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2004 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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90,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Electrical System

THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM THAT STARTED IN MID MAY, 2008. MY SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN A WHILE LATER, MY CAR WON'T START FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.... I HAVE HAD THIS TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER 3 TIMES AND HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THEY ARE AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO NEXT. I HAVE HE…

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THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM THAT STARTED IN MID MAY, 2008. MY SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN A WHILE LATER, MY CAR WON'T START FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.... I HAVE HAD THIS TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER 3 TIMES AND HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THEY ARE AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO NEXT. I HAVE HEARD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE IMPALA - AND NO REMEDIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248629

59,200 miles · Nov 11, 2008
Electrical System

WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SPEEDOMETER KEEPS INCREASING WITHOUT INCREASING SPEED, UNTIL NEEDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO BOTTOM OF DIAL, WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT 150 MPH. IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A DAY OR SO, IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL, BUT GOES CRAZY AGAIN, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW CORRECT SPEED. DEALER HAD REPLA…

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WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SPEEDOMETER KEEPS INCREASING WITHOUT INCREASING SPEED, UNTIL NEEDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO BOTTOM OF DIAL, WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT 150 MPH. IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A DAY OR SO, IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL, BUT GOES CRAZY AGAIN, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW CORRECT SPEED. DEALER HAD REPLACED MANY SPEEDOMETERS ON PICKUPS AND SUVS, BUT WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OWNERS, SEE BLOGS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248530

68,700 miles · Nov 11, 2008
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 IMPALA DOES NOT WORK. SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. DEALER ESTIMATE TO REPAIR 500.00-700.00. GM DOES NOT RESPOND. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THIS YEAR VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM, WHY NO RECALL?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248437

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2008
Electrical System

THE GAUGE THAT TELLS THE SPEED DOES NOT WORK. EVERYTIME I AM USING THE CAR IT GETS STUCK AND THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE IS BY TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF. I AM SORRY, BUT THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NO CLUE HOW FAST I AM GOING OR HOW SLOW I AM GOING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248356

46,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CAR IS VERY ERRATIC. I CAN BE DRIVING AT A CONSISTENT SPEED AND THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED THAT I AM SLOWING DOWN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, MY SPEEDOMETER INDICATED I AM GOING 0-20 MPH WHEN I KNOW I AM DOING AT LEAST 50-60 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILURE TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN 50 MILES OR SO, BUT…

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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CAR IS VERY ERRATIC. I CAN BE DRIVING AT A CONSISTENT SPEED AND THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED THAT I AM SLOWING DOWN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, MY SPEEDOMETER INDICATED I AM GOING 0-20 MPH WHEN I KNOW I AM DOING AT LEAST 50-60 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILURE TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN 50 MILES OR SO, BUT IT OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY THE LONGER I DRIVE IT. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED AS THE COST IS APPROXIMATELY $500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248304

42,750 miles · Nov 8, 2008
Electrical System

DRIVING ON A TRIP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SPEEDOMETER MPH INDICATOR JUMPER TO 90 MPH AS I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN I PROCEEDED FORWARD THE INDICATOR NEEDLE RESET YOU 90 MPH AND THIS RESET CONTINUED UNTIL IT WAS POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN. IT DID NOT RESET AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON. I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST MY VE…

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DRIVING ON A TRIP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SPEEDOMETER MPH INDICATOR JUMPER TO 90 MPH AS I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN I PROCEEDED FORWARD THE INDICATOR NEEDLE RESET YOU 90 MPH AND THIS RESET CONTINUED UNTIL IT WAS POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN. IT DID NOT RESET AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON. I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST MY VEHICLE WAS GOING AFTER THAT. I WENT TO A WEB SITE FOR AUTO TROUBLES AND FOUND 72 REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH GM SPEEDOMETERS. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL SINCE A NONFUNCTIONAL SPEEDOMETER IS A SAFETY HAZARD. PS - OTHER GM MODELS ALSO HAVE REPORTS OF THIS MALFUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETERS. GM WANT $500 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SPEEDOMETER, WHEN A SIMPLE CAPACITOR FIX IS ALL THAT IS REQUIRED. A TEMP FIX WORKS FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEY IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND GM SAID IF YOU REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THEN IT COSTS ANOTHER $500 TO REPLACE THE REPLACEMENT? GM WANTS TO FLEECE US! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247987

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2008
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND THE CLUSTER HAS GONE OUT ON IT, SIMILAR CHEVY TRUCKS AND SUV'S HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CARS AREN'T COVERED UNDER RECALL. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD GO OUT ON ANY CAR AND IT IS VERY ODD THAT THE SAME MANUFACTURER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH …

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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND THE CLUSTER HAS GONE OUT ON IT, SIMILAR CHEVY TRUCKS AND SUV'S HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CARS AREN'T COVERED UNDER RECALL. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD GO OUT ON ANY CAR AND IT IS VERY ODD THAT THE SAME MANUFACTURER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247955

43,000 miles · Nov 5, 2008
Electrical System

2004 IMPALA WITH 43,000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER SLOWLY BEGINS TO READ HIGHER AND HIGHER VALUES. WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 55-60 MPH, SAW HIGHEST READING AT 105 MPH, READ 73 MPH STANDING STILL. REPEATEDLY TURNING CAR ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY WILL "0" THE SPEEDOMETER, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED THE NEXT…

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2004 IMPALA WITH 43,000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER SLOWLY BEGINS TO READ HIGHER AND HIGHER VALUES. WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 55-60 MPH, SAW HIGHEST READING AT 105 MPH, READ 73 MPH STANDING STILL. REPEATEDLY TURNING CAR ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY WILL "0" THE SPEEDOMETER, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED THE NEXT DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247765

50,000 miles · Nov 5, 2008
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWS WRONG SPEED-FASTER THAN I AM GOING-ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT SLOWING DOWN ON FREEWAY. CHEVY WANTS $500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247733

55,000 miles · Nov 2, 2008
Electrical System

ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA, THE SPEEDOMETER IS NEVER RIGHT. THIS JUST STARTED. I'VE BEEN READING ON THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER IMPALAS AND THERE IS NO FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. THIS CAR WILL BE HANDED DOWN TO MY DAUGHTER WHEN SHE IS 16. HOW IS SHE SUPPOSED TO KNOW HER SPEED? GM NE…

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ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA, THE SPEEDOMETER IS NEVER RIGHT. THIS JUST STARTED. I'VE BEEN READING ON THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER IMPALAS AND THERE IS NO FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. THIS CAR WILL BE HANDED DOWN TO MY DAUGHTER WHEN SHE IS 16. HOW IS SHE SUPPOSED TO KNOW HER SPEED? GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247458

Official recalls

4

15V701000 · 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.