IllustrationI WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD LAST NIGHT MY HEAD LIGHTS FLASHED 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEN I LOST ALL HEADLIGHTS. AND NOW WHEN I TURN MY BRIGHTS I LOOSE ALL HEADLIGHT
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
104 reportsTHE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN STARTING ENGINE THEN COMES BACK ON AGAIN AND STAYS ON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE SWITCH TO GET THE LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS TO WORK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE SWITCH TO GET THE LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS TO WORK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,270.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. MA 10/19/2015 *CN
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
HAD HIGH BEAMS ON, HEADING HOME, LIGHTS ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT OFF! PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. LOW BEAMS WORK FINE, HIGH BEAMS DO NOT. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY. MY LOW BEAMS WORK OK BUT IF I USE HIGH BEAMS THEY RANDOMLY GO OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND GM VEHICLE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC AT THE GM DEALERSHIP SAID 4 OF HIS 6 FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. A FORMER CO-WORKER HAD SAME PROBLE…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY. MY LOW BEAMS WORK OK BUT IF I USE HIGH BEAMS THEY RANDOMLY GO OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND GM VEHICLE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC AT THE GM DEALERSHIP SAID 4 OF HIS 6 FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. A FORMER CO-WORKER HAD SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS TO OLD FOR THEM TO FIX IT... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND WAS ABLE TO ACTIVATE ONLY ONE SETTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
SWITCH BECAME DIFFICULT TO CHANGE TO HIGH BEAMS, SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WOULD GO BLACK. NOW HIGH BEAMS ONLY STAY ON BY HOLD SWITCH BACK. *TR
I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS. I TURN ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNALS AND IT WAS NOT WORKING. I DEPRESSED MY HAZARD SWITCH, AND TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED MY LEFT TURN SIGNALS AGAIN AND IT STARTED WORKING. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JULY,2014. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS …
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I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS. I TURN ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNALS AND IT WAS NOT WORKING. I DEPRESSED MY HAZARD SWITCH, AND TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED MY LEFT TURN SIGNALS AGAIN AND IT STARTED WORKING. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JULY,2014. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS TODAY! *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.