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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
130,000 miles · Apr 3, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

AFTER LISTENING TO A RADIO REPORT ON NPR DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM WITH GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALLS I DECIDED TO TEST MY OWN CAR FOR RELATED PROBLEMS. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I TAPPED ON THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY SWITCHED FROM ON TO ACC MODE. THIS RESULTED IN MY CAR ENGINE SHUTTING OFF, POWER STEERING L…

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AFTER LISTENING TO A RADIO REPORT ON NPR DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM WITH GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALLS I DECIDED TO TEST MY OWN CAR FOR RELATED PROBLEMS. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I TAPPED ON THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY SWITCHED FROM ON TO ACC MODE. THIS RESULTED IN MY CAR ENGINE SHUTTING OFF, POWER STEERING LOSS, ASSISTED BRAKE MALFUNCTION, BATTERY WARNING LIGHT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENED EXACTLY AS THE RADIO REPORT SAID THEY WOULD WITH A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS MY BROTHER IN-LAW AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR IGNITIONS AND NOW I BELIEVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE DEFECT WHICH GM HAS RECENTLY REPORTED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE GM RECALL HOTLINE AND REPORTED MY CAR MODEL AND VIN. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH REPORTS LINKED TO THE IMPALA. I WOULD APPRECIATE THE RECALL LIST BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE IMPALA IF POSSIBLE. AT LEAST THE YEARS OF 2003 AND 2004. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577119

113,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA

NHTSA ODI #10576770

189,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System

WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T START OR TURNOVER. THIS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THAN SLAM IT INTO PARK AND THEN TURN THE KEY OVER. I DID THIS A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY STARTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE MY NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THESE CARS DO…

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WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T START OR TURNOVER. THIS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THAN SLAM IT INTO PARK AND THEN TURN THE KEY OVER. I DID THIS A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY STARTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE MY NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THESE CARS DON'T HAVE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCHES. VERY ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR ON VACATION AND FAR FROM COMFORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576288

192,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Engine

MY VEHICLE RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH OVERHEATING. AS SOON AS IT WOULD WARM UP THE GAUGE WOULD GO THE WHOLE WAY PAST THE HOTTEST POSSIBLE TEMP ON THE DASH. MY HOT COOLANT TEMP LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF TO LET IT COOL. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO…

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MY VEHICLE RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH OVERHEATING. AS SOON AS IT WOULD WARM UP THE GAUGE WOULD GO THE WHOLE WAY PAST THE HOTTEST POSSIBLE TEMP ON THE DASH. MY HOT COOLANT TEMP LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF TO LET IT COOL. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS AND INTAKE GASKETS. HE RESEARCHED IT AND SAID THAT HE FOUND THAT IMPALAS FROM 20003-2007 HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINES BECAUSE OF AN ADDITIVE THAT WAS PUT IN THE ENGINE. I PAID HIM OVER 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE BEFORE I TOOK IT TO HIM I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE RADIATOR SO I GOT THAT FIXED WHICH COST ME CLOSE TO 500 DOLLARS. SO EVEN AFTER I GOT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS FIXED MY CAR STILL OVERHEATS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576248

30,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10576220

213,459 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Electrical System

I WENT OUT TO START MY IMPALA TO GET READY FOR WORK. UNLOCK MY DOORS AS I NORMALLY DO, AND PROCEED TO START THE CAR. IT IS THE CHEVY KEY THAT COMES WITH THE CAR. ANYWAY, I TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING, ALL I GET ON MY DASH IS THE FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT. SO I WENT BACK INSIDE AND DONE SOME RESEARCH WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH MY SUPERVI…

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I WENT OUT TO START MY IMPALA TO GET READY FOR WORK. UNLOCK MY DOORS AS I NORMALLY DO, AND PROCEED TO START THE CAR. IT IS THE CHEVY KEY THAT COMES WITH THE CAR. ANYWAY, I TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING, ALL I GET ON MY DASH IS THE FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT. SO I WENT BACK INSIDE AND DONE SOME RESEARCH WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH MY SUPERVISOR LETTING HIM KNOW THAT I WAS GOING TO BE LATE. TURNS OUT, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE IMPALA OF MY BODY STYLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH OR THE PASS LOCK MODULE. VERY INCONVENIENT, THIS IS THE 5TH OR 6TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, REALLY HURTS WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS WITH YOU AND ITS HOT OR COLD OUTSIDE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575810

15,914 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING MY FATHER'S 2004 CHEVY IMPALA AT THE TIME OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE. I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM ORCHARD LAKE RD ONTO NORTHWESTERN HWY (I BELIEVE THIS IS FARMINGTON MICH) AT THIS POINT I LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE (ENGINE, BRAKES & POWER STEERING DEAD) AND COASTED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON NORTHWESTERN HWY. …

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I WAS DRIVING MY FATHER'S 2004 CHEVY IMPALA AT THE TIME OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE. I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM ORCHARD LAKE RD ONTO NORTHWESTERN HWY (I BELIEVE THIS IS FARMINGTON MICH) AT THIS POINT I LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE (ENGINE, BRAKES & POWER STEERING DEAD) AND COASTED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE ON NORTHWESTERN HWY. I PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND CONTINUED ON MY MERRY WAY. NO PROBLEMS GOING THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A PROBLEM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE AUTO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED MY FATHER $481.39 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE THE WORK INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SHOWING THE WORK PERFORMED. I ALSO HAVE PROOF OF PAYMENT TO MASTERCARD SHOWING THE WORK WAS PAID FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575490

120,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER PANICKING AND TURNING ON HAZARD LIGHTS, THEN AGAIN TRYING THE TURN SIGNALS, DID THEY DECIDE TO BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY DECIDE TO STOP WORKING, AND MUST USE THE HAZARD TRICK AGAIN TO GET THEM WORKING. ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS, AND CAUSED A TRAFFIC TICKET. …

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THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER PANICKING AND TURNING ON HAZARD LIGHTS, THEN AGAIN TRYING THE TURN SIGNALS, DID THEY DECIDE TO BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY DECIDE TO STOP WORKING, AND MUST USE THE HAZARD TRICK AGAIN TO GET THEM WORKING. ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS, AND CAUSED A TRAFFIC TICKET. CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY THEY DO THIS, BUT READ UP ON MANY DIFFERENT SITES THAT MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME DIFFICULTIES. VERY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574857

98,000 miles · Mar 18, 2014
Engine

ENGINE STOPS RUNNING ARE RANDOM TIMES. WON'T RESTART FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE OCCURRENCE, BUT WOULDN'T COME CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STALLED 1 MILE FROM THEIR DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573234

120,567 miles · Mar 18, 2014
EnginePower Train

I NOTICED WHEN I GET TO 30 MPH I NOTICED A KICK IN MY TRANSMISSION, AFTER THAT IT'S SMOOTH SAILING UNTIL TAKE OFF AGAIN. I SPOKE WITH A SEVERAL MECHANIC ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WAS GOING OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE CHEVROLET IMPALA WERE FAMOUS FOR THAT. SO I BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS SITUATION AN…

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I NOTICED WHEN I GET TO 30 MPH I NOTICED A KICK IN MY TRANSMISSION, AFTER THAT IT'S SMOOTH SAILING UNTIL TAKE OFF AGAIN. I SPOKE WITH A SEVERAL MECHANIC ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WAS GOING OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE CHEVROLET IMPALA WERE FAMOUS FOR THAT. SO I BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS SITUATION AND FOUND OUT THAT EVERY PERSON I SPOKE WITH HAVE THE SAME SITUATION GOING ON. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS AN 2005 IMPALA AS WELL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE STARTED A GROUP FOR THIS. WILL YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION. IT WILL BE APPRECIATED. ... IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE STARTING A PETITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573030

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.