Cars acceleration causes me to be unable to pick up speed it decelerates up hills small or latg ramps cats constantly fly pass to avoid a multi car pile up it’s very dangerous!
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
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.
Power Train complaints
47 reportsWiring harness has got hot and cause a short not getting fuel and more
I HAVE A 2004 IMPALA AND I'M NOTICING THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT IN IT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION MESS UP A WHOLE LOT IN THESE TYPE OF CARS WHY IS THAT AND WHY DID Y'ALL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CHEVROLET IMPALA'S TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ADJUSTED HIS DRIVING HABITS OVER THE YEARS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. RECENTLY, WHILE PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE AS IT WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL, LOW 1, AND THEN REVERSE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, WHILE IN REVERSE AND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE RPMS INCREASED, THE FRONT END JERKED, AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY REVERSED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED TRANSMISSION FLUID, A GASKET, AND A FILTER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. DURING THE REPAIR, PROCESS METAL SHAVINGS AND CHUNKS WERE FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED NON-DRIVABLE AND WAS PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-4151643491. THE LOCAL DEALER (FOX AUTO GROUP, 150 ROBERT DANN DR, PAINTED POST, NY 14870, (607) 937-5431) WAS CALLED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER IF HE COULD STAY WITH THE VEHICLE DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE COULD NOT; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ALL GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ALL GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE PASSING GEAR WOULD GET ROUGH GOING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,273.
TAKATA RECALL KEY FALLS OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING SPEEDOMETER GAS GAUGE AND COMTROL PANEL NOT WORKING CAR JUMPS IN REVERSE
MY CAR WILL NO LONGER MOVE WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE OR IN ANY OF THE LOWER GEARS. IT MOVES FINE IN REVERSE. THE REPAIR FACILITY TOLD ME IT WAS THE I OUT DRUM. THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE IT IS WITH A NEW DRUM THAT HAS UPDATED SPECIFICATIONS. THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE CURRENT INPUT DRUM THAT HAS RESULTED IN THE NEED FOR AN I PUT D…
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MY CAR WILL NO LONGER MOVE WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE OR IN ANY OF THE LOWER GEARS. IT MOVES FINE IN REVERSE. THE REPAIR FACILITY TOLD ME IT WAS THE I OUT DRUM. THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE IT IS WITH A NEW DRUM THAT HAS UPDATED SPECIFICATIONS. THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE CURRENT INPUT DRUM THAT HAS RESULTED IN THE NEED FOR AN I PUT DRUM WITH UPDATED SPECS. IF THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH THE ORIGINAL DRUM SHOULD NOT A RECALL BE ISSUED?
SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, HAVE TO WAIT TEN MINS TO START VEHICLE. SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, MY GAS FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING SO I TRACK THE GAS MY MILES .. FIRST 20 MILES STRUGGLES TO GO, FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO THE FUEL PUMP TO TRANNY TO ALTERNATOR NOW IT WONT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND I …
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SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, HAVE TO WAIT TEN MINS TO START VEHICLE. SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, MY GAS FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING SO I TRACK THE GAS MY MILES .. FIRST 20 MILES STRUGGLES TO GO, FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO THE FUEL PUMP TO TRANNY TO ALTERNATOR NOW IT WONT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ONE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION IS RIDICULOUS
THE ONLY RECALL I WAS ABLE TO FIND OUT WAS FOR THE IGNITION,. MY TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT 11/19/2015, IT WILL NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR, IT STARTS JUST FINE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT LEFT ME STRANDED. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN IT DROVE JUST FINE, SO I SLOWLY DROVE IT HOME. I DON'T GET ON THE HIGHWAY NO MORE BEC…
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THE ONLY RECALL I WAS ABLE TO FIND OUT WAS FOR THE IGNITION,. MY TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT 11/19/2015, IT WILL NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR, IT STARTS JUST FINE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT LEFT ME STRANDED. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN IT DROVE JUST FINE, SO I SLOWLY DROVE IT HOME. I DON'T GET ON THE HIGHWAY NO MORE BECAUSE IT LACKS POWER THE GET UP IS NOT THERE MIND YOU YES I HAVE 225K MILES ON IT BUT I HAVE HAD ABOUT 10 TROUBLE CODES AND I MANAGED TO GET RID OF THEM ALL WHEN I CLEANED THE TPS, AIC, AND MAP SENSOR NEW EGR VALVE, OIL CHANGE TUNE UP TRANSMISSION FLUSH ALL HAS BEEN DONE THIS YEAR AND STILL ON THE HIGHWAY IT STRUGGLES, I DID HAVE ONE CODE THAT POPPED UP 0420 SO AT THIS POINT I HAVE BEEN THINKIN TO JUST REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN I GET MY TAXES, BUT THE PROBLEM IS JUST GETTING WORSE AND WORSE, SO THEN I AM THINKING ITS THE FUEL PUMP, I MEAN MY ALTERNATOR IS FINE, I KNOW I AM SICK OF THE SECURITY LIGHT ALWAYS COMING ON, MY LEFT BLINKER ONLY WORKS IN THE DAY TIME AT NIGHT NEVER WHICH IS THE WEIRDEST THING, MY WINDSHIELD BLADES ONLY WORK ON THE FASTEST SETTING, IN THE WINTER WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS MY DOORS WHEN WE GET INSIDE TO LOCK THEM THE LOCK AND UNLOCK AND THE PANEL SAYS DOOR AJAR WHEN THERE IS NO DOOR AJAR,IT WILL DRIVE JUST FINE AS IT NOTHING WAS EVER WRONG. INCONSISTENT AND WHATS EVEN WEIRD IS NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WONT EVEN COME ON AFTER MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD YOU WOULD THINK THE COMPUTER WAS ABLE TO RECORD SOMETHING. ONCE TRANNY FIXD I WILL GET THE IGNITION RECALL FIXED ORIGINALLY A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE LIKE A SCREECHING NOISE SO I FIGURED IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR NOW THAT NOISE IS GONE BUT THE MINUTE I FELT IT WASN'T THE TRANNY, MY CAR AT THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO AT ALL UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON. PLEASE HELP ME
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
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.
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