← New search

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

What owners actually said

1,072 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10820216

240,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND POWERED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ODI #10818157

116,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING OIL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING OIL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10811666

128,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. TWO YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP. THE FAILURE RECURRE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. TWO YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER THE SAME AFTER THE TUNE UP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10811439

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2015
Service BrakesTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL GRINDS ON THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO ST…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL GRINDS ON THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10811198

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10811107

175,000 miles · Dec 9, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

FAULTY/WORN IGNITION SWITCH IN THIS VEHICLE WILL GENERATE THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: (DETERMINED THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR DUE TO CHRONIC ELECTRICAL ISSUES:) 1). ENGAGEMENT AND DISABLEMENT OF ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE OF LACK OF GOOD POWER TO THE SYSTEM FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH CIRCUIT. 2). ENTIRE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SYSTEM(TURN SIGNAL…

Read full complaint

FAULTY/WORN IGNITION SWITCH IN THIS VEHICLE WILL GENERATE THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: (DETERMINED THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR DUE TO CHRONIC ELECTRICAL ISSUES:) 1). ENGAGEMENT AND DISABLEMENT OF ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE OF LACK OF GOOD POWER TO THE SYSTEM FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH CIRCUIT. 2). ENTIRE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL SYSTEM(TURN SIGNALS) AGAIN BECAUSE OF LACK OF GOOD POWER TO THE SYSTEM FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH CIRCUIT. THESE TWO SITUATIONS LEAD TO VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WHICH MAY HAPPEN STATIONARY OR WHILE IN MOTION. THESE ISSUES WERE INTERMITTENT AND WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IGNITION SWITCH IN A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT GENERATE ISSUES SUCH AS THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10809168

225 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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 …

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10794993

225 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10794992

130,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE AND CREATED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10788607

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.