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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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42,000 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND WAS DRIVING AND MY GAS HAND,SPEEDOMETER AND OIL INDICATORS JUST FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CIRCLE. INSTEAD OF SHOWING ME THE AMOUNT OF GAS I HAVE THE RED NEEDLE FALLS BEHIND THE "E". THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE SPEEDOMETER,THE NEEDLE JUST FALLS TO THE BOTTOM,AND THE COLD/HOT INDICATOR IS AT THE …

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I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND WAS DRIVING AND MY GAS HAND,SPEEDOMETER AND OIL INDICATORS JUST FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CIRCLE. INSTEAD OF SHOWING ME THE AMOUNT OF GAS I HAVE THE RED NEEDLE FALLS BEHIND THE "E". THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE SPEEDOMETER,THE NEEDLE JUST FALLS TO THE BOTTOM,AND THE COLD/HOT INDICATOR IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. ISN'T THIS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713261

60,000 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING LEVEL AND THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING LEVEL AND THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10712460

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2015
Electrical System

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE #14350. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD UNNECESSARY REPAIRS DONE ON THE VEHICLE, AS THE SAFETY ISSUE COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10703677

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

COME ON NOW, I SEE THE COMPLAINTS ON A BUNCH OF THINGS THAT IS WRONG WITH MY 2004 IMPALA. AN THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PERSON SAYING IT. THERE SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE THAT YOU GUYS SEEM TO BE IGNORING AN REFUSING TO FIX. I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME FOR SOME PEOPLE TO GET TOGETHER AND FILE SOME KIND OF LAWSUIT AGAINST…

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COME ON NOW, I SEE THE COMPLAINTS ON A BUNCH OF THINGS THAT IS WRONG WITH MY 2004 IMPALA. AN THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PERSON SAYING IT. THERE SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE THAT YOU GUYS SEEM TO BE IGNORING AN REFUSING TO FIX. I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME FOR SOME PEOPLE TO GET TOGETHER AND FILE SOME KIND OF LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU GUYS IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. NOW FOR THE SAME COMPLAINTS FOR MY IMPALA, NUMBER 1 IT DOES NOT LIKE TO START SOMETIMES AND THEN I HAVE TO WAIT 20 MINS TO AN HOUR JUST FOR IT TO FINALLY START. NUMBER 2 THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON. NUMBER 3 THE GAGES TO MY SPEEDOMETER AND GAS MOVE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND DOESN'T GIVE ME THE ACCURATE READING. OTHER EXPERIENCES I'VE HAD NOTICED IS THAT MY BRIGHTS DON'T ALWAYS LIKE TO SHUT OFF THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR PULLS MAINLY TO THE RIGHT, BUT ALSO BACK AND FORTH. AND ALL THE BUTTONS AND LIGHT TO MY RADIO WORKS BUT NO SOUND COMES THREW. I HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE OTHER THINGS IN THE COMPLAINTS YET BUT THESE ONES I HAVE AN THEY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED LIKE I SAID BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT IT BY THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10704094

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WHILE WAITING FOR THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN TWICE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WHILE WAITING FOR THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN TWICE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10703538

200,794 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Electrical System

MY SECURITY LIGHT POPS ON AND THEN WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF IT WON'T START BACK UP FOR AT LEAST 20 MINS. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND LEAVES ME STRANDED...I SEEN OTHER REVIEWS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH GM VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702475

130,434 miles · Mar 20, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT DEALERSHIP IN ROCHESTER NY IT HAD AROUND 128000 WHEN BOUGHT IT DIED OUT AT ABOUT 131,000 THEY CLAIMED THAT THE CAR WAS FULLY INSPECTED WAS A TOTAL FAILURE HAD TO SPEND A 1000 PLUS DOLLARS AT GOOD YEAR TO MONTHS AFTER BOUGHT HAD NO HEAT [XXX] HEADS COULD FIX IT I WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THE CAR I WAY OVE…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT DEALERSHIP IN ROCHESTER NY IT HAD AROUND 128000 WHEN BOUGHT IT DIED OUT AT ABOUT 131,000 THEY CLAIMED THAT THE CAR WAS FULLY INSPECTED WAS A TOTAL FAILURE HAD TO SPEND A 1000 PLUS DOLLARS AT GOOD YEAR TO MONTHS AFTER BOUGHT HAD NO HEAT [XXX] HEADS COULD FIX IT I WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THE CAR I WAY OVER PAY I PAID 5300 WITH TAXES AND SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY DEAD... THE CALL THE DEAKER NO RESPONSE I HAVE WARRANTY BUT THEY WONT ANSWER OR DO WORK. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700789

83,817 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, ONE OF THE KEYS WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE SPARE KEY WAS USED THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, ONE OF THE KEYS WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE SPARE KEY WAS USED THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,817. UPDATED 5/5/15*CN UPDATED 9/16/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10694861

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 9/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10690717

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CUSTOMER RECEIVED REPAIRS DUE TO RECALL AND IS REQUESTING REPAIRS. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD TO HESITATE AND THEN JERK. PIECES OF METAL WERE DISCOVERED IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN INDICATING AN INTERNAL FAULT. ALSO, THE IGNITION AND CYLINDER WERE RE…

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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CUSTOMER RECEIVED REPAIRS DUE TO RECALL AND IS REQUESTING REPAIRS. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD TO HESITATE AND THEN JERK. PIECES OF METAL WERE DISCOVERED IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN INDICATING AN INTERNAL FAULT. ALSO, THE IGNITION AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10669011

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.