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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 complaints

36 reports
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52,000 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Service Brakes

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, MORE OFTEN WHEN SLIPPERY WINTER CONDITIONS EXIST BUT THIS CAN HAPPEN EVEN ON PERFECTLY DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT MY IMPALA INTO DRIVE AND START TO ACCELERATE THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT FOR TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEMS. THIS HAPPENS WITH A NOTICEABLY LOUD GRI…

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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, MORE OFTEN WHEN SLIPPERY WINTER CONDITIONS EXIST BUT THIS CAN HAPPEN EVEN ON PERFECTLY DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT MY IMPALA INTO DRIVE AND START TO ACCELERATE THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT FOR TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEMS. THIS HAPPENS WITH A NOTICEABLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. AUTOMATICALLY I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR AND THE SYSTEMS HALF THE TIME SEEMS TO RESET ITSELF AS THE GRINDING NOISE STOPS, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOES OUT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT AS WELL. I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE WITH NO PROBLEM AT THAT POINT. THE OTHER HALF OF THE TIME THE LIGHTS ALL STAY ON FOR THE LENGTH OF MY DRIVE, WITH THE GRINDING SUBSIDING WHEN I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY TOLD ME IT MAY BE A SPEED SENSOR GOING BAD. THEY WOULD HAVE TO DIAGNOSE IT AND POSSIBLY REPLACE THE SENSOR AND QUITE A LARGE COST. I ARGUED THAT IF MY BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY THAN THIS MAY WELL BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHEVROLET SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. NO CHANCE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER WITH THE SAME RESULT. PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522617

135,000 miles · Jun 9, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes

WAS TURNING LEFT FROM STOP WHEN TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON ALSO ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION OFF SWITCH LIGHT, NOW IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AND SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR. IT MAKES A GROWLING SOUND,IF I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT ALL THE LIGHTS GO OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515886

98,000 miles · May 23, 2013
Power TrainService Brakes

TRACTION CONTROL TRIES TO KICK WHEN BRAKING. BRAKES ACT AS THOUGH THEY ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST MY FOOT PRESSURE AT THIS TIME. TRACTION CONTROL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE STOPPING. TRACTION CONTROL SHUTS OFF, WARNING LIGHT TO SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON, ABS SHUTS OFF AND LIGHT COMES ON, AND RED "BRAKES…

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TRACTION CONTROL TRIES TO KICK WHEN BRAKING. BRAKES ACT AS THOUGH THEY ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST MY FOOT PRESSURE AT THIS TIME. TRACTION CONTROL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE STOPPING. TRACTION CONTROL SHUTS OFF, WARNING LIGHT TO SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON, ABS SHUTS OFF AND LIGHT COMES ON, AND RED "BRAKES" LIGHT TURNS ON. VEHICLE DRIVES AND BRAKES JUST FINE AFTER THAT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE. ON OCCASION THESE EVENTS HAPPEN WHEN GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACKS OR OTHER SIMILAR BUMPS AND BRAKES ARE NOT INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513327

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH IN THE CAR WHEN I ACCELLERATE I HEAR TWO THING, A WATER SWISHING SOUND AND A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . THEN MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHT. THEN WHEN I GO TO BRAKE THERE IS ANOTHER GRINDING SOUND. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. BUT IT DOES HAPPEN OFTE…

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IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH IN THE CAR WHEN I ACCELLERATE I HEAR TWO THING, A WATER SWISHING SOUND AND A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . THEN MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHT. THEN WHEN I GO TO BRAKE THERE IS ANOTHER GRINDING SOUND. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. BUT IT DOES HAPPEN OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504662

130,000 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Service BrakesTraction Control System

THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE SNOW AND ICE CAME AND THEN ON MY WAY TO WORK WITH NO WARNING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. I SLID RIGHT THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH NO WARNING. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT ALL IN THE SNOW AND ICE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THE CARS WERE SPACED OUT, THAT…

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THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE SNOW AND ICE CAME AND THEN ON MY WAY TO WORK WITH NO WARNING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. I SLID RIGHT THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH NO WARNING. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT ALL IN THE SNOW AND ICE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THE CARS WERE SPACED OUT, THAT KEPT ME FROM A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MAKE,MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR. MY QUESTION IS WHY HAVE THEY NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2004 CHEVY IMPALA BEFORE IT KILLS OR SERIOUSLY INJURES OTHER PEOPLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496302

88,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY RESISTANT. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY RESISTANT. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10461430

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.