NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,072 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 1, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD MODERATE PULSATING FOR APPROXIMATELY 25, 000 MILES *TGW THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. WHEN HE DISSEMBLED THE FRONT BRAKES, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE INNER BRAKE PAD FRICTION MATERIAL HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BACKIN…
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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD MODERATE PULSATING FOR APPROXIMATELY 25, 000 MILES *TGW THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. WHEN HE DISSEMBLED THE FRONT BRAKES, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE INNER BRAKE PAD FRICTION MATERIAL HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BACKING PLATE (BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT). THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE FRICTION MATERIAL WAS FLOATING LOOSE INSIDE OF THE CALIPER FRAMES CAUSING THE EDGES OF THE FRICTION MATERIAL TO BECOME JAGGED AS A RESULT OF CONTACTING THE CALIPERS. THE INSIDE PORTION OF THE ROTOR HAD UNUSUAL WEAR DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE HAD REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPLACED ALL OF THE PADS AND THE ROTORS AT HIS EXPENSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10385888
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2011
Electrical System
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEM WITH GAUGE *TGW
NHTSA ODI #10384994
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2011
Electrical System
CHEVY IMPALA - SPEEDOMETER KEEPS MESSING UP. STOPS WORKING WHEN I AM DRIVING. WILL GOING 55 AND WHEN I STOP THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T ALWAYS GO BACK TO 0. NEXT THING I KNOW I AM IN A 35 BUT MY SPEEDOMETER IS READING 90MPH. AN ONLINE SEARCH HAS FOUND THAT MANY OTHER HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FAR TO MANY FOR THE SAME TYPE OF CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384432
125,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START AND THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10384277
120,315 miles · Feb 21, 2011
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER AND TEMPERATURE GAGE GIVE FALSE READINGS. SPEEDOMETER STICKS AND INDICATES 65 MPH WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. TACHOMETER RANDOMLY INDICATES RPMS VARYING FROM 0 TO MORE THAN 8000. TEMPERATURE GAGE INDICATES RANDOMLY BETWEEN MINIMUM OF 140 AND MAXIMUM OF 260 DEGREES.
NHTSA ODI #10384908
88,000 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2004 IMPALA W/ 3.8L ENGINE STALLS WHEN DECELERATING, LEAVING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT AND UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT IT TAKES MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RE-START. I HAVE TRIED A FEW INEXPENSIVE THINGS SUCH AS PREMIUM GAS, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, AND A NEW FUEL FILTER.…
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2004 IMPALA W/ 3.8L ENGINE STALLS WHEN DECELERATING, LEAVING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT AND UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT IT TAKES MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RE-START. I HAVE TRIED A FEW INEXPENSIVE THINGS SUCH AS PREMIUM GAS, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, AND A NEW FUEL FILTER...NO AFFECT ON THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NO "ENGINE LIGHT" WHICH APPEARS. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I MAY BE FORCED TO SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD A CAR PAYMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380793
80,000 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO SEE THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD WATER PENETRATE THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO SEE THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD WATER PENETRATE THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10380235
41,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2004 IMPALA. IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE KEPT IT MAINTAINED. RECENTLY THE GAUGES ON THE CONTROL PANEL BEGAN GOING CRAZY-FLICKING BACK AND FORTH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LITE WOULD COME ON. NOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS WHACKED OUT. IT READS 100 WHEN I'M GUESSING 40 OR 50 MPH OR 10 WHEN I'M AROUND 35 OR THE TOTAL OPPOSI…
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I HAVE A 2004 IMPALA. IT ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE KEPT IT MAINTAINED. RECENTLY THE GAUGES ON THE CONTROL PANEL BEGAN GOING CRAZY-FLICKING BACK AND FORTH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LITE WOULD COME ON. NOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS WHACKED OUT. IT READS 100 WHEN I'M GUESSING 40 OR 50 MPH OR 10 WHEN I'M AROUND 35 OR THE TOTAL OPPOSITE. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, SERVICEMAN AND TOLD THEM OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS I HAD READ ON THIS PROBLEM. HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE AROUND $550. I BELIEVE THIS IS A TOTAL RIP OFF! THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, CONSIDERING THE MOUNTED NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE ALREADY READ. THIS WAS MY 1ST CHEVROLET, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380007
92,333 miles · Jan 31, 2011
Exterior Lighting
THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS INCIDENT DURING THE LAST YEAR; THE LATEST BEING LAST NIGHT. LAST NIGHT, I WAS RUNNING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 55 AND 60 MPH ON A VERY DARK NIGHT WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. AFTER FRANTICALLY ACTIVATING THE S…
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THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS INCIDENT DURING THE LAST YEAR; THE LATEST BEING LAST NIGHT. LAST NIGHT, I WAS RUNNING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 55 AND 60 MPH ON A VERY DARK NIGHT WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. AFTER FRANTICALLY ACTIVATING THE STEERING COLUMN BRIGHT/DIM SWITCH, THE DIM LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE WE LIVE DOWN LONG, CURVY MOUNTAIN BACK ROADS THAT ARE NOT LIT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. MY RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN UNTOLD NUMBERS OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE 2004 IMPALA. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY A TAX PAYER BAILED OUT GENERAL MOTORS TO FIX A DESIGN RELATED SAFETY ISSUE. BEFORE I DO, I WILL CONTACT MY ATTORNEY AND INITIATE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. IS IT GOING TO TAKE THE NEEDLESS DEATH OF MANY PEOPLE TO GET GM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? HELLO OUT THERE. IS ANYONE LISTENING?
NHTSA ODI #10380477
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2011
Electrical System
SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE HAD MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA JUST RANDOMLY NOT START. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT IT'S THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. I'M NO MECHANIC BUT KNOW HOW TO RESEARCH AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THESE SAME ISSUES IS OVERWHELMING! IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE SOME NICKEL PINS THA…
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SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE HAD MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA JUST RANDOMLY NOT START. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT IT'S THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. I'M NO MECHANIC BUT KNOW HOW TO RESEARCH AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THESE SAME ISSUES IS OVERWHELMING! IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE SOME NICKEL PINS THAT WERE USED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT ARE VERY PICKY TO OXIDATION LEVELS TO THE POINT OF BEING FAULTY - THE SMALLEST WEAR AND TEAR OR CORROSION OF THESE PINS CAN START THIS PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING AS WELL! THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES. I LIVE IN NORTH DAKOTA, AND WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN -40 DEGREE WEATHER IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT APPEARS TO SPAN MANY YEARS AND MODELS OF GM VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379508
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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