IllustrationTHE VATS SYSTEM WILL NOT LET ME START MY CAR FOR 10 TO 20 MINUTES. THE SYSTEM HAS BROKEN DOWN AND MY THINKING IS THAT GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE.
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 reportsAFTER REPLACING: BATTERY, STARTER, STARTER MODULE, IGNITION MODULE, AND TUMBLER LOCK ASSEMBLY THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START.
WHEN YOU TRY START VEHICLE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE DOES NOT START. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE NOTED ONLINE AND CUSTOMERS ARE SPENDING MONEY ON BATTERIES AND OTHER PARTS WITHOUT A FIX. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE SEEMS LIKE MANY NOTES ARE INDICATING DISGUST WITH THE COMPANY NOT RESPONDING TO THIS ISSUE.
I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL - WARNER HILL ROAD - STRATFORD CT. THE CAR BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER - INCLUDING BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE BRAKES BUT THEY WERE EXTREMELY HARD TO PUSH BUT THEY WORKED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CARS IN FRONT OR BACK AND THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS GREEN. I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS THE INT…
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I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL - WARNER HILL ROAD - STRATFORD CT. THE CAR BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER - INCLUDING BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE BRAKES BUT THEY WERE EXTREMELY HARD TO PUSH BUT THEY WORKED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CARS IN FRONT OR BACK AND THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS GREEN. I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS THE INTERSECTION INTO THE SIKORSKI AIRCRAFT PLANT PAST THE GUARD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CAR WORKED FINE. THIS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS AND ALL THE DEALER DID WAS TO REPLACE THE KEY FOB WITH A LEAD WEIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD HAVE REPLACED INSTEAD OF JUST A KEY FOB REPLACEMENT WHICH DID NOT WORK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE IGNITION KEY IN THE START POSITION WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WERE WORKING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. IT TOOK THE CONTACT TEN MINUTES TO START THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE IGNITION KEY IN THE START POSITION WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WERE WORKING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. IT TOOK THE CONTACT TEN MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE KEY IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH HE PAID TO HAVE REPLACED. *SMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE PASS LOCK ON THE KEY. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE PASS LOCK ON THE KEY. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/29/15*CN UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE FAILURE CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE AND THE RADIO SPEAKER BECAME DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE FAILURE CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE AND THE RADIO SPEAKER BECAME DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER DEFLECTOR SHIELD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
I WAS DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT AND MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON MY CAR. THE NEXT THING IT WAS OFF. WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AFTER LEAVING HOME THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAY ON. I GOT TO WORK AND LOOK IN MY GM MANUAL AND SEEN THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I WENT TO MY CAR AFTER WORK TO GO HOME THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I STO…
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I WAS DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT AND MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON MY CAR. THE NEXT THING IT WAS OFF. WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AFTER LEAVING HOME THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAY ON. I GOT TO WORK AND LOOK IN MY GM MANUAL AND SEEN THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I WENT TO MY CAR AFTER WORK TO GO HOME THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I STOP TO GET GAS. MY CAR WOULD NOT START. NICE MAN CAME AND SAID LETS DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. HE DID. MY CAR STARTED. I WAS OK FOR THREES DAY THEN THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH IN SEPT OF 2014. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY ONLY FIX THE KEY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY THEY HAD TO FIX A PART ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE ASK THAT THERE IS A RECALL. I DONT FEEL SAFE WITH THIS CAR. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR. I SCARED THAT THIS CAR COULD STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING IT. THANK YOU
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.