This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Chevrolet Impala visibility problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
1crash
1fire
2injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the listed DTC's may set with or without poor engine performance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse, and/or water leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse, and/or water leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Impala shows a pattern of visibility-critical failures. Most common is wiper motor malfunction—owners report the motor spins or stalls when trying to turn wipers off, leaving blades stuck upright on the windshield and obstructing the view. Several owners have had the motor fail multiple times, with replacement quotes running $500 or more. Ice or snow buildup under the hood can trigger the failure, and owners note that ice prevents blades from retracting even when the motor is functioning. One owner reported a bent stop tab on the motor assembly; another had a dealer refuse warranty repair despite the car still being under coverage.
Sunroof failures include both mechanical detachment and electrical control issues. Two owners report the sunroof suddenly separating from the vehicle while driving at highway speeds (65–70 mph), creating a loud noise and loss of roof integrity. One owner later discovered a recall for the Webasto Hollandia 700 sunroof but was never notified by the manufacturer. A third owner encountered smoke under the headliner when attempting to open the sunroof, which also rendered all windows inoperable; neither the dealer nor manufacturer provided assistance.
Additional visibility issues include a stuck dual-zone heating door that leaves the driver-side blowing only cool air, a power window switch that can be accidentally activated by a child leaning against the door, and spontaneous rear windshield cracking. One owner cited over 1,000 complaints about the heating door online.
Same Chevrolet Impala visibility reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Wiper Motor Failure – Stuck Upright Position
Wiper motor spins or stalls when attempting to turn wipers off, leaving blades stuck in upright position on windshield, obstructing driver view. Ice or snow buildup under hood can trigger the failure. Some owners report a bent stop tab on the wiper motor assembly.
When: Typically after snow/ice storms; one complaint at 75,845 miles; another at 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers do not return to park position when deactivated; Wipers stick in upright position blocking windshield; Motor spins repeatedly when attempting to turn wipers off; Ice or snow buildup under hood preventing blades from retracting
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report being quoted $500+ for wiper motor assembly replacement; some replaced motor multiple times (3+ times); one dealer refused warranty repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has an updated part available for the 2005 Impala but no recall issued; owners state this is a known common problem with online DIY fixes available
Sunroof Detachment
Sunroof separates and flies off vehicle while driving at highway speeds, creating sudden loud noise and loss of roof integrity. Webasto Hollandia 700 sunroof affected. Safety-critical failure with no warning.
When: One complaint at 140,000 miles; timing unknown for second complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loud noise from top of vehicle while driving 65–70 mph; Sunroof missing when checked after pulling over; Abnormal wind sound inside vehicle before detachment
Repairs/costs cited: Webasto Hollandia 700 sunroof replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for Webasto Hollandia 700 sunroof due to flying off; however, owners report not being notified of recall by manufacturer
Sunroof Control Electrical Failure
Sunroof control attempt triggers smoke from under headliner and causes complete loss of sunroof and window operation. Indicates electrical malfunction in sunroof/window control circuit.
When: At approximately 68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof will not open; Smoke visible from under headliner when attempting sunroof operation; All windows become inoperable; Smoke ceases when engine is shut off
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer declined assistance; manufacturer offered no assistance
Dual Climate Control Door Stuck
Driver-side heating door stuck in cool air position on dual-zone climate control, leaving driver-side blowing cold air while passenger-side blows hot. Dealership confirmed door failure but no recall issued despite owner report of 1,000+ complaints.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side heat will not come on; Passenger-side blows hot air normally; Dual climate control unable to send heat to driver side
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; owner notes over 1,000 complaints exist for this part
Power Window Switch Design Hazard
Window switch positioned in a way that makes it vulnerable to accidental activation by children or passengers leaning against it. Switch touches can cause window to raise unexpectedly with no pull-to-deactivate safety feature.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Window can be activated by unintended body contact with switch; Window will raise if child's body or body part touches switch
Rear Windshield Spontaneous Cracking
Rear windshield spontaneously explodes with loud noise, creating spider crack pattern across entire surface with no apparent external impact. Safety hazard and sudden noise startles driver.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Loud explosion sound from rear of vehicle; Rear windshield develops spider crack pattern across entire surface; No external impact reported
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 58,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.