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
What owners actually said
1,072 reports
36,000 miles · Dec 28, 2006
Electrical System
I HAVE A BAD SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. IT IS ERRATIC. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE, BUT NOT FOR LONG. USUALLY IT READS 30 TO 60 MPH OVER WHAT I AM GOING OR IT GOES BEYOND THE 120 MAX. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY VEHICLES. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TAHOE/T2BGKBGI55EKNU77…
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I HAVE A BAD SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. IT IS ERRATIC. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE, BUT NOT FOR LONG. USUALLY IT READS 30 TO 60 MPH OVER WHAT I AM GOING OR IT GOES BEYOND THE 120 MAX. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY VEHICLES. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TAHOE/T2BGKBGI55EKNU77C/P1 ABOVE IS A LENGTHY CUSTOMER COMPLAINT SECTION ON THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177207
37,972 miles · Dec 27, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA IN TO HAVE A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE HAD 37, 792 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE COOLANT & OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND SHE HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNINGS…
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TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA IN TO HAVE A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE HAD 37, 792 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE COOLANT & OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND SHE HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNINGS. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S COOLANT LIGHT TURNED ON 9/06 AND SHE HAD COOLANT ADDED.
NHTSA ODI #10177070
65,250 miles · Dec 16, 2006
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 IMPALA SOMETIMES STICKS AT THE SPEED I AM GOING OR IT SHOW A SPEED THAT IS HIGHER OR LOW THEN I AM TRAVELING. IT SOMETIMES CORRECTS ITSELF IF THE CAR IS LEFT OFF OVER NIGHT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10176314
41,500 miles · Dec 16, 2006
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE AND DOES NOT REGISTER PROPER SPEED OR GETS STUCK ON ONE NUMBER, OTHER CONSUMERS OF THIS 2004 CHEVY IMPALA HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE FEEL IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10176294
24,000 miles · Dec 15, 2006
Exterior Lighting
CHEVY 2004 IMPALA FOR NO REASON THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON... I HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SEVERAL TIMES IN VERY DANGEROUS ROADS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED.... THANKFULLY NO CRASHES OR INJURIED. I CALLED CHEVY SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHY IT HAPPENS OR HOW TO FIX IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10176267
39,000 miles · Dec 15, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE SPEEDOMETER REMAINED AT THE 70 MPH MARK. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10176244
34,000 miles · Dec 13, 2006
Air BagsCrash
WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT I HIT A CONCRETE PARKING CURB AT 5 MPH OR LESS CAUSING BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. ONLY DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE FROM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. SINCE I HIT THE CURB AT SUCH A SLOW SPEED I DON'T THINK THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. CAR TOWED TO DEALER TO HAVE AIR BAGS REPLACED AND DAMA…
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WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT I HIT A CONCRETE PARKING CURB AT 5 MPH OR LESS CAUSING BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. ONLY DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE FROM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. SINCE I HIT THE CURB AT SUCH A SLOW SPEED I DON'T THINK THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. CAR TOWED TO DEALER TO HAVE AIR BAGS REPLACED AND DAMAGED WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. ALSO REQUESTED DEALER CHECK FOR ANY OTHER DAMAGE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10176007
30,200 miles · Dec 2, 2006
Steering
VEHICLE WITH 34943 MILES HAS CLICKING FEELING IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. DEALER REPACKED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO FIX PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174974
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2006
Steering
CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END STEERING , WENT TO DEALER WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE STEERING PART THAT WAS BEGINNING TO SEIZE , I THINK THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE SEEING THAT IF THE STEERING SEIZED I WOULD BE UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174212
65,000 miles · Nov 15, 2006
Electrical SystemFire
I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, I WENT TO PUSHING MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND WHEN I DID I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ODD SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR, THEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CONSOLE WHERE YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, THEN I HAD TO PULL OVER THE CAR BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE THAT I COULDN'T SEE AND I COULD HEAR A CRACKLI…
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I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, I WENT TO PUSHING MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND WHEN I DID I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ODD SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR, THEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CONSOLE WHERE YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, THEN I HAD TO PULL OVER THE CAR BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE THAT I COULDN'T SEE AND I COULD HEAR A CRACKLING SIZZLING NOISE, SO I PULLED AT THE PIECE THAT COVERS UP THE GEARS AND SEEN THAT THE WIRES WHERE BURNING IT LOOKED AS IF WHERE THE SPRING THAT LIGHT DYNAMITE OR SOMETHING SO I DID THE ONLY THING I COULD DO I POURED MY SODA ON THE WIRES BECAUSE I WAS SCARED THE CAR MIGHT HAVE BLOWN UP WITH ME AND MY 10 MO. OLD BOY AND 3 YEAR OLD GIRL RIGHT THERE. *NM
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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