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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 · Feb 25, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CUSTOMER RECEIVED REPAIRS DUE TO RECALL AND IS REQUESTING REPAIRS. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD TO HESITATE AND THEN JERK. PIECES OF METAL WERE DISCOVERED IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN INDICATING AN INTERNAL FAULT. ALSO, THE IGNITION AND CYLINDER WERE RE…

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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CUSTOMER RECEIVED REPAIRS DUE TO RECALL AND IS REQUESTING REPAIRS. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD TO HESITATE AND THEN JERK. PIECES OF METAL WERE DISCOVERED IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN INDICATING AN INTERNAL FAULT. ALSO, THE IGNITION AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10669011

57,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE DRIVER REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHT PREVIOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLENISHED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING AND CORRODED AND RUSTED. UPDATED 06/04/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10689920

90,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Electrical System

THE CAR WILL NOT START ALL LIGHTS AND HEAT COMES ON OR AIR THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES WILL TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 5MINS TO 30 MINUTES TO START YOU GUYS REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND IM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED AS OF YET. ME AND MY 2 YEAR WERE STUCK IN TH…

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THE CAR WILL NOT START ALL LIGHTS AND HEAT COMES ON OR AIR THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES WILL TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 5MINS TO 30 MINUTES TO START YOU GUYS REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND IM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED AS OF YET. ME AND MY 2 YEAR WERE STUCK IN THE CAR IN 0 BELOW CONDITIONS FOR AT LEAST 20 MINS I CRIED THE WHOLE TIME THINKING MY BABY WAS FREEZING WERE WE HAD LEFT FROM HAD JUST CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO BUT WAIT I NEED MY CAR TO GET AROUND PLEASE RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR YOUR CUSTOMER WE LOOK TO YOU GUYS TO GIVE US SAFE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684330

160,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE RING AND NO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OTHER THAN THE SINGLE IGNITION KEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE RING AND NO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OTHER THAN THE SINGLE IGNITION KEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10682065

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10681121

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2015
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlWheels

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

NHTSA ODI #10680845

110,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Visibility/wiper

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680810

116,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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

NHTSA ODI #10680582

130,000 miles · Jan 27, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM DISABLED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE SECURITY LIGHTS AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING BEGAN TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM DISABLED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE SECURITY LIGHTS AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING BEGAN TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10679288

149,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA ODI #10672291

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.