repair parts not obtained.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but provided no further assistance.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2005 Chevrolet Impala?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 15,000 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 37,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Chevrolet/Impala.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.