IllustrationCars 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
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
41 reportsWHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND GO TO ACCELERATE THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP. IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE ROAD ONCE U COME TO A STOP AND OR STOP AND TURN ONTO A STREET OR HIGHWAY. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES. I READ ONLINE AT ITS HAPPENING ALOT TO PEOPLE ALL OVER. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSTANT E…
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WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND GO TO ACCELERATE THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP. IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE ROAD ONCE U COME TO A STOP AND OR STOP AND TURN ONTO A STREET OR HIGHWAY. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES. I READ ONLINE AT ITS HAPPENING ALOT TO PEOPLE ALL OVER. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSTANT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. PREVIOUS OWER ADVISED ME OF THE PROBLEM AS WELL.
TURNED ON MY CAR STARTED PUSHING ON THE GAS MY CAR MADE A WEIRD VIBRATION TYPE SOUND. CAME UP ON MESSAGE BOARD TRACTION CONTROL AFTER A COUPLE TIMES OF IT DOING THAT, THE ABS AND TAX LIGHT COME ON AND ON THE MESSAGE WINDOW IT SAYS SYSTEM TRACTION SERVICE. IT KINDA FREAKED ME OUT CAUSE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WENT TO GO HIT …
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TURNED ON MY CAR STARTED PUSHING ON THE GAS MY CAR MADE A WEIRD VIBRATION TYPE SOUND. CAME UP ON MESSAGE BOARD TRACTION CONTROL AFTER A COUPLE TIMES OF IT DOING THAT, THE ABS AND TAX LIGHT COME ON AND ON THE MESSAGE WINDOW IT SAYS SYSTEM TRACTION SERVICE. IT KINDA FREAKED ME OUT CAUSE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WENT TO GO HIT THE GAS AND IT SAID TRACTION CONTROL AND I MOVED A LITTLE THAN I HAD TO LET GO OF GAS THEN TRY AGAIN. ALSO HAVE HAD A COUPLE INCIDENTS WHERE I GO TO BREAK AND IT MAKES A VIBRATION FEELING ON THE BRAKE AND BRINGS UP TRACTION CONTROL AGAIN. REALLY WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED OUT VERY CONCERNED. DON'T WANT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSE MY CAR FAILS TO TAKE OFF.
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAGES WILL NOT FUNCTION, ALL INDICATORS ARE FACING DOWNWARD AND DO NOT MOVE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN MOVING OR STANDING STILL.
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
I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND WAS DRIVING AND MY GAS HAND,SPEEDOMETER AND OIL INDICATORS JUST FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CIRCLE. INSTEAD OF SHOWING ME THE AMOUNT OF GAS I HAVE THE RED NEEDLE FALLS BEHIND THE "E". THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE SPEEDOMETER,THE NEEDLE JUST FALLS TO THE BOTTOM,AND THE COLD/HOT INDICATOR IS AT THE …
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I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND WAS DRIVING AND MY GAS HAND,SPEEDOMETER AND OIL INDICATORS JUST FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CIRCLE. INSTEAD OF SHOWING ME THE AMOUNT OF GAS I HAVE THE RED NEEDLE FALLS BEHIND THE "E". THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE SPEEDOMETER,THE NEEDLE JUST FALLS TO THE BOTTOM,AND THE COLD/HOT INDICATOR IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. ISN'T THIS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING LEVEL AND THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING LEVEL AND THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TODAY MY CAR LOCKED UP AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP WHEELS AND SPEED JUST MY BRAKES WAS THE ONLY THING THAT WORKED . THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF, NOT START BACK UP. I WAS AFRAID BECAUSE I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR
HELLO, I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER AND DROVE IT TO WORK TWO DAYS LATER. I WORK AN HOUR AWAY AND TAKE THE TURNPIKE....I NOTICED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NEAR 90, AND WHEN I PULLED INTO MY JOBS PARKING LOT I WAS NEAR 40 MPH...THE PARKING LOT'S SPEED LIMIT IS 10 MILES PER HOUR WITH SPEE…
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HELLO, I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER AND DROVE IT TO WORK TWO DAYS LATER. I WORK AN HOUR AWAY AND TAKE THE TURNPIKE....I NOTICED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NEAR 90, AND WHEN I PULLED INTO MY JOBS PARKING LOT I WAS NEAR 40 MPH...THE PARKING LOT'S SPEED LIMIT IS 10 MILES PER HOUR WITH SPEEDBUMPS SO I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I GOT OFF OF WORK MY GAS TANK READ PAST THE FULL MARK....I HAVE BEEN FILLING THE TANK EVERY OTHER DAY TO PREVENT BEING STRANDED. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND HE TOOK A LOOK AT IT. I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 01/17/15 AND TODAY'S DATE IS 02/01/15 AND I AM STILL WAITING TO GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. I'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SEEN A LOT CHEVY IMPALAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MOST NOTABLY 2001-2005 I WOULD BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL IF THE MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED. THANKS, [XXX] P.S. THERE WEREN'T SPECIFIC OPTIONS FOR THE PROBLEMS. THEY ARE:THE GAS GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, THE WHOLE PANEL....I FOUND OUT THIS IS CALLED A CLUSTER? OR CLUSTER PANEL? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA DEALER HAS NOT RECEIVED PART FOR RECALL *CN THE CONSUMER STATED IN DECEMBER 2013, HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPING TO ZERO. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE …
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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA DEALER HAS NOT RECEIVED PART FOR RECALL *CN THE CONSUMER STATED IN DECEMBER 2013, HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPING TO ZERO. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE CLUSTER HAD APPARENTLY GONE BAD. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER SHOP AND THEY STATED THE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE PART WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT RETURN. *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.