Illustration2004 CHEV IMPALA SPEEDOMETER SAYS 22 MPH WHILE SITTING STILL - GOING SLOWER THAN WHAT SPEED SAYS I HAVE HAD ALOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THEIR IMPALA FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. STARTING PROBLEMS, FUEL TANK BAFFLES, FRONT END PROBLEMS, TEMP PROBLEMS, ANOTHER SENSOR PROBLEM. CAR HAS APPROX 60,000 ON IT. *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 reportsI HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. MY SPEEDOMETER HAS WENT CRAZY!! I CAN BE DOING 30 AND IT SAYS I AM DOING 105. ALSO WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT REGISTERS 25. THIS COULD CAUSE ANYWHERE FROM A MINOR SPEEDING TICKET TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. NO MORE GM PRODUCTS FOR ME!!! *TR
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT KEEP ACCURATE READING. GAUGE CAN READ 110 MPH WHEN ONLY GOING 60 MPH OR CAN READ 30 MPH WHEN DRIVING FASTER. NEEDLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RETURN TO ZERO WHEN STOPPED OR IDLING. ALSO RACES AT TIMES. HAPPENS DURING COLD AND HOT WEATHER. ALSO, THE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR GAUGE NEEDLE STICKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GA…
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SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT KEEP ACCURATE READING. GAUGE CAN READ 110 MPH WHEN ONLY GOING 60 MPH OR CAN READ 30 MPH WHEN DRIVING FASTER. NEEDLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RETURN TO ZERO WHEN STOPPED OR IDLING. ALSO RACES AT TIMES. HAPPENS DURING COLD AND HOT WEATHER. ALSO, THE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR GAUGE NEEDLE STICKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAUGE OR GOES IMMEDIATELY TO THE RED ZONE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE FROM A COLD START OR AFTER LEFT PARKED OVERNIGHT. *TR
FIRST THE TACHOMETER QUIT WORKING THEN THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC SAYING I WAS GOING SLOWER THAN I ACTUALLY WAS(CHECKED WITH GPS).I WAS DOING 60 ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT SPEEDOMETER SAID 45,TACHOMETER IS ALWAYS PEGGED OUT !! *TR
VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY QUITS FUNCTIONING. SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY SHOWS HIGH SPEED (EXAMPLE 120 MPH) WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SPEEDOMETER REMAINS STUCK IN THIS POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO CLEAR THE ERROR AFTER RETURNING HOME AND CYCLING THE IGNITION FROM OFF TO ON MANY MANY TIMES. NOW THE TACH JUST '!@#$% OUT AND STAYS AT 6:0…
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VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY QUITS FUNCTIONING. SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY SHOWS HIGH SPEED (EXAMPLE 120 MPH) WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SPEEDOMETER REMAINS STUCK IN THIS POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO CLEAR THE ERROR AFTER RETURNING HOME AND CYCLING THE IGNITION FROM OFF TO ON MANY MANY TIMES. NOW THE TACH JUST '!@#$% OUT AND STAYS AT 6:00. I BEEN ALSO HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES TO WHERE THE TRANNY WOULD OCCASIONALLY SHIFT HARD THEN BE FINE FOR A WHILE THEN BACK TO SHIFTING HARD? *TR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. *TR
HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR
JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NO SPECIFIC ROAD JUST NORMAL DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER EITHER GOES UP OR DOWN DOES NOT HAVE CORRECT SPEED SOMETIMES IT WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND SOMETIMES AFTER THIRTY MINUTES OR AFTER YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. IT HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A WEEK I HAVE NOT REP…
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JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NO SPECIFIC ROAD JUST NORMAL DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER EITHER GOES UP OR DOWN DOES NOT HAVE CORRECT SPEED SOMETIMES IT WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND SOMETIMES AFTER THIRTY MINUTES OR AFTER YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. IT HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A WEEK I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS AS OF YET TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS FOR SURE. I AM READING ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS THE GAUGES NEED TO BE REPLACE AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON CHEVY TRUCKS BUT MINE IS A 2004 IMPALA AND AS OF YET THERE IS NOT ONE AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE VERY ANGRY ONLINE REGARDING THIS MATTER AND WANT A RECALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE COST IS ABOUT 600 - 800 DOLLARS DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO SO THEY ARE USING GPS SYSTEMS FOR THERE SPEED INSTEAD OF GETTING IT REPAIRED SINCE THE COST IS SO HIGH. *TR
MY SPEEDOMETER IS OUT OF WHACK, ALSO THE TACH DOESN'T READ CORRECTLY. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. GOING AROUND CORNERS OR DRIVING IN A SCHOOL ZONE. SOMEDAYS IT WORKS FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND SOME DAYS NOT.. IT READS 90 MILES AN HOUR WHILE YOUR GOING SLOW. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEPPER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEPPER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,423. UPDATED 01/29/10 *BF UPDATED 01/29/10.*JB
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.