IllustrationMY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. *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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS INACCURATE READINGS. ON OCCASION, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS 50 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT IS ACTUALLY DRIVING 30 MPH. THE SPEED SENSOR WAS CHECKED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECT WAS IN THE ACTUAL SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. SHE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS INACCURATE READINGS. ON OCCASION, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS 50 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT IS ACTUALLY DRIVING 30 MPH. THE SPEED SENSOR WAS CHECKED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECT WAS IN THE ACTUAL SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER READ AS 30 MPH AROUND A CURB, BUT SHE WAS ACTUALLY TRAVELING MUCH FASTER AND ALMOST STRUCK THE CURB. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
GAS GAUGE ERRATIC FALSE READINGS GM MECHANIC TOLD ME FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WAS BAD TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER IT STILL IS WRONG. THAN I PAY DEALER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS SO THEY CAN TELL ME I NEED A 500 DOLLAR GAUGE CLUSTER WHICH THEY SAID WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THAT WAS AFTER I WAS TOLD FUEL SENSOR WAS COMMON PROBLEM TOO. I HAVE SEEN AN…
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GAS GAUGE ERRATIC FALSE READINGS GM MECHANIC TOLD ME FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WAS BAD TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER IT STILL IS WRONG. THAN I PAY DEALER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS SO THEY CAN TELL ME I NEED A 500 DOLLAR GAUGE CLUSTER WHICH THEY SAID WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THAT WAS AFTER I WAS TOLD FUEL SENSOR WAS COMMON PROBLEM TOO. I HAVE SEEN AND READ OF MANY COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS IN DIFFERENT AUTOMOTIVE COMPLAINT SITES. *TR
SPEEDOMETER HAS GONE HAYWIRE AND IS NOT ACCURATE ON 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. DISPLAYS 45 WHEN DOING 75, OR WHEN DOING 45. SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE ON THE I-94 I THOUGHT I WAS DOING 45 BEHIND A "SLOW" CAR, IT TURNS OUT I WAS DOING 75. WHEN ON SIDEROADS, NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS MOVING AT 25 OR 40????? *TR
THE IGNITION STOPPED WORKING. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 19,000 MILES. THIS IS GOING TO COST $600 TO FIX. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. *TR
SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T ALWAYS RESET TO ZERO. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY AT 10 OR 20 MPH AT A STOP. WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, IR SHOWS THAT YOU ARE GOING FASTER THAN YOU REALLY ARE. SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY AT 50 MPH AT A STOP. THEN, WHEN YOU ACCELERATE IT WILL GO ALL THE WAY PAST THE LIMIT AND BE AT "6 O'CLOC…
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SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T ALWAYS RESET TO ZERO. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY AT 10 OR 20 MPH AT A STOP. WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, IR SHOWS THAT YOU ARE GOING FASTER THAN YOU REALLY ARE. SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY AT 50 MPH AT A STOP. THEN, WHEN YOU ACCELERATE IT WILL GO ALL THE WAY PAST THE LIMIT AND BE AT "6 O'CLOCK POSITION AND STAY THERE. SOMETIMES I WILL USE MY GPS UNIT TO TELL ME MY SPEED, BUT I KNOW ITS NOT PERFECTLY ACCURATE. I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND REPEATEDLY TURN THE KEY ON AND OFF TO GET IT BACK TO ZERO. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS PROVEN THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SPEEDOMETER IS BROKEN AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A DELAYED CRANK. THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL HOURS TO START SOMETIMES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AS IF THE BATTERY F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A DELAYED CRANK. THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL HOURS TO START SOMETIMES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AS IF THE BATTERY FAILED; HOWEVER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING WAS STILL OPERATIVE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A DULL HUMMING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY ANOTHER CONSUMER WHO WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR FAILURES THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT REPAIR. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE COULD BE SEVERAL DEFECTS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION MODULE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE AFRAID TO MAKE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW IF EITHER OF THE REMEDIES WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE STARTER AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED, BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING WELL BELOW 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 65 MPH. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT INSTEAD OF BEING DEFAULTED AT 0 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN AT 60 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WOULD DISPLAY DIFFERENT S…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING WELL BELOW 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 65 MPH. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT INSTEAD OF BEING DEFAULTED AT 0 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN AT 60 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WOULD DISPLAY DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,400.
MY IMPALA 2004 HAS ABOUT 41,000 MILES ON IT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE WENT RIGHT OVER TO HOT, I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN AND FOR A HALF AN HOUR HAD IT ON A MACHINE TO LET ME KNOW IF IT WAS SERIOUS. THE RESULT FROM THIS TEST WAS, I COULD GET AWAY WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IS AND JUST WATCH MY VEHICLE FOR ANY SIGN…
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MY IMPALA 2004 HAS ABOUT 41,000 MILES ON IT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE WENT RIGHT OVER TO HOT, I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN AND FOR A HALF AN HOUR HAD IT ON A MACHINE TO LET ME KNOW IF IT WAS SERIOUS. THE RESULT FROM THIS TEST WAS, I COULD GET AWAY WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IS AND JUST WATCH MY VEHICLE FOR ANY SIGNS OF OVERHEATING OR GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. A MONTH OR SO LATER MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF IT WAS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS NOW AND I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THE FIRST MECHANIC OF COURSE TOLD ME IT WAS SERIOUS AND BRING IT RIGHT IN AND THE SECOND CHEVROLET MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, JUST TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAIT ABOUT 20 MIN AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD START. WAS INFORMED THAT IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO GET THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REPAIRED. AFTER READING THIS SIGHT AND SPEAKING WITH OTHER IMPALA OWNERS I REALIZED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND PERHAPS CHEVROLET SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL. *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.