NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
681 reportsClear category filter78,950 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ INACCURATE SPEEDS TRAVELED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HIS RATE OF SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ INACCURATE SPEEDS TRAVELED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HIS RATE OF SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,076. UPDATED 01/06/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. GM COVERED THE LABOR AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR AN HOUR OF LABOR. UPDATD 01/24/11*JB
NHTSA ODI #10362584
42,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER,GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAVE QUIT WORKING IN OUR 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THE HEAT PANEL CONTROLLER ONLY WORKS ON ONE SIDE. ON OCCASION THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WON'T START. THE REAR DEFOGGER DOESN'T WORK. LIGHTS ON THE RADIO ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. EV…
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THE SPEEDOMETER,GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAVE QUIT WORKING IN OUR 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THE HEAT PANEL CONTROLLER ONLY WORKS ON ONE SIDE. ON OCCASION THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WON'T START. THE REAR DEFOGGER DOESN'T WORK. LIGHTS ON THE RADIO ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. EVERY SO OFTEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. I WENT ON ANOTHER SIGHT AND SAW THERE ARE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS FOR THESE SAME PROBLEMS, WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THEM FOR ATLEAST 2 YEARS, GM DOESN'T WANT TO HELP OUT WITH ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361294
118,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Electrical System
MY IMPALA IS HAVING SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WHICH I HAVE NOTICED IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED GM HAS NOT RECALLED THESE ISSUES. FIRST SAFETY ISSUE IS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IN WHICH THERE ARE FAULTY STEPPER MOTORS THAT CAUSE MY GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER TO NOT FUNCTION A…
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MY IMPALA IS HAVING SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WHICH I HAVE NOTICED IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED GM HAS NOT RECALLED THESE ISSUES. FIRST SAFETY ISSUE IS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IN WHICH THERE ARE FAULTY STEPPER MOTORS THAT CAUSE MY GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER TO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, OR WHAT TEMPERATURE YOUR CAR IS. THESE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES TO ANY DRIVER. SECOND ISSUE, MY PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAUSES MY CAR TO NOT START, LEAVING ME AND MY INFANT SON STRANDED FOR UP TO THIRTY MINUTES UNTIL IT DECIDES TO START. SHAME ON GM FOR NOT RESOLVING THESE ISSUES IN ALL THEIR MODELS. WHEN WILL THERE BE RECALLS FOR THESE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUES?! THIS IS THE LAST GM CAR I BUY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360589
60,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA, THE SPEEDOMETER IS RUNNING 40 MILES OVER WHAT THE CAR IS REALLY MOVING. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE I WAS NOT GOING FAST ENOUGH ON THE FREEWAY. SOMETHING IS FAULTY IN THE DASH BOARD. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS FOR GM CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360440
70,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER OF MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA GOES OUT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL START CLIMBING EVEN THOUGH MY SPEED HAS NOT CHANGED. I MAY BE GOING 40 MPH BUT THE SPEEDOMETER READS 120 MPH! THE GAS GAUGE WILL ALSO READ WRONG AND MY TEMP GAUGE JUST PLAIN DOESN'T WORK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. GM SAYS IT'…
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THE SPEEDOMETER OF MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA GOES OUT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL START CLIMBING EVEN THOUGH MY SPEED HAS NOT CHANGED. I MAY BE GOING 40 MPH BUT THE SPEEDOMETER READS 120 MPH! THE GAS GAUGE WILL ALSO READ WRONG AND MY TEMP GAUGE JUST PLAIN DOESN'T WORK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. GM SAYS IT'S NOT A RECALL ISSUE. IT CAN BE CORRECTED FOR AWHILE IF WE DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY, BUT THE FIX IS SHORT LIVED. WE HAVE NOT YET HAD IT REPAIRED, THE COST IS OVER $400. WE PLAN ON HAVING IT FIXED SOON. I CONSTANTLY FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS. I FEEL GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360359
106,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Electrical System
MY CAR WON'T START. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT SOMETIMES FLASHES OR REMAINS STEADY, IN EITHER EVENT, MY CAR WON'T START. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2 TIMES A DAY. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS MOMENTS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. NOW, I CAN'T CONTINUE WITH MY WORK DAY BECAUSE IT WON'T START. I HAVE HAD TO MISS WORK AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTAN…
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MY CAR WON'T START. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT SOMETIMES FLASHES OR REMAINS STEADY, IN EITHER EVENT, MY CAR WON'T START. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2 TIMES A DAY. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS MOMENTS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. NOW, I CAN'T CONTINUE WITH MY WORK DAY BECAUSE IT WON'T START. I HAVE HAD TO MISS WORK AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF OTHER CHEVY OWNERS HAVE HAD OR ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE MANY MANY OTHERS WHO SHARED THERE EXPERIENCES ON TOPIX.COM AND CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. I THINK THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. WHAT IF IT WAS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION???? IN ADDITION, WINTER IS FAST APPROACHING, AND ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE STRANDED OUTSIDE IN BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360290
60,000 miles · Oct 11, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE'S CAR TO CRANK AT TIMES. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINS BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. THIS HAS HAPPEN WHEN MY WIFE AND MY TWIN GIRLS WERE IN A BAD PLACE AND HAD TO LOCK THE DOORS AND JUST SIT IN 90 DEG WEATHER CHEVY DEALER HAS NO ANSWERS. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WH…
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THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE'S CAR TO CRANK AT TIMES. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINS BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. THIS HAS HAPPEN WHEN MY WIFE AND MY TWIN GIRLS WERE IN A BAD PLACE AND HAD TO LOCK THE DOORS AND JUST SIT IN 90 DEG WEATHER CHEVY DEALER HAS NO ANSWERS. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY ARE MADE TO FIX IT SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED OR RAPED BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T CRANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360024
50,000 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
LOW BEAMS ARE NO LONGER OPERABLE ON THE CAR. SEEMS TO BE A RUNNING THEME WITH THE CHEVY IMPALA CARS. 2004 CHEVY IMPALA I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE IN REPAIRS THAN TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION, FRONT DRIVE LINE AND NOW MY PASSLOCK LOCKS ME OUT OF THE CAR- CAR WON'T TURN ON FOR SOMETIMES 3 DAYS. LIGHTS QUIT WORKING ABOU…
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LOW BEAMS ARE NO LONGER OPERABLE ON THE CAR. SEEMS TO BE A RUNNING THEME WITH THE CHEVY IMPALA CARS. 2004 CHEVY IMPALA I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE IN REPAIRS THAN TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION, FRONT DRIVE LINE AND NOW MY PASSLOCK LOCKS ME OUT OF THE CAR- CAR WON'T TURN ON FOR SOMETIMES 3 DAYS. LIGHTS QUIT WORKING ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO I LIVE IN HAWAII AND CAN'T GET MY CAR TO PASS SAFETY INSPECTION TO GET MY STICKER SO I NOW HAVE A CAR WITH 60,000 MILES THAT CAN'T BE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD, CAN'T BE SOLD. IMPALA'S ARE MONEY SUCKING DANGEROUS LEMON VEHICLES. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT CAN'T SELL IT SO NOW WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS CAR???????????? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359150
40,000 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30-40 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,500.
NHTSA ODI #10357800
75,000 miles · Sep 25, 2010
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER AND NOW THE TEMP GAUGE FAULTY.. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS 2004 CHEVY IMPALA... GM FIXED SAME ISSUE IN THEIR TRUCKS, BUT REFUSES TO FIX IN THIS AND OTHER MODEL CARS... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357642
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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