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
150,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10787296
82,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10787229
180,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLCIKER AND SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ALSO WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT SWI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLCIKER AND SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ALSO WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10787191
180,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Exterior Lighting
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD LAST NIGHT MY HEAD LIGHTS FLASHED 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEN I LOST ALL HEADLIGHTS. AND NOW WHEN I TURN MY BRIGHTS I LOOSE ALL HEADLIGHT
NHTSA ODI #10787106
121,000 miles · Oct 28, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK IN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786684
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Electrical System
WHEN TRYING TO CRANK VEHICLE PASSLOCK CODE WON'T ALLOW CAR TO CRANK UNTIL AFTER 10 MINUTES. THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL BLINK UNTIL ITS READY TO CRANK AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI #10783493
65,168 miles · Oct 11, 2015
Electrical System
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER FAIL TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS FLICKER ON. THEREFORE I AM CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM...............
NHTSA ODI #10781364
249,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Unknown Or Other
WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR I HAVE NO LIGHTS AND NO SIGN OF TURNING OVER. THEN I WAIT 10 TO 20 MINUTES AND I GET SOME LIGHTS ON THE DASH, THEN FINALLY IT WILL START. (THIS WAS HAPPENING JUNE & JULY OF 2015) NOW, I HAVE LIGHTS, IT JUST DOESN'T WANT TO TURN OVER. IF IT DOES TRY TO TURN OVER, IT DOESN'T STAY RUNNING. WAIT 5 TO 20 …
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WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR I HAVE NO LIGHTS AND NO SIGN OF TURNING OVER. THEN I WAIT 10 TO 20 MINUTES AND I GET SOME LIGHTS ON THE DASH, THEN FINALLY IT WILL START. (THIS WAS HAPPENING JUNE & JULY OF 2015) NOW, I HAVE LIGHTS, IT JUST DOESN'T WANT TO TURN OVER. IF IT DOES TRY TO TURN OVER, IT DOESN'T STAY RUNNING. WAIT 5 TO 20 MINUTES THEN IT WILL START. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THEN STOP SOMEWHERE FOR A WHILE, THEN WHEN I GO TO LEAVE I HAVE THE ISSUES. BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR AFTER ITS BEEN SITTING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME LIKE OVER NIGHT IT WON'T START THIS ISSUE HAS BEGUN AROUND AUGUST OF 2015 TOOK TO TWO DIFFERENT GARAGES, ONE INDEPENDENT THE OTHER A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. NEITHER WANT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES, BECAUSE OF WASTING MONEY ON PARTS THAT MAY NOT BE NEEDED, WHICH I APPRECIATE, BUT YET IS FRUSTRATING. WHEN I GOOGLE MY ISSUE ONLINE THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS ON WHAT TO REPLACE BUT NO SPECIFICS. SEEMS LIKE MANY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH DEALERSHIPS....STATING CHEVY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AND HAVE A RECALL OF SOME SORT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE REPLACING PARTS JUST TO SEE IF IT'S THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY PAID $42 TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DRIVE MY CAR ALL DAY TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO THE PROBLEM. ONLINE IDEAS ARE STATING AS SIMPLE AS REPLACE THE GAS TANK CAP TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. I HAD SIMILAR ISSUES BACK IN 6/2009, CODE WAS READ AND THEY REPLACED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR, THEN HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN IN 7/2010
NHTSA ODI #10780268
120,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE CHECKING THE OIL DRIP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL HAD A MILKY APPEARANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE CHECKING THE OIL DRIP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL HAD A MILKY APPEARANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10780191
150,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ *TR
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Chevrolet Impala Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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