IllustrationSPEEDOMETER STATS SLOWING DOWN WHEN DRIVING. EVENTUALLY READS ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN DOING REALLY 70 MPH. *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 STARTED READING INCORRECTLY. IT GOES UP, BUT DOES NOT GO BACK DOWN WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN. NOW THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS DOING THE SAME THING. I ALSO OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 4X4 THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOU…
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THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED READING INCORRECTLY. IT GOES UP, BUT DOES NOT GO BACK DOWN WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN. NOW THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS DOING THE SAME THING. I ALSO OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 4X4 THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THE 2004 IMPALA, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT WERE NOT CORRECTING IT AT THAT TIME UNDER ANY RECALL. IF I WANTED THE PROBLEM FIXED, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD CORRECT AS THEY DID WITH THE 2004 SILVERADO. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY. IT SOMETIMES GOES UP WAY PAST 120 MPH. ODDLY, I'M ABLE TO RESET IT BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THE TURNING THE KEY TO THE A/C POSITION. THIS ONLY SETS THE SPEEDOMETER BACK A LITTLE WAY EACH TIME SO I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY BACK AND FORTH LIKE 20 TIMES TO GET THE…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY. IT SOMETIMES GOES UP WAY PAST 120 MPH. ODDLY, I'M ABLE TO RESET IT BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THE TURNING THE KEY TO THE A/C POSITION. THIS ONLY SETS THE SPEEDOMETER BACK A LITTLE WAY EACH TIME SO I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY BACK AND FORTH LIKE 20 TIMES TO GET THE SPEEDOMETER TO RESET BACK TO ZERO. IT'LL WORK FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN IT'LL GO CRAZY AGAIN. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC AND COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING; STUCK ON 80 OR 100 MPH AT ALL TIMES. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN POOR WEATHER DUE TO INABILITY TO JUDGE SPEED OF VEHICLE ACCURATELY. THIS COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND/OR SPEEDING TICKETS. NOTHING DONE BY OWNER AT THIS TIME DUE TO COSTLY REPAIR; FEEL G…
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THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC AND COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING; STUCK ON 80 OR 100 MPH AT ALL TIMES. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN POOR WEATHER DUE TO INABILITY TO JUDGE SPEED OF VEHICLE ACCURATELY. THIS COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND/OR SPEEDING TICKETS. NOTHING DONE BY OWNER AT THIS TIME DUE TO COSTLY REPAIR; FEEL GM RECALL APPROPRIATE DUE TO MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE. THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER STARTED READING ERRATICALLY CONSTANTLY. I DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHAT SPEED I WAS GOING. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. THE OLD PART WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE, THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE RETURNED TO BE REFURBISHED. COST: $508.28. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE INOPERATIVE AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE, SHE CANNOT DETERMINE HOW FAST SHE IS TRAVELING, WHICH IS HAZARDOUS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO IDENTIFY THE CA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE INOPERATIVE AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE, SHE CANNOT DETERMINE HOW FAST SHE IS TRAVELING, WHICH IS HAZARDOUS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,500. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/19/09. *JB
DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA ON THE EXPRESSWAY, AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED ADVANCING UNTIL IT WAS OVER 120MPH. I MAINTAIN MY PLACE, PACING THE OTHER BUT I HAD NO IDEA OF MY SPEED. I FOUND OUT THAT IMPALAS HAVE A HISTORY OF DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETERS. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OVER WARRANTY…
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DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA ON THE EXPRESSWAY, AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED ADVANCING UNTIL IT WAS OVER 120MPH. I MAINTAIN MY PLACE, PACING THE OTHER BUT I HAD NO IDEA OF MY SPEED. I FOUND OUT THAT IMPALAS HAVE A HISTORY OF DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETERS. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OVER WARRANTY, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER. A GM MECHANIC TOLD ME HOW TO TEMP FIX IT, BUT I RECURS OFTEN. GM MUST RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETERS! EVEN IF YOU TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC OR GM DEALERSHIP YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE TEMP FIXED IT OR ACTUALLY REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER? SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT JUDGE THEIR HIGHWAY SPEED. I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OTHER GM VEHICLES (EG.TAHOE) HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU GET US A RECALL AND FIX? GM MECHANICS KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE MY COMPLAINT MAY NOT BE 'SAFETY' RELATED, IT IS CERTAINLY AN ISSUE. I HAVE 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT IS SUFFERING FROM A COMMON AND KNOWN PASSLOCK PROBLEM. HOW CAN CHEVY BE ALLOWED TO PRODUCE FAULTY PRODUCTS? IF THIS IS GOING ON HOW DO I KNOW THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES ON MY CAR WILL WORK? I AM SO DISTURBED BY THIS. *TR
THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FIRST FLUCTUATE GREATLY EVERYTIME THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, THEN IT JUST STOPPED. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER DID THE SAME THING. THE SPEEDOMETER NOW STAYS STATIONARY BELOW 0 MPH. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME YOU PEOPLE SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO ME OR MY CHILDREN. *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.