Illustration1. CAR WILL NOT START 2. UNPREDICTABLE, CAR WILL NOT START UN LESS YOU LEAVE THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MIS. 3. DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX. 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM CAUSING THE ISSUE. *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 reportsMY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE FUEL GAUGE WORKS SOME TIME. THIS CAR IS IN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION. KNOWING YOUR SPEED IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS GETTING IT FIXED IS NOT A PROBLEM JUST GIVE THEM HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. *TR
2004 CHEVORLET IMPALA TEMP GAUGE CEASED TO WORK AND STUCK IN IT'S HIGHEST POSITION. TACH GAUGE QUIT ALSO. REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WITH REBUILT UNIT. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 3.2 V6. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STAY ON 70MPH AT REST OR MORE THEN GO OVER A 120MPH WHEN TRAVELING. ONCE IN AWHILE IT MAY RESUME BACK TO NORMAL. IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN NOT LETTING YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT RATE OF SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. *TR
NOW AT 117,000 KMS. OR PAST MY FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. SINCE 88,000KMS. HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT TEMP GAUGE VERY OUT OF WHACK ON HIGHWAY TRIPS, LEAD ME TO BELIEVE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, BUT NO MESSAGE FROM CAR, JUST GAUGE GOING ALMOST 90 DEGREES PAST "DANGER POINT " OF GAUGE. IN LAST TWO YEARS TEMP GAUGE REPLACED THREE TIME…
Read full complaint
NOW AT 117,000 KMS. OR PAST MY FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. SINCE 88,000KMS. HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT TEMP GAUGE VERY OUT OF WHACK ON HIGHWAY TRIPS, LEAD ME TO BELIEVE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, BUT NO MESSAGE FROM CAR, JUST GAUGE GOING ALMOST 90 DEGREES PAST "DANGER POINT " OF GAUGE. IN LAST TWO YEARS TEMP GAUGE REPLACED THREE TIMES. OBVIOUSLY NOT THE PROBLEM. RETURNS TO NORMAL FUNCTION IN CITY OR SHORT HAUL DRIVING. STOP FREQUENTLY, AND UNDER HOOD CHECK SHOWS NO SIGNS OF OVERHEATING. CONCLUSION- ELECTRICAL, SENSOR, PROBLEM AND DEALER KEEPS COMING UP WITH COSTLY NEW EQUIPMENT FIXES WHICH DO NOT WORK. NOW THEY WANT TO BLAME A WATER PUMP LEAK AND GASKETS, ALTHOUGH RESERVOIR CAREFULLY WATCHED BY ME. NO LEAKS THERE. HAVE NEVER HAD TO ADD FLUID, ALTHOUGH I KEEP IT ALWAYS IN CAR-THAT IS THE DEXCOOL-WATER MIX. NEVER DOWN LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED, AND THE DEALER WANTS TO GIVE ME A NEW WATER PUMP AND TAKE 1000-1200 OUT OF MY POCKET. THEY HAVE NEVER MENTIONED THE TEMP SENSOR, OR ANY OTHER FIX. TRAVEL ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS 3 TIMES PER YEAR, GAUGE NOW GONE WAY OVER THE TOP 6-8 TIMES. ALWAYS STOP. NO SIGN EVER OF HOSE, RADIATOR, WATER, LOWERED RESERVOIR, OR COMPUTER MESSAGES AS PER MANUAL. HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL, THE 04 CHEVY IMPALA LS, ALWAYS GAUGES. IN MY CASE I WILL NOT APPROVE ANOTHER TEMP GAUGE "FIX" AND NOW SPEEDOMETER IS ACTING UP AS WELL, JUST LIKE OTHER DRIVERS REPORTED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. HE PREVIOUSLY HAD THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DELAMINATING AND THE CALIPERS WER…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. HE PREVIOUSLY HAD THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DELAMINATING AND THE CALIPERS WERE STUCK. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN OFTEN ENOUGH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2004 IMPALA LS 6CYL 3800 TACH QUIT WORKING, TEMP GAUGE QUIT WORKING, FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING OR WORKING SPORADICALLY. *TR
2004 CHEVY IMPALA WILL NOT START. RADIO AND WINDOWS WILL FUNCTION,BUT CAR WILL NOT START....THIS WILL LAST ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS OCCURS ABOUT EVERY 2 WEEKS. *TR
MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS AND ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR, OR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT . THE CAR WOULD STALL UP TO 3-4 TIMES PER DAY MOST OF THE TIME AND AS TIME WENT ON IT GOT WORSE. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE BATTERY, THE FUEL FILTER, THE IG…
Read full complaint
MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS AND ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR, OR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT . THE CAR WOULD STALL UP TO 3-4 TIMES PER DAY MOST OF THE TIME AND AS TIME WENT ON IT GOT WORSE. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE BATTERY, THE FUEL FILTER, THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND THE CAR STILL TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR STALLED A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM A RAILROAD CROSSING (SINCE SHE QUIT DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY), LUCKILY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON TRACKS, NO TRAIN WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. SHE HAD TO WAIT APPROX. 25 MINS FOR IT TO START AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T TURN ON, SO SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, WHEN HE ARRIVED APPROX. AN HOUR LATER, TRIED TO START IT BUT IT DIDN'T START EITHER. SO, WHEN ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TRIED STARTING IT AND BY THEN IT STARTED. THE SHOP MANAGER, WHOM I HAD RELATED THIS INCIDENT TO WAS AWARE OF THE SITUATION, SO HE THEN ASSIGNED A MECH TO STAND BY THE ANALYZER MONITOR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THEY KEPT THE ENGINE RUNNING UNTIL IT FINALLY DIED ON THEM AGAIN, WHILE THE MECH WAS STILL THERE, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG (DIDN'T ASK). AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME THE ANALYZER INDICATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE STALL. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS REPLACED AND IS NOW A MONTH LATER AND IT'S RUNNING JUST FINE. NOT A HINT OF STALLING NOR ANYTHING ELSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY FROM A CAR THAT TURNS OFF RANDOMLY DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR
ON SEVERAL 2003-2006 GM VEHICLES, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING (THE NEEDLE STOPS MOVING). THE FIX REQUIRES THAT THE ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER BE REPLACED FROM WITHIN THE DASH. THE SPEEDOMETER TYPICALLY FAILS SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE'S 36K-MILE WARRANTY EXPIRES. CARCOMPLAINTS.COM HAS A FORUM THREAD WITH 125+ POSTS: HTTP://WWW.…
Read full complaint
ON SEVERAL 2003-2006 GM VEHICLES, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING (THE NEEDLE STOPS MOVING). THE FIX REQUIRES THAT THE ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER BE REPLACED FROM WITHIN THE DASH. THE SPEEDOMETER TYPICALLY FAILS SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE'S 36K-MILE WARRANTY EXPIRES. CARCOMPLAINTS.COM HAS A FORUM THREAD WITH 125+ POSTS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/IMPALA/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SPEEDOMETER_GONE_HAYWIRE.SHTML THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER WEBSITES WITH FORUMS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE... *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.