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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

51 reports
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8,818 miles · Dec 6, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control SystemWheels

NEW 2004 CHEVY IMPALA LS FIRST USE 3/23/05. THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE I'VE HAD TO REPLACE A WHEEL BEARING & HUB ASSEMBLY. MARCH OF 2006 THE RIGHT REAR, JANUARY OF 2008 THE LEFT REAR, OCTOBER OF 2009 THE RIGHT FRONT. EACH TIME THE ABS AND SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ON. I PAID $636.31 THIS LAST TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A…

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NEW 2004 CHEVY IMPALA LS FIRST USE 3/23/05. THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE I'VE HAD TO REPLACE A WHEEL BEARING & HUB ASSEMBLY. MARCH OF 2006 THE RIGHT REAR, JANUARY OF 2008 THE LEFT REAR, OCTOBER OF 2009 THE RIGHT FRONT. EACH TIME THE ABS AND SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ON. I PAID $636.31 THIS LAST TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A POOR DESIGN AND A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE CAR BEING UNDRIVEABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WOULD BEGIN TO WOBBLE AND THE STEERING WOULD BE AFFECTED IF NOT REPAIRED WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I'VE SEEN ON LINE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECT. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE 4TH ONE WILL FAIL, OR THE OTHER 3 THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WILL FAIL AGAIN. I AM #1 CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY & THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE MONEY I'VE HAD TO PAY BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294677

73,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2004 IMPALA, BRAKE ROTORS WARPING. CAR HAS APPROX 73,000 MILES. IN THAT TIME BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR RESURFACED APPROX 4-5 TIMES DUE TO PULSING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277090

38,000 miles · Apr 3, 2009
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

AT 38,000 MILES...THE SPEEDOMETOR FAILS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY. AT FIRST IT JUST SLOWLY DROPPED TO 0. THEN THE THERMOMETER WENT HAYWIRE; I CK'D THE ENGINE EVERYTHING WAS FINE...IT REGISTERS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE NOW. NOW THE SPEEDOMETOER WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO....I TRAVEL A LOT, AND THIS THING SETTLES DOWN AFTER A LONG TRIP …

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AT 38,000 MILES...THE SPEEDOMETOR FAILS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY. AT FIRST IT JUST SLOWLY DROPPED TO 0. THEN THE THERMOMETER WENT HAYWIRE; I CK'D THE ENGINE EVERYTHING WAS FINE...IT REGISTERS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE NOW. NOW THE SPEEDOMETOER WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO....I TRAVEL A LOT, AND THIS THING SETTLES DOWN AFTER A LONG TRIP HOPEFULLY...LAST TIME IT WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GAUGE. I JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR A COP TO SEE MY MALFUNCTION. CAN HE STILL GIVE ME A TICKET IF I LEGALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM TRAVELING? LEGALLY YOU SHOULD GET THAT TICKET! MAKE ME SEE A JUDGE GM! I BOUGHT A GM CERTIFIED CAR IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THAT IT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING! YOUR BRAKES ARE KILLING ME TOO! MY BOSS'S TOYOTA IS GOING ON 80,000 MI. THEY WILL BE GOOD FOR 100,000.00 MI. I AM THE ONE PUTTING ON THE HIGHWAY MILES HERE! I AM AT APPROX. 50,000.00 MILES. REMEMBER...I GOT THE CAR AT 28,000.00 MILES. I AM A HIGHWAY TRAVELER.....IN JUST A YEAR I HAVE PUT ON 20,000.00 MILES. HIGHWAY MILES! I THINK GM GOT BAD BRAKES! THE ROTORS ARE DONE! I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A SAFE TRUSTWORTHY CAR. I GOT TRASH. I WILL BUY FOREIGN NEXT TIME; ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO NOT COVER MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GONE WRONG! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264035

65,000 miles · Jun 19, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2004 CHEVY IMPALA - ABS LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT HAVE INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON AND OFF, THEN THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, NOW THE TACHOMETER GOES HAYWIRE AND IS STUCK OVER THE MAX. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231664

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2004 CHEVY IMPALA WITH SEVERE VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WARPED. HE BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS ARE POOR QUALITY AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10229573

50,000 miles · Apr 7, 2008
Exterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPED ROTORS, WHICH I HAD REPLACED. THEN A WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING BEING BAD. I HAD LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING REPLACED AND PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. TURNED OUT IT WAS RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING THAT WAS BAD…

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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPED ROTORS, WHICH I HAD REPLACED. THEN A WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING BEING BAD. I HAD LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING REPLACED AND PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. TURNED OUT IT WAS RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING THAT WAS BAD, SO BOTH ENDED UP REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS LATER "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM" LIGHT STARTED COMING ON EVERY DAY AND SHUTS OFF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING FROM HIGH BEAMS TO DIM. SOMETIMES IT TAKES TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WILL GO FROM HIGH BEAMS TO DIM. I'VE NEVER HAD THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH CHEVROLET'S BEFORE. I'VE HAD CHEVROLET'S WITH 150,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS, OR HAD ABS PROBLEMS BEFORE, JUST NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223566

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

51,000 miles · Feb 13, 2008
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

COLLISION ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THEIR CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THEM AND KNOCKED THEM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS…

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COLLISION ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THEIR CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THEM AND KNOCKED THEM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BODY SHOP OWNER STATED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE WIRES TO THE AIRBAG HAD BEEN SLICED DURING THE ACCIDENT. FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, AND FENDERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. RADIATOR AND CONDENSER HAD TO BE REPLACED. BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SQUARED. ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217974

48,874 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrash

AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE TOOK IT BACK TO HAVE STEERING CHECKED BECAUSE IT DID NOT FEEL OR SOUND RIGHT WHEN DOING A BRAKING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL COMBINATION. MENTIONED THE NHTSA RECALL OF 2004 IMPALA. WAS TOLD DID NOT INVOLVE SS. ON THIS OCCASION WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, UNABLE TO STEER PROPERLY, COULD NOT CONTROL …

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AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE TOOK IT BACK TO HAVE STEERING CHECKED BECAUSE IT DID NOT FEEL OR SOUND RIGHT WHEN DOING A BRAKING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL COMBINATION. MENTIONED THE NHTSA RECALL OF 2004 IMPALA. WAS TOLD DID NOT INVOLVE SS. ON THIS OCCASION WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, UNABLE TO STEER PROPERLY, COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. IT SPIRALED AND HIT A BUS STOP/POLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214694

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.