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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
132,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Electrical System

OFTEN MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA WILL NOT START ON THE INITIAL TRY. I HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES WITH THE IGNITION ON FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE AND CHEVROLET SHOULD OWN UP TO THE MISTAKE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615492

64,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND GOING OVER A POT HOLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND GOING OVER A POT HOLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615245

109 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Equipment Adaptive/mobility

MY CHEVY IMPALA IGNITION WOULD NOT START MY CAR ON. I CALLED THE SEVERAL DEALERSHIP. [XXX] SAID THERE'S NO RECALL FROM GM ON THAT. NOW I DON'T HAVE A CAR BECAUSE OF A IGNITION PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611159

160,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND CRASHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PAIN AND M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND CRASHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PAIN AND MILD BRUISING ON NECK, BACK, KNEE AND BOTH ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10610993

150,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10610368

231,000 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructureCrash

THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE WAY HOME. AFTER COMPLAINING ON A CHEVY FORUM, I BOUGHT A USED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WHICH I LEARNED WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN IMPALAS AND MONTI CARLOS. THIS YEAR IN SPRING (SORRY I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE OR MILES) THAT PART MALFUNCTIONED WHEN ON BRIGHT. THE SALVAGE Y…

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THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE WAY HOME. AFTER COMPLAINING ON A CHEVY FORUM, I BOUGHT A USED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WHICH I LEARNED WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN IMPALAS AND MONTI CARLOS. THIS YEAR IN SPRING (SORRY I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE OR MILES) THAT PART MALFUNCTIONED WHEN ON BRIGHT. THE SALVAGE YARD WAS SOLD OUT IN USED SWITCHES BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A COMMON DEFECT AND I COULDN'T AFFORD A NE,W ONE. WHILE DRIVING ON DIM I HIT TWO DEER WHICH CAUSED $100S OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGES. I COMPLAINED CHEVY SAID THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART MYSELF. I PAID OVER $300 TO REPLACE WITH MY LABOR. THEN MY LIGHTS WENT OUT ON DIM. CHEVY DID THE MATH, ITS CHEAPER TO TAKE THE CHANCE O SOMEONE DYING AND SUING THEN TO TAKE AWAY THIS MONEY SOURCE FOR DEALERS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610005

79,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical System

MY CAR AS WELL AS OTHER GM CARS OF MY YEAR, 2000-2006 HAVE EXPERIENCED A "NO-START" CONDITION WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION TO START THE ENGINE. IT IS A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS WITH GM'S PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. MY CAR DOES NOT START RIGHT AWAY AT TIMES. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DR…

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MY CAR AS WELL AS OTHER GM CARS OF MY YEAR, 2000-2006 HAVE EXPERIENCED A "NO-START" CONDITION WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION TO START THE ENGINE. IT IS A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS WITH GM'S PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. MY CAR DOES NOT START RIGHT AWAY AT TIMES. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT TURN ON AT ALL. WHILE IT WON'T START, THE "SECURITY" LIGHT WOULD FLASH SEVERAL TIMES. IT TAKES OVER 10 MINUTES FOR THE CAR TO START. ALTHOUGH, THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A LIFE-THREATENING RECALL, BUT IT CAN BE. IF ANYONE WERE TO BE IN A VERY DANGEROUS AREA AND THE CAR TAKES OVER 10 MINUTES TO START, THE ODDS OF THAT PERSON GETTING HURT OR POSSIBLY KILLED ARE EXTREMELY HIGH! GM HAS NEVER EVER RECALLED THEIR PASSLOCK ISSUE, AND IT CAN COST OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR WHICH THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY, IT CAN COST SOMEONE'S LIFE, SOMEONE'S LOST WAGES FOR WORK, AND A HOST OTHER UNFORTUNATE RESULTS IF IT'S GOING TO TAKE A CAR OVER 10 MINUTES TO START BECAUSE OF A FAULTY, ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609725

50,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER WORKS SOMETIMES. OTHER TIMES IT GETS STUCK ON MPH. I CAN BE SITTING STILL AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL READ 52 MILES PER HOUR. OTHER TIMES IT WILL KEEP GOING UP UNTIL THE NEEDLE IS MORE THAN BURIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609692

170,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Exterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT TWO WEEKS LATER THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISENGAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT TWO WEEKS LATER THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISENGAGED IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE HIGH BEAMS HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HIGH BEAMS SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10609277

179,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteeringFire

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST STARTED OUT WHERE IF I HAD MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON EVERY NOW AND AGAIN ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WOULDN'T STAY ON SO HAD TO HOLD TO KEEP THEM ON. THEN IT CAME A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27TH 2014, I…

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I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST STARTED OUT WHERE IF I HAD MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON EVERY NOW AND AGAIN ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WOULDN'T STAY ON SO HAD TO HOLD TO KEEP THEM ON. THEN IT CAME A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27TH 2014, I WAS AT WORK AND HAPPENED TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND NOTICED MY LIGHTS WERE ON. WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE IF CAR WAS DEAD. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR I COULD SEE THAT MY STEERING COLUMN WAS SMOKING (ON FIRE) COMING FROM THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS HAD STUCK TO ON SOMEHOW AND THIS IS WHY I COULD SEE THAT MY LLIGHTS WERE ON. I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND THE SMOKING STOPPED. WHEN I WENT TO HOOK BATTERY BACK UP THERE WASN'T ANY MORE SMOKING BUT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE GOING AS FAST AS THEY COULD AND I COULDN'T SWITCH OR DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THEM STOP. THE HAZARDS OR ALL MY LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON/OFF REPEATEDLY. NOTHING I COULD DO TO STOP. AS OF NOW I'M DRIVING WITHOUT ANY FUSE TO THE WIPERS AND THE LIGHTS WORK DURING THE DAYTIME BUT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL AFTER DARK. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE PART THAT IS NEEDED TO REPLACE THIS IS A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SWITCH. HOWEVER, THIS IS GOING TO COST $800 TO REPLACE. MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL CAR AND NO RECALL?? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608608

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.