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2005 Chevrolet Impala

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Impala.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2005 Chevrolet Impala is a passenger car that uses a 4.5‑quart 5W‑30 API oil capacity for its engine. It records 609 total owner complaints, with the electrical system as the top complaint area and four recall campaigns. Its complaint history from 1991 to 2020 shows a peak of 1,071 complaints in 2004, making the 2005 model year one of the higher‑complaint years in the series.

Model year202020192018201720162015201320122005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeSEDAN, LS P225/60R16;OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731175
Engine air filter15221217
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug12681664
Battery88866306 alt 88866305
Front wiper blades19120758 alt 15214346
Serpentine belt19244951 alt 12588410
Thermostat10226107 alt 24506985
Cabin air filter84557894

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3607 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)65/35

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impala of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.6–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2006 SS V8
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006SS V8 5.3L V85.60 sec14.20 sec303 hpFWD
2006LT V6 3.5L V68.30 sec16.70 sec211 hpFWD
2007LTZ V6 3.9L V67.40 sec15.60 sec233 hpFWD
2007Police 3.9L V67.50 sec15.60 sec240 hpFWD
2002LS V6 3.8L V68.60 sec16.60 sec200 hpFWD
2000LS V6 3.8L V67.50 sec15.70 sec200 hpFWD
2000LS V6 3.8L V67.60 sec15.80 sec200 hpFWD
2000LS V6 3.8L V67.70 sec15.90 sec200 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 11 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts12 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub155 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-940
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number78

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum59.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)52-59

Brakes

OtherFIRST DESIGN / SECOND DESIGN
Torque Caliper to Bracket70 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle133 ft-lbs / 85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
OtherFIRST DESIGN / SECOND DESIGN
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.27 in / 0.433 in / 1.181 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
152 ft. lbs., step 2: 7252 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
144 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
295
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miFuel System (inspect) · Supercharger Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Chevrolet Impala sits in the middle of a generation that saw its peak complaint volume in 2004 (1,071 complaints) and a slight decline to 609 in 2005. Recall activity dropped sharply from 7 in 2004 to only 4 in 2005, and there were no investigations that year. Compared to 2006, the complaint count fell from 544, indicating a modest improvement, while recalls remained low at 3. The top complaint areas for 2005—Electrical System (254), Exterior Lighting (35), Steering (28), and Power Train (23)—highlight that most issues were non‑critical and largely resolved by 2006. Fire complaints were 13 and crash complaints 39, both lower than the 2004 totals. Overall, 2005 represents a transitional year with fewer recalls and a notable decline in complaints, making it a relatively attractive option within that model year.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
555
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
609
Owner complaints
39 involved a crash · 13 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 609 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System254
Exterior Lighting35
Steering28
Power Train23
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Air Bags14
Engine14
Fuel System, Gasoline14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V400000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 03/07/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on…

08E063000SteeringReported 17/10/2008

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"… Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 555 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5358D2025-02-19Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impala. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 78 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qtEngine oil filter 12731175Engine air filter 15221217Fuel filter 25121293Spark plug 12681664

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Impala take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.