Illustration2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER GIVES ERRATIC READINGS. NOTE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ARE VERY HIGH WITH SAME PROBLEM . VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
750–25K
15325–50K
23950–75K
15975–100K
158100–150K
76150K+
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 reportsTHE SPEEDOMETER ( COMPONENT 1 ) HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN BY OPERATING ERRATICALLY ON THE DATE ENTERED ABOVE AND HAS PROGRESSED TO NOT WORKING AT ALL MOST OF THE TIME OR DISPLAYING THE WRONG SPEEDS I.E. 70 MPH WHILE SITTING STILL. THE TACHOMETER ( COMPONENT 2 ) IS ALSO SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS TO COMPLETE FAILURE BY DISP…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ( COMPONENT 1 ) HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN BY OPERATING ERRATICALLY ON THE DATE ENTERED ABOVE AND HAS PROGRESSED TO NOT WORKING AT ALL MOST OF THE TIME OR DISPLAYING THE WRONG SPEEDS I.E. 70 MPH WHILE SITTING STILL. THE TACHOMETER ( COMPONENT 2 ) IS ALSO SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS TO COMPLETE FAILURE BY DISPLAYING UNREALISTIC ENGINE SPEEDS WHILE AT IDLE. I CONTACTED A DEALER WHO RAN THE VIN AND FOUND NO RECALLS. I HOWEVER HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE THAT APPEARS TO POINT TO THE STEPPER MOTORS USED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS BY GM TO BE THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT GM HAS RECALLED SEVERAL MODELS OF THE SAME ERA DUE TO THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE IMPALA LINE. I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE SAME PROBLEM IS RECALLED FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL AFFECTED MODELS.
SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 ACTING ERRATIC OR NON-FUNCTIONING AT TIMES. MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITH 86,281 MILES. *TR
THE TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING A FEW MONTHS AGO, IT GOES UP AND DOWN AND ALL AROUND AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN NOT WORKING AT ALL ONE DAY THEN IT WAS OK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE STUCK BETWEEN 40 AND 120 EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. I HAVE NO WAY TO DETERMINE MY SPEED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FAULTY AND PROVIDING AN INCORRECT READING FOR GASOLINE LEVELS, SPEED TRAVELED AND TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MESSAGE CENTER AND RADIO WAS ALSO FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FAULTY AND PROVIDING AN INCORRECT READING FOR GASOLINE LEVELS, SPEED TRAVELED AND TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MESSAGE CENTER AND RADIO WAS ALSO FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,394
WHILE DRIVING A CONSISTENT SPEED, SPEEDOMETER WILL FLUCTUATE FROM STUCK AT ZERO TO 120MPH. HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES ALSO AND DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. IF USING CRUISE CONTROL WHILE SPEED APPEARS CORRECT, THE IMPALA WILL AUTOMATICALLY INCREASE ITS OWN SPEED WHILE THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT CHANGE LEAVING AN UNSAFE OP…
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WHILE DRIVING A CONSISTENT SPEED, SPEEDOMETER WILL FLUCTUATE FROM STUCK AT ZERO TO 120MPH. HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES ALSO AND DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. IF USING CRUISE CONTROL WHILE SPEED APPEARS CORRECT, THE IMPALA WILL AUTOMATICALLY INCREASE ITS OWN SPEED WHILE THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT CHANGE LEAVING AN UNSAFE OPPORTUNITY OPEN FOR VERY TRAGIC ACCIDENTS TO HAPPEN. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MY 2010 PONTIAC VIBE HAS HAD 3 RECALLS AND THIS IMPALA HAS NOT HAD ANY FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DO PEOPLE REALLY HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE TO PROTECT US? *TR
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SPEEDOMETER BEGAN READING ERRONEOUSLY OVER 100MPH BEFORE OSCILLATING BETWEEN 0 AND 100. IT SETTLED AT 0 FOR SEVERAL HOURS BUT THEN RETURNED TO 100 WITH VEHICLE SPEED APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH BASED ON OTHER TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON WITH NO CHANGE IN SYMPTOMS. PROBLEMS PERSIST. *TR
SPEEDOMETER AND TEMP GAUGE ARE NOT WORKING IN IMPALA 2004. THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING AS I DRIVE. IT WILL COME BACK TO WORKING STATE AFTER I HAVE TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED IT. THE TEMP GAUGE JUST DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SPEEDOMETER HAS JUST STOPPED WORKING. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER IS FLOATING. SOMETIMES I AM DOING ZERO MPH. THEN SOMETIMES I AM DOING 120MPH. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. I NEVER KNOW HOW FAST I AM TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
Official recalls
415V701000 · 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 engines 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 engines 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 engines 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.