IllustrationTHE KEY DOES NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE SWITCHED KEYS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I'VE TRIED PRESSING THE BREAK AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE SAME TIME AS TURNING THE KEY. I HAVE TO TRY TO KEEP TURNING THE KEY UNTIL IT FINALLY DECIDES TO TURN. THERE HAS BEEN NO MISTREATMENT OF THE IGNITION AT ALL. *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
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 reportsWHEN I ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE , SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT START. NO IGNITION. THERE IS POWER BUT NOT IGNITION. AFTER I WAIT 10 MINUTES IT WILL START. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A SECURITY SWITCH IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE SHUTS THE CAR DOWN, SO THE CAR CANNOT BE STAR…
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WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE , SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT START. NO IGNITION. THERE IS POWER BUT NOT IGNITION. AFTER I WAIT 10 MINUTES IT WILL START. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A SECURITY SWITCH IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE SHUTS THE CAR DOWN, SO THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED. AND AFTER 10 MINUTES EXACTLY THE VEHICLE WILL START. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT STATE THAT THEY TOO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
2004 CHEVY IMPALA LOSES LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE MULTIPURPOSE SWITCH LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER LOSING LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS AFTER A FEW MONTHS HIGH BEAM LAMPS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING. *TR
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT NIGHT AND SWITCHING ON HIGH BEAMS, THEN WHEN SWITCHING BACK TO LOW BEAMS, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF COMPLETELY. I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO PUT THE FOG LIGHTS ON, SO IF THE LIGHTS GO OUT I WILL STILL BE ABLE TO SEE. *TR
HEAD LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON, BLINKERS WILL NOT TURN ON, TRACTION CONTROL TURNS ITSELF OF AND YOU CANNOT TURN IT BACK ON. THE FOLLOWING DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY AND ABS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR ON AND OFF. STARTED AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES. SOMETIMES ONLY ONE OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS OCCUR AND …
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HEAD LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON, BLINKERS WILL NOT TURN ON, TRACTION CONTROL TURNS ITSELF OF AND YOU CANNOT TURN IT BACK ON. THE FOLLOWING DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY AND ABS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR ON AND OFF. STARTED AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES. SOMETIMES ONLY ONE OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS OCCUR AND SOMETIMES ALL AT ONCE. PROBLEMS HAPPEN DAY AND NIGHT, DAMP OR DRY, USUALLY ONLY OCCUR DURING ENGINE START UP, BUT OCCASIONALLY HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. I FOUND A TRICK TO MAKE THE HEAD LIGHTS COME ON (TURNING ON AND OFF MY HAZARD LIGHTS). MY FOG LIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THESE ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE THAT IS THE DIRECTION EVERYONE POINTS ME TOO. BOTH ARE GOOD. I SEE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HOPE THIS GETS LOOK INTO. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 IMPALA WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE. I TRIED TO TURN AND HIT THE BRAKES AND NOTHING WORKED. I SLAMMED ON MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND AFTER A WHILE I REALIZED THE CAR HAD SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. A MONTH LATER MY BOYFRIEND HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE DRIVING IT. *TR
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND I WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CRASH INVOLVED 4 CARS AND MY AIRBAGS NEVER DID THEIR JOB. *TR
ON THE NIGHT OF APRIL 24, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 PM I HAD JUST GOT OFF WORK AND WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START I GOT A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE CONTROL PANEL WHICH SAYS SECURITY AFTER SITTING ABOUT 30 MINUTES IN THE RAIN AND COLD IT STARTED UP THEN I GOT HOME AND TURN IT OFF THEN TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON AND IT…
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ON THE NIGHT OF APRIL 24, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 PM I HAD JUST GOT OFF WORK AND WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START I GOT A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE CONTROL PANEL WHICH SAYS SECURITY AFTER SITTING ABOUT 30 MINUTES IN THE RAIN AND COLD IT STARTED UP THEN I GOT HOME AND TURN IT OFF THEN TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULD NOT START IT SHOW SECURITY ON THE DASHBOARD I HAVE REVIEWED A COUPLE SITES ON THE INTERNET AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET IMPALA'S FROM 2000 TO 2004 I THINK THAT'S A BIG CONCERN BEING A ELECTRIC PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU CAN BE IN THE MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD AND A CAR JUST CUTS OFF AND WILL NOT START BACK UP. *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ONE PERSON WAS INJURED WHICH REQUIRED MEDIAL TREATMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MI…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ONE PERSON WAS INJURED WHICH REQUIRED MEDIAL TREATMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. KMJ
THE VEHICLE OWNER ALLEGES THAT HE HIT ANOTHER VECHICLE AT 60 MPH INJURIES WERE TO HIS BACK, LEG , HEAD AND CHEST. HIS HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY *BF UPDATED 08/14/14*LJ UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN
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.