NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
62 reportsClear category filter48,874 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
60,132 miles · Dec 3, 2007
Steering
STEERING RACK FAILURE. CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210728
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2007
Electrical SystemSteering
WE HAD JUST BOUGHT A 04 CHEVY IMPALA LS IT HAS 54,000 ON IT. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS BAD. WE ARE THINKING THAT IT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT NOT TO MENTION THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210460
29,901 miles · Nov 19, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ABS AND STEERING …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ABS AND STEERING COLUMN. TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT EXCESSIVE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,901 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
NHTSA ODI #10209372
53,592 miles · Oct 29, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD VIBRATION AND CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE OUTER HUBS, TIE RODS, AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. HOWEVER, THE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS STILL OCCUR WHEN …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD VIBRATION AND CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE OUTER HUBS, TIE RODS, AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. HOWEVER, THE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS STILL OCCUR WHEN DRIVING OVER VARIATIONS IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,592 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,472.
NHTSA ODI #10207314
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
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2007
Fuel System, OtherSteeringVisibility
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING, EVERY TURN YOU HEAR KNOCKING AND BUMPING, RECENTLY WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO REPLACED THE CAR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROPLEMS. MY AC WORKS HOWEVER ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HEATING UNIT WORKS. THE…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING, EVERY TURN YOU HEAR KNOCKING AND BUMPING, RECENTLY WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO REPLACED THE CAR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROPLEMS. MY AC WORKS HOWEVER ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HEATING UNIT WORKS. THE KNOCK SOUD OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE THE DEALER SHIP SAD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE KNOCK AND BUMPING FORTUNAELY THERE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND THEY WERE NOT INJURIED AT LEAST THEY ARE NO LONGER RESONSIBLE FOR THIS LEMON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10201783
18,000 miles · Jul 17, 2007
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
WE BOUGHT AN IMPALA CHEVROLET 2004 NEW IN 2004. THERE WERE A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT. INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER -AND SPEEDOMETER GAUGE DID NOT WORK AND NOISES CAME FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. STEERING GEAR POPPED/CLANKING NOISE HEARD AND SENSED FROM FRONT END. ALSO, SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUS…
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WE BOUGHT AN IMPALA CHEVROLET 2004 NEW IN 2004. THERE WERE A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT. INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER -AND SPEEDOMETER GAUGE DID NOT WORK AND NOISES CAME FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. STEERING GEAR POPPED/CLANKING NOISE HEARD AND SENSED FROM FRONT END. ALSO, SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT DID NOT CHANGE GEARS CORRECTLY, AND IT KIND OF BUMPED WHEN ACCELERATING, APPEARED AS IF ENGINE DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS A DELAYED START, MAY BE NECESSARY TO HOLD KEY IN START SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL STARTING OR TURNING BACK AND TRYING AGAIN. SOMETIMES KEY LOCKED IN AND WON'T TURN. TOOK TO DEALER, BUT IT DID NOT DO IT FOR THEM. *AK ON THE STEERING GEAR THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED ON 11/19/05. AGAIN THE NOISE WAS BACK AND ON 07/17/07 THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED. ON OTHER ISSUES REPAIRS ARE TO COSTLY. DO NOT FEEL SECURE ON VEHICLE THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #10196636
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2007
Steering
TL* -THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER. GMC HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THIS PART WAS POORLY DESIGNED, BUT FAILED TO COVER MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT ON IT. THE SOLUTION WAS TO CHARGE $165 + TO GREASE THE COUPLER AT THE CONTACT''S EXPENSE. GM C WAS FULLY AWARE OF A PROBLEM, AND DID NOT BRING IT TO THE CONTA…
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TL* -THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER. GMC HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THIS PART WAS POORLY DESIGNED, BUT FAILED TO COVER MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT ON IT. THE SOLUTION WAS TO CHARGE $165 + TO GREASE THE COUPLER AT THE CONTACT''S EXPENSE. GM C WAS FULLY AWARE OF A PROBLEM, AND DID NOT BRING IT TO THE CONTACT'S ATTENTION, AND THEN CHARGED THE CONTACT TO FIX IT TEMPORARILY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10186035
59,000 miles · Feb 20, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension
MY 2004 IMPALA SS HAS HAD A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND STEERING. THE CAR NOW HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS AGAIN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH NOISES IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING, STOPPING AND STARTING. THE FRONT END JUST FEELS LOOSE. THIS WAS AN ISSUE CORRECTED WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AROUND 35,000 MILES. THE PROBL…
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MY 2004 IMPALA SS HAS HAD A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND STEERING. THE CAR NOW HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS AGAIN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH NOISES IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING, STOPPING AND STARTING. THE FRONT END JUST FEELS LOOSE. THIS WAS AN ISSUE CORRECTED WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AROUND 35,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, BUT HAS RETURNED SOME 30,000 MILES LATER. ALSO, HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE ROTORS TURNED AROUND 25,000 MILES. TODAY, THE CAR IS HAVING ITS LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10183022
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗