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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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55,000 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS (1) DEFECTIVE FUEL CAP - LEAD TO FUEL EMISSIONS INTO ATMOSPHERE AND MALFUNCTION OF EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. (2) DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER - COULD HAVE LEAD TO EXCESSIVE SPEED, INAPPROPRIATE SPEED, AND/OR CRASH (3) DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM - CAN EITHER NOT ALLOW THE VEHIC…

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CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS (1) DEFECTIVE FUEL CAP - LEAD TO FUEL EMISSIONS INTO ATMOSPHERE AND MALFUNCTION OF EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. (2) DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER - COULD HAVE LEAD TO EXCESSIVE SPEED, INAPPROPRIATE SPEED, AND/OR CRASH (3) DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM - CAN EITHER NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START, OR CAN CAUSE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING AND THEN NOT START UPON OPERATOR COMMAND. COULD LEAD TO DEATH OR DISMEMBERMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445008

52,500 miles · Jan 9, 2012
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SAME PROBLEM AS MOST OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443144

60,000 miles · Jan 2, 2012
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER HAS STARTED TO FAIL. SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS 80 WHEN PARKED AND WELL OVER 120 WHILE DRIVING. NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS REALLY GOING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442124

99,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA BEGAN ACTING UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/21/2011. I WAS GOING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH AND WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL FOR SLOWER TRAFFIC, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER APPEARED TO BE STUCK AT 70MPH. THIS WAS CONFIRMED WHEN SHORTLY UP THE ROAD I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND…

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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA BEGAN ACTING UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/21/2011. I WAS GOING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH AND WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL FOR SLOWER TRAFFIC, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER APPEARED TO BE STUCK AT 70MPH. THIS WAS CONFIRMED WHEN SHORTLY UP THE ROAD I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE SPEEDOMETER STILL READ 70 MPH. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CALLED A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE TO INQUIRE WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE IMPALA AND THAT EVENTUALLY MY OTHER GAUGES LIKE THE FUEL LEVEL WILL ALSO ACT UP. I LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE THAT HAVE MY SAME ISSUE WHICH I CONSIDER A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THAT THERE ARE NO RECALL NOTICES FOR THE ISSUE. I AM JUST FLOORED TO FIND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR AN ITEM LIKE THIS. LOOKING INTO THE MATTER FURTHER, TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, IT MUST BE TAKEN TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER REPLACED AT THE COST OF $600. PLEASE LOOK INTO ALL THE REPORTED ISSUES SIMILAR TO MINE AND SEE IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE CONCERNING A RECALL. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440045

65,000 miles · Dec 4, 2011
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILING. - WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. STARTED JUMPING AROUND FOR A MIN UNTIL IT FINALLY STUCK. NOW IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEVER HAS THE CORRECT MPH. SOMETIMES STICKING 20 - 30 MPH WHILE IN PARK. OTHER TIMES STAYING AT 0LEAST WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. …

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILING. - WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. STARTED JUMPING AROUND FOR A MIN UNTIL IT FINALLY STUCK. NOW IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEVER HAS THE CORRECT MPH. SOMETIMES STICKING 20 - 30 MPH WHILE IN PARK. OTHER TIMES STAYING AT 0LEAST WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. VERY UNSAFE. SHOULD'VE A RECALL, AFTER CALLING THE DEALER AND BEING QUOTED NEARLY 600.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER THIS MANY COMPLAINTS CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. NO MORE AMERICAN CARS FOR ME THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438485

92,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, THE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR THE DURATION OF MY DRIVE WHICH IS USUALLY JUST AROUND 9 MILES (I DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PULL OUT FROM A PARKING SPOT. ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE BRAKES MAKE A G…

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WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, THE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR THE DURATION OF MY DRIVE WHICH IS USUALLY JUST AROUND 9 MILES (I DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PULL OUT FROM A PARKING SPOT. ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND IT TAKES A BIT MORE EFFORT THAN USUAL TO STOP. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE TRACTION/ABS LIGHT TO COME ON EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY CAR. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437441

99,000 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Electrical System

GAUGES ON INSTRUMENT PANEL NOT WORKING SPEED GAUGE SAYS YOU ARE GOING 120 WHEN YOU ARE GOING 50 NOW IT STAYS PEGGED ALL THE WAY OVER I FELL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHEVY SHOULD RECALL THIS IT IS A PROBLEM IN A LOT OF THERE VEHICLE ALSO HEAT GAUGE IS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434278

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2011
Electrical System

THE CAR WILL NOT START ALL THE TIME. BUT IF YOU TURN THE SWITCH ON AND OFF 3 TIMES IT MAY WORK OR MAY NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430870

115,000 miles · Sep 24, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING FOR NO REASON. BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNALS WILL JUST NOT WORK. I FOUND A TEMPORARY FIX ON A CAR FORUM ON THE WEB. IF YOU TURN THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK AGAIN FOR AWHILE. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED ONLY OCCASIONALLY. NOW IT IS HAPPENING ON A DAILY B…

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THE TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING FOR NO REASON. BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNALS WILL JUST NOT WORK. I FOUND A TEMPORARY FIX ON A CAR FORUM ON THE WEB. IF YOU TURN THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK AGAIN FOR AWHILE. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED ONLY OCCASIONALLY. NOW IT IS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS. AND YOU DON'T FIND OUT UNTIL YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A TURN OR SWITCH LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE CAR FORUMS TO INDICATE TO ME THAT MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SECOND ELECTRICAL COMPLAINT I'VE HAD TO MAKE ON THIS CAR. THE OTHER PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES NOT FUNCTIONING WHICH REQUIRED A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427050

147,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE TO STARTING ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSIST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE TO STARTING ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425774

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.