IllustrationMY ENGINE WOULDNT START BECAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM CHEVY HAD IN THE 2004 IMPALA. *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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED AND THE INDICATOR GAUGE FRACTURED. THE GAUGE WAS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED AND THE INDICATOR GAUGE FRACTURED. THE GAUGE WAS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,300.
TYPICAL GM SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER READS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH FASTER THAN TRUE SPEED. READS 30MPH WHEN SITTING STILL. GM ISSUED A "RECALL" TO SETTLE A CLASS ACTION SUITE FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON ITS TRUCKS AND SUVS, BUT DID NOT ISSUE IT FOR PASSENGER CARS LIKE THE IMPALA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ INACCURATE SPEEDS TRAVELED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HIS RATE OF SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ INACCURATE SPEEDS TRAVELED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HIS RATE OF SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,076. UPDATED 01/06/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. GM COVERED THE LABOR AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR AN HOUR OF LABOR. UPDATD 01/24/11*JB
THE SPEEDOMETER,GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAVE QUIT WORKING IN OUR 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THE HEAT PANEL CONTROLLER ONLY WORKS ON ONE SIDE. ON OCCASION THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WON'T START. THE REAR DEFOGGER DOESN'T WORK. LIGHTS ON THE RADIO ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. EV…
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THE SPEEDOMETER,GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAVE QUIT WORKING IN OUR 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THE HEAT PANEL CONTROLLER ONLY WORKS ON ONE SIDE. ON OCCASION THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WON'T START. THE REAR DEFOGGER DOESN'T WORK. LIGHTS ON THE RADIO ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. EVERY SO OFTEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. I WENT ON ANOTHER SIGHT AND SAW THERE ARE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS FOR THESE SAME PROBLEMS, WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THEM FOR ATLEAST 2 YEARS, GM DOESN'T WANT TO HELP OUT WITH ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS.. *TR
MY IMPALA IS HAVING SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WHICH I HAVE NOTICED IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED GM HAS NOT RECALLED THESE ISSUES. FIRST SAFETY ISSUE IS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IN WHICH THERE ARE FAULTY STEPPER MOTORS THAT CAUSE MY GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER TO NOT FUNCTION A…
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MY IMPALA IS HAVING SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WHICH I HAVE NOTICED IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED GM HAS NOT RECALLED THESE ISSUES. FIRST SAFETY ISSUE IS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IN WHICH THERE ARE FAULTY STEPPER MOTORS THAT CAUSE MY GAS GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER TO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, OR WHAT TEMPERATURE YOUR CAR IS. THESE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES TO ANY DRIVER. SECOND ISSUE, MY PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAUSES MY CAR TO NOT START, LEAVING ME AND MY INFANT SON STRANDED FOR UP TO THIRTY MINUTES UNTIL IT DECIDES TO START. SHAME ON GM FOR NOT RESOLVING THESE ISSUES IN ALL THEIR MODELS. WHEN WILL THERE BE RECALLS FOR THESE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUES?! THIS IS THE LAST GM CAR I BUY! *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA, THE SPEEDOMETER IS RUNNING 40 MILES OVER WHAT THE CAR IS REALLY MOVING. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE I WAS NOT GOING FAST ENOUGH ON THE FREEWAY. SOMETHING IS FAULTY IN THE DASH BOARD. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS FOR GM CARS. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER OF MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA GOES OUT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL START CLIMBING EVEN THOUGH MY SPEED HAS NOT CHANGED. I MAY BE GOING 40 MPH BUT THE SPEEDOMETER READS 120 MPH! THE GAS GAUGE WILL ALSO READ WRONG AND MY TEMP GAUGE JUST PLAIN DOESN'T WORK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. GM SAYS IT'…
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THE SPEEDOMETER OF MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA GOES OUT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL START CLIMBING EVEN THOUGH MY SPEED HAS NOT CHANGED. I MAY BE GOING 40 MPH BUT THE SPEEDOMETER READS 120 MPH! THE GAS GAUGE WILL ALSO READ WRONG AND MY TEMP GAUGE JUST PLAIN DOESN'T WORK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. GM SAYS IT'S NOT A RECALL ISSUE. IT CAN BE CORRECTED FOR AWHILE IF WE DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY, BUT THE FIX IS SHORT LIVED. WE HAVE NOT YET HAD IT REPAIRED, THE COST IS OVER $400. WE PLAN ON HAVING IT FIXED SOON. I CONSTANTLY FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS. I FEEL GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. *TR
MY CAR WON'T START. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT SOMETIMES FLASHES OR REMAINS STEADY, IN EITHER EVENT, MY CAR WON'T START. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2 TIMES A DAY. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS MOMENTS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. NOW, I CAN'T CONTINUE WITH MY WORK DAY BECAUSE IT WON'T START. I HAVE HAD TO MISS WORK AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTAN…
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MY CAR WON'T START. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT SOMETIMES FLASHES OR REMAINS STEADY, IN EITHER EVENT, MY CAR WON'T START. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2 TIMES A DAY. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS MOMENTS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. NOW, I CAN'T CONTINUE WITH MY WORK DAY BECAUSE IT WON'T START. I HAVE HAD TO MISS WORK AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF OTHER CHEVY OWNERS HAVE HAD OR ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE MANY MANY OTHERS WHO SHARED THERE EXPERIENCES ON TOPIX.COM AND CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. I THINK THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. WHAT IF IT WAS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION???? IN ADDITION, WINTER IS FAST APPROACHING, AND ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE STRANDED OUTSIDE IN BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES??? *TR
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.