IllustrationSPEEDOMETER STICKS OR SHOWS INACCURATE SPEED. DEALERSHIP SAYS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *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 reports2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. IT STARTED REGISTERING A HIGHER SPEED THAN THE SPEED I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING. IT SHOWED 90 MPH WHEN I WAS STOPPED. THE SPEEDOMETER THEN BEGAN TO CLIMB AS I DROVE A FEW CITY BLOCKS. IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE NEUTRAL LETTER. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND HE SAID THEY HAVE B…
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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. IT STARTED REGISTERING A HIGHER SPEED THAN THE SPEED I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING. IT SHOWED 90 MPH WHEN I WAS STOPPED. THE SPEEDOMETER THEN BEGAN TO CLIMB AS I DROVE A FEW CITY BLOCKS. IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE NEUTRAL LETTER. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND HE SAID THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT THE CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WOULD COST APPROX. $500 TO REPLACE IT. *TR
2004 CHEVY IMPALA MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE DRIVING TO FLORIDA AND THE SPEEDOMETER GOES OUT. NOW IF YOU ARE DRIVING FROM MICHIGAN TO FLORIDA AND HAVE NO IDEA AT MIDNIGHT HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING- THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. FROM LOOKING ON THE WEB THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. RECALL ON THIS WOULD B…
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2004 CHEVY IMPALA MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE DRIVING TO FLORIDA AND THE SPEEDOMETER GOES OUT. NOW IF YOU ARE DRIVING FROM MICHIGAN TO FLORIDA AND HAVE NO IDEA AT MIDNIGHT HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING- THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. FROM LOOKING ON THE WEB THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. RECALL ON THIS WOULD BE GREAT! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY GIVEN SPEED RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY GIVEN SPEED RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PREPARED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK! SHOWS THAT I AM GOING 130MPH, THEN 60 WHEN PARKED. DEALER SAY NO RECALL EVEN THOUGH MY HUSBANDS TRUCK HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY RECALLED THE PART IN THE SILVERADO. $500 TO FIX. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! I AM READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE IMPALA FOR THE SAME THING. MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER…
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SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK! SHOWS THAT I AM GOING 130MPH, THEN 60 WHEN PARKED. DEALER SAY NO RECALL EVEN THOUGH MY HUSBANDS TRUCK HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY RECALLED THE PART IN THE SILVERADO. $500 TO FIX. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! I AM READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE IMPALA FOR THE SAME THING. MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY EVERY DAY..VERY DANGEROUS!!! *TR
TRAVELING ON A DANGEROUS STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, MY SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. IT REGISTERED ME AS GOING 90 MILES PER HOUR. AFTER SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, AS CONDITIONS WERE ICY, I JUDGED A SAFE SPEED AND PULLED OVER AT THE NEXT SAFEST SPOT ON THE ROAD. MY SPEED GAUGE DID NOT RESET TO 0 MPH AS NORMAL, BUT STOPPED AT 50 MPH. NOW MY G…
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TRAVELING ON A DANGEROUS STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, MY SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. IT REGISTERED ME AS GOING 90 MILES PER HOUR. AFTER SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, AS CONDITIONS WERE ICY, I JUDGED A SAFE SPEED AND PULLED OVER AT THE NEXT SAFEST SPOT ON THE ROAD. MY SPEED GAUGE DID NOT RESET TO 0 MPH AS NORMAL, BUT STOPPED AT 50 MPH. NOW MY GAS GAUGE AND TEMP GAUGE MALFUNCTION AS WELL, LEAVING ME NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN MY VEHICLE. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I NOTICED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS TO THIS ISSUE. CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, I WAS INFORMED MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO FIX THE SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER HAS GONE HAYWIRE. SOMETIMES IT SAYS I AM DOING 0MPH AND AT OTHER TIMES IT SAYS I AM GOING 120 MPH. CAN NOT GET AN ACCURATE READ ON THE SPEEDOMETER. THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR MY FUEL GAUGE AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE READINGS. THE PANELS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
HAVE CHANGED ROTORS MULTIPLE TIMES, AFTER ABOUT A MONTH WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS 45MPH OR HIGHER, CAR SHAKES FROM PULSATING BRAKES. IN WET WEATHER MAKES THE CAR A LITTLE UNCONTROLLABLE DEALER SAYS OH ITS HOW IT IS, GM IS AWARE BUT THEY DON'T FEEL IT IS A REAL ISSUE. THIS AMONG THE INABILITY OF THE HEATING SYSTEM TO WORK FOR…
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HAVE CHANGED ROTORS MULTIPLE TIMES, AFTER ABOUT A MONTH WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS 45MPH OR HIGHER, CAR SHAKES FROM PULSATING BRAKES. IN WET WEATHER MAKES THE CAR A LITTLE UNCONTROLLABLE DEALER SAYS OH ITS HOW IT IS, GM IS AWARE BUT THEY DON'T FEEL IT IS A REAL ISSUE. THIS AMONG THE INABILITY OF THE HEATING SYSTEM TO WORK FOR MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE ITS COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED IS RIDICULOUS. I HAD BEEN A LOYAL GM CUSTOMER. SO SORRY WONT BE ANYMORE THIS IS INSANE TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR A VEHICLE AND IT HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE. *TR
I JUST HAD MY SECOND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (HEADLIGHT DIMMER, TURN SIGNAL, CRUISE, WIPER/WASHER) FAIL ON THIS CAR FOR THE SAME REASON RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AS SEEN BY NUMEROUS BULLETIN BOARD POSTINGS. I DISSECTED THE ORIGINAL SWITCH TO DETERMINE IF THIS COULD BE FIXED. IT BECAME…
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I JUST HAD MY SECOND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (HEADLIGHT DIMMER, TURN SIGNAL, CRUISE, WIPER/WASHER) FAIL ON THIS CAR FOR THE SAME REASON RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AS SEEN BY NUMEROUS BULLETIN BOARD POSTINGS. I DISSECTED THE ORIGINAL SWITCH TO DETERMINE IF THIS COULD BE FIXED. IT BECAME QUITE OBVIOUS WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE CONTACTS ON THE HI/LO BEAM PORTION OF THE SWITCH FOUL AND OVERHEAT. THIS SWITCH HAD MELTED PLASTIC FROM THE SWITCH HOUSING THAT HAD FLOWED OVER THE CONTACTS AND PREVENTED PROPER SWITCH OPERATION. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT MANIFESTS ITSELF WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. THIS OVERHEATING IS OBVIOUSLY DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING THAT HAS RESULTED IN UNDERSIZED CONTACTS THAT FOUL DUE TO RELATIVELY HIGH LOAD CURRENTS IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT. *TR
SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SUDDENLY CHANGED TO READ 50MPH WHEN NOT EVEN MOVING. THEN WHEN DRIVING IT READS MUCH HIGHER MPH THAN ACTUAL SPEED. WAS RESET BY TURNING IGNITION ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE THEN AND CAN BE RESET BUT NOT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU HAVE …
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SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SUDDENLY CHANGED TO READ 50MPH WHEN NOT EVEN MOVING. THEN WHEN DRIVING IT READS MUCH HIGHER MPH THAN ACTUAL SPEED. WAS RESET BY TURNING IGNITION ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE THEN AND CAN BE RESET BUT NOT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING WHEN IT HAPPENS TO MALFUNCTION. *TW
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.