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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

Electrical System complaints

681 reports
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50,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER WORKS SOMETIMES. OTHER TIMES IT GETS STUCK ON MPH. I CAN BE SITTING STILL AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL READ 52 MILES PER HOUR. OTHER TIMES IT WILL KEEP GOING UP UNTIL THE NEEDLE IS MORE THAN BURIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609692

179,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteeringFire

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST STARTED OUT WHERE IF I HAD MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON EVERY NOW AND AGAIN ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WOULDN'T STAY ON SO HAD TO HOLD TO KEEP THEM ON. THEN IT CAME A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27TH 2014, I…

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I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST STARTED OUT WHERE IF I HAD MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON EVERY NOW AND AGAIN ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WOULDN'T STAY ON SO HAD TO HOLD TO KEEP THEM ON. THEN IT CAME A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27TH 2014, I WAS AT WORK AND HAPPENED TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND NOTICED MY LIGHTS WERE ON. WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE IF CAR WAS DEAD. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR I COULD SEE THAT MY STEERING COLUMN WAS SMOKING (ON FIRE) COMING FROM THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS HAD STUCK TO ON SOMEHOW AND THIS IS WHY I COULD SEE THAT MY LLIGHTS WERE ON. I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND THE SMOKING STOPPED. WHEN I WENT TO HOOK BATTERY BACK UP THERE WASN'T ANY MORE SMOKING BUT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE GOING AS FAST AS THEY COULD AND I COULDN'T SWITCH OR DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THEM STOP. THE HAZARDS OR ALL MY LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON/OFF REPEATEDLY. NOTHING I COULD DO TO STOP. AS OF NOW I'M DRIVING WITHOUT ANY FUSE TO THE WIPERS AND THE LIGHTS WORK DURING THE DAYTIME BUT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL AFTER DARK. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE PART THAT IS NEEDED TO REPLACE THIS IS A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SWITCH. HOWEVER, THIS IS GOING TO COST $800 TO REPLACE. MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL CAR AND NO RECALL?? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608608

180,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AN IN FEBRUARY WHILE DRIVING UP THA HIGH WAY MY KEYS JUST LIKE POPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR LOST POWER AND I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AT 60 MPH MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. ME N MY GIRLFRIEND WAS IN THE CAR . ON JULY 1ST I FIND OUT THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR I TRIED CONTACTING A FEW CHEVROLET DEALER…

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I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AN IN FEBRUARY WHILE DRIVING UP THA HIGH WAY MY KEYS JUST LIKE POPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR LOST POWER AND I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AT 60 MPH MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. ME N MY GIRLFRIEND WAS IN THE CAR . ON JULY 1ST I FIND OUT THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR I TRIED CONTACTING A FEW CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP COMPANIES NEAR ME AN I'VE BEEN DENIED ANY CAR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607597

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

I LEASED THE CAR 5/10/2014 AND I HAD SEVEN OCCASIONS WHERE THE CAR SIMPLY WOULDN'T START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OVER NIGHT ON ITS OWN WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607219

101,267 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Electrical System

I WAS IN A K MART PARKING LOT I HIT A SPEED BUMP AND WHEN I DID MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. RECENTLY I WAS AT WORK I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO ST HOME AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START I WAITED 20 MINUTES TRIED IT AGAIN IT STARTED UP THIS HAS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY NOW AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE HOOKED IT TO A CAR ANALYZING MACHINE IT …

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I WAS IN A K MART PARKING LOT I HIT A SPEED BUMP AND WHEN I DID MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. RECENTLY I WAS AT WORK I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO ST HOME AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START I WAITED 20 MINUTES TRIED IT AGAIN IT STARTED UP THIS HAS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY NOW AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE HOOKED IT TO A CAR ANALYZING MACHINE IT JUST SAYS SECURITY FAULT. MY MECHANIC FEELS IT IS IN THE SWITCH AND MY FATHER IS A RETIRED MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT IS A BAD PART OF THE SWITCH ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604800

102,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Electrical System

I HAVE A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES IT STARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, SOMETIMES SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS OFF. HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. IS THAT UNDER A RECALL. HAD PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO, BUT THEY COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE IT IS THE…

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I HAVE A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES IT STARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, SOMETIMES SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS OFF. HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. IS THAT UNDER A RECALL. HAD PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO, BUT THEY COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE IT IS THE SWITCH???????????? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596910

113,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Electrical System

FIRST OF ALL MY SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE, AND THEN IT STAYED ON RIGHT BEFORE THESE TIMES MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE HOSPITAL.WENT TO START MY IMPALA AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT 20 MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP AND RAN PERFECT. GOT HOME ,SHUT THE CAR OFF ,WENT BACK OUT TO…

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FIRST OF ALL MY SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE, AND THEN IT STAYED ON RIGHT BEFORE THESE TIMES MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE HOSPITAL.WENT TO START MY IMPALA AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT 20 MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP AND RAN PERFECT. GOT HOME ,SHUT THE CAR OFF ,WENT BACK OUT TO GO TO THE STORE AND IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN.WAITED 10 MINUTES ,STILL WOULD NOT WORK.WAITED ANOTHER 15 MINUTES ,CAR STARTED. WENT TO THE STORE. CAME OUT OF THE STORE STARTED RIGHT UP. WENT HOME SHUT THE CAR OFF ,NEXT MORNING HAD MY HUSBAND TRY AND START THE CAR.IT STARTED RIGHT UP . SO I THOUGHT EVERYTHINGS OK . GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO THE DOCTOR WOULD NOT START. WAITED 30 MINUTES STARTED. THAT'S WERE I'M AT NOW . I WAS TOLD WHILE IM DRIVING MY CAR IT MIGHT SHUT DOWN AND CAUSE ME TO WRECK , IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM.I'VE READ A LOT ABOUT OTHER 2004 CHEVY IMPALAS DOING THIS ALSO.SHOULD'NT GM DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596897

42,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE WILL ON OCCASION NOT START AND DISPLAYS A FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE. PROBLEM HAPPENED ON OCCASION OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, ALL WITH …

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VEHICLE WILL ON OCCASION NOT START AND DISPLAYS A FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE. PROBLEM HAPPENED ON OCCASION OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, ALL WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. EACH TIME MET WITH THE SAME DEALER DENIAL AND LACK OF ABILITY TO REPRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS. THIS YEAR THE PROBLEM BECAME FREQUENT AND TURNS OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE PASSLOCK II SENSOR OR IGNITION SWITCH. FROM READING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED OR ACKNOWLEDGED BY GM. PAID $1500 FOR REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION SWITCH AND BCM AT LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596356

182,373 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,373.

NHTSA ODI #10595608

114,000 miles · May 24, 2014
Electrical System

THE KEY DOES NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE SWITCHED KEYS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I'VE TRIED PRESSING THE BREAK AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE SAME TIME AS TURNING THE KEY. I HAVE TO TRY TO KEEP TURNING THE KEY UNTIL IT FINALLY DECIDES TO TURN. THERE HAS BEEN NO MISTREATMENT OF THE IGNITION AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593910

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.