IllustrationCHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND I CANT TELL HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. THE SPEEDOMETER SOMETIMES READS ZERO, SOMETIMES READS 100MPH AND I AND ONLY GOING 30MPH. THIS IS DANGEROUS! *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 reportsI HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA,FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK HALF OF THE TIME, ALSO NOW THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS SOMETIMES, ITS A SAFETY ISSUE, I GOT THE CAR FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS, G.M. NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT HAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF ISSUES WITHIN THE DASH. MY CAR SHOWS THAT IT IS RUNNING HOT WHEN IT IS NOT. IT ALSO SHOWS IT HAS NO GAS WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE NEWEST ISSUE IS THAT MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOW STUCK ON 80 WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND IS WELL OVER THE 120MPH WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA THAT HAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF ISSUES WITHIN THE DASH. MY CAR SHOWS THAT IT IS RUNNING HOT WHEN IT IS NOT. IT ALSO SHOWS IT HAS NO GAS WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE NEWEST ISSUE IS THAT MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOW STUCK ON 80 WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND IS WELL OVER THE 120MPH WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING. THIS IS THE WORSE OF THE THREE BECAUSE I OR SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED BY THIS. TO HAVE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WITH UNSAFE VEHICLES AND THE MANUFACTURE NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IS RIDICULOUS TO SAY THE LEAST. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS HAS NOT. BEEN RECALLED. I HOPE IT DOES NOT TAKE SOMEONE BEING KILLED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING! *TR
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA - SPEEDOMETER GONE HAYWIRE 1. FIRST, THE TURN SIGNAL BLINKER FAILED. BLINKER DID NOT WORK, BUT TURN SIGNAL STAYED LIT AND INDICATED I AS TURNING. 2. NEXT, THE HEAT TURNED TO AIR CONDITIONER MODE. I HAD TO SWITCH OFF THE AC BACK TO HEAT. 3. LAST, ON A 45 MPH ROAD I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY…
Read full complaint
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA - SPEEDOMETER GONE HAYWIRE 1. FIRST, THE TURN SIGNAL BLINKER FAILED. BLINKER DID NOT WORK, BUT TURN SIGNAL STAYED LIT AND INDICATED I AS TURNING. 2. NEXT, THE HEAT TURNED TO AIR CONDITIONER MODE. I HAD TO SWITCH OFF THE AC BACK TO HEAT. 3. LAST, ON A 45 MPH ROAD I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY SPEEDOMETER SHOT UP TO 75, DESPITE MY SPEED BEING MAINTAINED AT 45 (PER THE GPS UNIT). I HAD TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY WHERE IT IS 60 MPH. USED MY GPS IN ORDER TO GO THE CORRECT SPEED LIMIT. AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN PARKED, THE SPEEDOMETER NOW REGISTERS 75 MPH. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TOO AT: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/IMPALA/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SPEEDOMETER_GONE_HAYWIRE.SHTML. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT THE SECURITY …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS UNABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
SPEEDOMETER WAS GIVING ERRATIC READINGS AND NOW HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I REPLACED SPEED SENSOR AND IT DID NOT HELP. I HAVE TO LOOK AT GPS TO FIND SPEED OR ESTIMATE BASED ON FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON INTERNET AND GM SHOULD REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER/INSTRU…
Read full complaint
SPEEDOMETER WAS GIVING ERRATIC READINGS AND NOW HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I REPLACED SPEED SENSOR AND IT DID NOT HELP. I HAVE TO LOOK AT GPS TO FIND SPEED OR ESTIMATE BASED ON FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON INTERNET AND GM SHOULD REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR
MY ENGINE WOULDNT START BECAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM CHEVY HAD IN THE 2004 IMPALA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,00…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED AND THE INDICATOR GAUGE FRACTURED. THE GAUGE WAS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED AND THE INDICATOR GAUGE FRACTURED. THE GAUGE WAS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,300.
TYPICAL GM SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER READS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH FASTER THAN TRUE SPEED. READS 30MPH WHEN SITTING STILL. GM ISSUED A "RECALL" TO SETTLE A CLASS ACTION SUITE FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON ITS TRUCKS AND SUVS, BUT DID NOT ISSUE IT FOR PASSENGER CARS LIKE THE IMPALA. *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.