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2004 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

860 reports with mileage · 212 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 681 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports21 fire reports34 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

30 reports
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145,436 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

WELL THE CODE WAS TELLING ME TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CURRENT ONE IS RATHER LOOSE AND DOESN'T TURN OFF ALL THE WAY WITH OUT A LITTLE EXTRA WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND NOW MY STEERING WHEEL IS LEANING AND PULLING TO THE LEFT OUT OF NOWHERE. AND THESE ALL HAPPEN SITTING STILL OR MOVING. NOT S…

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WELL THE CODE WAS TELLING ME TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CURRENT ONE IS RATHER LOOSE AND DOESN'T TURN OFF ALL THE WAY WITH OUT A LITTLE EXTRA WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND NOW MY STEERING WHEEL IS LEANING AND PULLING TO THE LEFT OUT OF NOWHERE. AND THESE ALL HAPPEN SITTING STILL OR MOVING. NOT SO BAD ON THE HIGHWAY BUT CITY STREETS ARE HELL

NHTSA ODI #11301728

104,000 miles · Apr 3, 2017
Air BagsInjury

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 60-65 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FIRST AND THEN 2-3 SECONDS LATER THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. POLICE WERE CALLED AND MADE A VIDEO REPORT OF THE CAR WITH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #10970301

104,000 miles · Feb 27, 2017
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT, A SAFETY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHICH ONE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT, A SAFETY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHICH ONE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT HAND AND SHOULDER, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE POLICE WAS ON THE SCENE, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10957323

170,000 miles · Mar 4, 2016
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH WERE UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH WERE UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM HITTING HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10839911

126,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Air BagsExterior Lighting

THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN STARTING ENGINE THEN COMES BACK ON AGAIN AND STAYS ON

NHTSA ODI #10764625

96,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Air Bags

FOR THE PAST FOUR WEEKS, I HAVE NOTICED THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NOT ANY INCIDENTS OR DEFECTS TO THE VEHICLE. THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME, DUE TO IT MAY BE INEFFECTIVE IF THERE WAS A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651029

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE WET ROAD SURFACE. THE DRIVER FAILED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE WET ROAD SURFACE. THE DRIVER FAILED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK, HEAD, AND BACK INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT IT WAS NOT CONFIRMED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10633303

84,725 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrash

@ 65MPH TRAFFIC CAME TO A SLOW DOWN,I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE 2 STOP IF I HAD 2 IN MY LANE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES & THE WHEELS LOCKED UP & WAS SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL,IT SURGED INTO THE LANE LEFT OF ME & THE REAR SLID OVER WHERE I WAS SIDEWAYS. I TRIED TO CONTROL MY STEERING BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND,THEN IT WENT INTO THE LANE RIGHT O…

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@ 65MPH TRAFFIC CAME TO A SLOW DOWN,I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE 2 STOP IF I HAD 2 IN MY LANE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES & THE WHEELS LOCKED UP & WAS SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL,IT SURGED INTO THE LANE LEFT OF ME & THE REAR SLID OVER WHERE I WAS SIDEWAYS. I TRIED TO CONTROL MY STEERING BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND,THEN IT WENT INTO THE LANE RIGHT OF ME NEARLY MISSING A TRUCK IT SHOT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS NOW ON THE SHOULDER WHERE I STILL HAD NO CONTROL OF ANY STEERING AT ALL.THEN THE CAR SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL AND FINELY THE CAR STOPPED.THE AIR BAGS DRIVER AND PASSENGER NEVER INFLATED. DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END WAS A TOTAL LOSS INCLUDING THE HOOD,BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE FENDERS HAD CRUNCHED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS BENT THEN THE BATTERY DIED.I ALREADY REPLACED A BATTERY THREE WEEKS AGO FROM SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618822

87,000 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 09/17/14*LJ UPDATED 02/12/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10618775

160,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND CRASHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PAIN AND M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND CRASHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PAIN AND MILD BRUISING ON NECK, BACK, KNEE AND BOTH ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10610993

Official recalls

4

15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Oct 26, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

15V201000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Apr 6, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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 September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

04V287000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Jun 23, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 1-800-620-7668.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.