I ENTER AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT. THE OTHER PARTY TURNED IN FRONT OF ME EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A RED TURN LIGHT. I HIT HIM HEAD ON INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS DOOR. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT IMPACT WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I SUSTAINED PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE IN BOTH MY HANDS AND ARMS. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Impala
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impala years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
1,072 reportsI OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AN IN FEBRUARY WHILE DRIVING UP THA HIGH WAY MY KEYS JUST LIKE POPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR LOST POWER AND I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AT 60 MPH MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. ME N MY GIRLFRIEND WAS IN THE CAR . ON JULY 1ST I FIND OUT THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR I TRIED CONTACTING A FEW CHEVROLET DEALER…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AN IN FEBRUARY WHILE DRIVING UP THA HIGH WAY MY KEYS JUST LIKE POPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR LOST POWER AND I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AT 60 MPH MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. ME N MY GIRLFRIEND WAS IN THE CAR . ON JULY 1ST I FIND OUT THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR I TRIED CONTACTING A FEW CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP COMPANIES NEAR ME AN I'VE BEEN DENIED ANY CAR REPAIRS. *TR
I LEASED THE CAR 5/10/2014 AND I HAD SEVEN OCCASIONS WHERE THE CAR SIMPLY WOULDN'T START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OVER NIGHT ON ITS OWN WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *TR
MY 2004 IMPALA HAS THE ABS LIGHT ON. IT SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE THE ABS IS COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING FELT ODD. I WAS RIGHT BY MY HOUSE SO I SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND DROVE IT THE BLOCK HOME. I TRIED DRIVING IT AROUND THE BLOCK THE NEXT DAY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I AM FINDING MANY PEOPLE POSTING THE SAME …
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MY 2004 IMPALA HAS THE ABS LIGHT ON. IT SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE THE ABS IS COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING FELT ODD. I WAS RIGHT BY MY HOUSE SO I SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND DROVE IT THE BLOCK HOME. I TRIED DRIVING IT AROUND THE BLOCK THE NEXT DAY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I AM FINDING MANY PEOPLE POSTING THE SAME THING ON THE INTRANET. MANY CRASHES.I CALLED CHEVY AND WE READ / LOCATED THE SAME RECALL, FROM 6/14/04 #04049. WE IN TURN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND AFTER MANY DAYS, CALLS, FINALLY GOT MY CAR IN. THEY JUST CALLED SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY SPECIFIC IMPALA. IT IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE/CRASH VICTIMS TALK ABOUT. I CALLED CHEVY BACK AND THEY SAID IT GOES BY STATE. I GUESS I AM SUPPOSE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT CRASHES AND THERE IS AN INJURY/DEATH BEFORE THEY DECIDE THAT THERE ARE MORE IMPALA'S OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT NEED THE RECALL. I AM AT WITS END AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I AM HAVING AN ESTIMATE DONE ON DOING WHAT THE RECALL STATED TO DO AND WILL THEN CALL CHEVY BACK TO TRY TO PUSH THE MATTER HIGHER UP THE CHAIN. *TR
I WAS IN A K MART PARKING LOT I HIT A SPEED BUMP AND WHEN I DID MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. RECENTLY I WAS AT WORK I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO ST HOME AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START I WAITED 20 MINUTES TRIED IT AGAIN IT STARTED UP THIS HAS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY NOW AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE HOOKED IT TO A CAR ANALYZING MACHINE IT …
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I WAS IN A K MART PARKING LOT I HIT A SPEED BUMP AND WHEN I DID MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. RECENTLY I WAS AT WORK I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO ST HOME AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START I WAITED 20 MINUTES TRIED IT AGAIN IT STARTED UP THIS HAS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY NOW AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE HOOKED IT TO A CAR ANALYZING MACHINE IT JUST SAYS SECURITY FAULT. MY MECHANIC FEELS IT IS IN THE SWITCH AND MY FATHER IS A RETIRED MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT IS A BAD PART OF THE SWITCH ALSO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHICH EXACERBATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHICH EXACERBATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BEARINGS, BRAKES AND TWO TIRES. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,984.
I HAVE A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES IT STARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, SOMETIMES SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS OFF. HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. IS THAT UNDER A RECALL. HAD PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO, BUT THEY COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE IT IS THE…
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I HAVE A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES IT STARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, SOMETIMES SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS OFF. HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. IS THAT UNDER A RECALL. HAD PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO, BUT THEY COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE IT IS THE SWITCH???????????? *TR
FIRST OF ALL MY SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE, AND THEN IT STAYED ON RIGHT BEFORE THESE TIMES MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE HOSPITAL.WENT TO START MY IMPALA AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT 20 MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP AND RAN PERFECT. GOT HOME ,SHUT THE CAR OFF ,WENT BACK OUT TO…
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FIRST OF ALL MY SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE, AND THEN IT STAYED ON RIGHT BEFORE THESE TIMES MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE HOSPITAL.WENT TO START MY IMPALA AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO WAIT 20 MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP AND RAN PERFECT. GOT HOME ,SHUT THE CAR OFF ,WENT BACK OUT TO GO TO THE STORE AND IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN.WAITED 10 MINUTES ,STILL WOULD NOT WORK.WAITED ANOTHER 15 MINUTES ,CAR STARTED. WENT TO THE STORE. CAME OUT OF THE STORE STARTED RIGHT UP. WENT HOME SHUT THE CAR OFF ,NEXT MORNING HAD MY HUSBAND TRY AND START THE CAR.IT STARTED RIGHT UP . SO I THOUGHT EVERYTHINGS OK . GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO THE DOCTOR WOULD NOT START. WAITED 30 MINUTES STARTED. THAT'S WERE I'M AT NOW . I WAS TOLD WHILE IM DRIVING MY CAR IT MIGHT SHUT DOWN AND CAUSE ME TO WRECK , IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM.I'VE READ A LOT ABOUT OTHER 2004 CHEVY IMPALAS DOING THIS ALSO.SHOULD'NT GM DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
VEHICLE WILL ON OCCASION NOT START AND DISPLAYS A FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE. PROBLEM HAPPENED ON OCCASION OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, ALL WITH …
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VEHICLE WILL ON OCCASION NOT START AND DISPLAYS A FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE. PROBLEM HAPPENED ON OCCASION OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, ALL WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. EACH TIME MET WITH THE SAME DEALER DENIAL AND LACK OF ABILITY TO REPRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS. THIS YEAR THE PROBLEM BECAME FREQUENT AND TURNS OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE PASSLOCK II SENSOR OR IGNITION SWITCH. FROM READING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED OR ACKNOWLEDGED BY GM. PAID $1500 FOR REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION SWITCH AND BCM AT LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,373.
Official recalls
415V701000 · 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 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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