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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

36 reports
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80,000 miles · Mar 13, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED OR READS 0 MOST OF THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261765

65,000 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAILURE: LOWER INTAKE GASKET FAILED DUE TO DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE. DEXCOOL INSTALLED AT FACTORY. VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN SERIOUS COOLANT LEAK . VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY AND STRANDED OWNER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER TOLD OWNER TO REPLACE GASKET AND COOLANT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPLACED DEXCOOL WITH ANOTHE…

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FAILURE: LOWER INTAKE GASKET FAILED DUE TO DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE. DEXCOOL INSTALLED AT FACTORY. VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN SERIOUS COOLANT LEAK . VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY AND STRANDED OWNER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER TOLD OWNER TO REPLACE GASKET AND COOLANT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPLACED DEXCOOL WITH ANOTHER LONG LIFE BRAND OF ANTIFREEZE. THE ORIGINAL DEXCOOL ALSO CLOGGED THE RADIATOR WHICH REQUIRED EXTRA FLUSHING WITH ADDITIONAL CHEMICALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246128

77,000 miles · Sep 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OR ACCELERATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT LOCKS WERE OPENED, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE BOLTS. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OR ACCELERATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT LOCKS WERE OPENED, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE BOLTS. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10244038

34,000 miles · Mar 29, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKES. ROTORS WARPED @ 21,500 MILES. 12,000 MILES LATER, WARPED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THIS WAS COMMON AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. REPAIR COST OUT OF POCKET. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM. WAS TOLD IT WAS TOTALLY NATURAL FOR MY CAR TO GET THAT HOT. UNBELIEVABLE!! NOW I HAVE AN INTAKE …

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CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKES. ROTORS WARPED @ 21,500 MILES. 12,000 MILES LATER, WARPED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THIS WAS COMMON AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. REPAIR COST OUT OF POCKET. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM. WAS TOLD IT WAS TOTALLY NATURAL FOR MY CAR TO GET THAT HOT. UNBELIEVABLE!! NOW I HAVE AN INTAKE OR A HEAD GASKET THAT IS BAD. AGAIN, NOTHING THEY CAN DO. AGAIN, COST OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHEVY I SERVICE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES IT. THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD US, "CARS ARE MADE DIFFERENT THESE DAYS. STUFF HAPPENS." IF THEY CAN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS I WON'T BUY ANOTHER. 34,000 MILES AND MY CAR IS JUNK. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS. BAD BRAKES AND BAD GASKETS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222651

30,000 miles · Mar 19, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

WE HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA, WHICH IS A PIECE OF CRAP. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, IT HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. I FILED A COMPLAINT W/ CHEVY ON PHONE NUMBER 866-790-5700. OUR CASE # IS 71-578092134. THEY WERE NO HELP, SINCE OUR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. OUR TRACTION SYSTEM & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THE TRACTION SYSTEM S…

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WE HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA, WHICH IS A PIECE OF CRAP. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, IT HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. I FILED A COMPLAINT W/ CHEVY ON PHONE NUMBER 866-790-5700. OUR CASE # IS 71-578092134. THEY WERE NO HELP, SINCE OUR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. OUR TRACTION SYSTEM & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THE TRACTION SYSTEM SHUT OFF & WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. IT ALSO KNOCKED OFF THE ABS SYSTEM. NOT SAFE. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE REPAIRS WERE A NEW THERMOSTAT & THERMOSTAT SENSOR, & DRIVERS SIDE REAR HUB BEARING. THE COST WAS $500.00, THE DEALERSHIP WANTED @1100.00!!!!!!! FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 5-10 IMPALAS A WEEK IN THEIR SHOP FOR THE SAME REPAIR!!! IT APPEARS GM SCREWED UP. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WE ALSO OWN A 1995 GMC 1500 SIERRA, HAVE NOT HAD TO FIX ANYTHING AS MAJOR AS THE IMPALA. GM'S WARRANTY IS THE WORST IN THE BUSINESS. GM WAS NO HELP AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221760

55,550 miles · Nov 14, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

SECURITY LIGHT WENT ON LAST MONTH. IT WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITIION CYLINDER. THE CAR ALSO MAKES A VIBRATING NOISE ON ACCELERATOR. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE CATALITIC CONVERTER. ALL REPLACED. THE CAR STILL MADE NOISE WHEN LEFT SERVICE AT NORTHEAST AUTO CENTER IN PHILADELP…

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SECURITY LIGHT WENT ON LAST MONTH. IT WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITIION CYLINDER. THE CAR ALSO MAKES A VIBRATING NOISE ON ACCELERATOR. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE CATALITIC CONVERTER. ALL REPLACED. THE CAR STILL MADE NOISE WHEN LEFT SERVICE AT NORTHEAST AUTO CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA PA WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. YESTERDAY THE LIGHT FOR SECURITY IS BACK ON. 2004 CHEVY IMPALA VERY DISAPPOINTED. CAR HAS 55,000 MILES. AT 36K THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WENT DURING FUNERAL PROCESSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208904

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

2004 CHEVY IMPALA WITH STEERING FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, SO SHE HAD TO HIT A CURB, WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED SHE DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER MILE AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. *KB THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SPEED SENSOR FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER ALSO …

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2004 CHEVY IMPALA WITH STEERING FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, SO SHE HAD TO HIT A CURB, WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED SHE DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER MILE AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. *KB THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SPEED SENSOR FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204906

38,000 miles · Sep 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

MY 2004 IMPALA SS HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE FIRST WAS INCORRECT SPEEDOMETER READINGS THAT LEAD TO TOTAL FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER (STICKING AND/OR ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE). THE SECOND WAS IMPROPER FUEL LEVEL INDICATION (HIGH LEVEL SHOWN WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT COMING ON - ALM…

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MY 2004 IMPALA SS HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE FIRST WAS INCORRECT SPEEDOMETER READINGS THAT LEAD TO TOTAL FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER (STICKING AND/OR ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE). THE SECOND WAS IMPROPER FUEL LEVEL INDICATION (HIGH LEVEL SHOWN WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT COMING ON - ALMOST NO FUEL LEFT). THE LATEST IS INCORRECT OIL PRESSURE INDICATION. ALL OF THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE MODEL OF STEPPER MOTOR USED TO DRIVE THESE GAUGES IN MANY GM VEHICLES. MY TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR HAS BEEN IN EXCESS OF $300, NOT INCLUDING THE CURRENT OIL PRESSURE GAUGE REPAIR (STEPPER MOTORS FOR SPEEDO AND FUEL LEVEL GAUGE). I PLAN ON HAVING ALL STEPPER MOTORS REPLACED WITH THE LATEST GENERATION REPLACEMENT (SWITEC X25.168). THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND CORRECT AS IT IS A VERY WIDESPREAD ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202291

87,550 miles · Aug 18, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAS STALLED A TOTAL OF TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP FIVE TIMES AND THE DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT NO CODES WERE FOUND DURING TESTING. SO FAR I HAVE HAD NEW PLUGS/WIRES (TUNE-UP), NEW COIL PACK, NEW IGNITION MODULE AND NEW CRANK SENSOR,…

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VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAS STALLED A TOTAL OF TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP FIVE TIMES AND THE DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT NO CODES WERE FOUND DURING TESTING. SO FAR I HAVE HAD NEW PLUGS/WIRES (TUNE-UP), NEW COIL PACK, NEW IGNITION MODULE AND NEW CRANK SENSOR, AND NEW FUEL FILTER. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY DIES AT ANY SPEED. TOLD POSSIBILITY OF BAD FUEL PUMP BUT DEALERSHIP CANNOT BE 100% CERTAIN THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT 70-75 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. IT IS A MIRACLE I HAVE NOT BEEN SEVERELY HURT OR KILLED. PROBLEMS BEGAN IN MAY 2007 AND HAVE BEEN ONGOING SINCE THEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200022

37,972 miles · Dec 27, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA IN TO HAVE A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE HAD 37, 792 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE COOLANT & OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND SHE HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNINGS…

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TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA IN TO HAVE A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE HAD 37, 792 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE COOLANT & OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND SHE HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNINGS. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S COOLANT LIGHT TURNED ON 9/06 AND SHE HAD COOLANT ADDED.

NHTSA ODI #10177070

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.