Illustration2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES CORROSION. CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE CORRESPONDENCE LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH THE FLOOR BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. *JS
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 WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND TURNED ON MY BRIGHTS AND SHORTLY AFTER MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAD TO MESS WITH THE SWITCH BEFORE THEY WOULD COME BACK ON. THEY KEPT DOING THIS UNTIL I SWITCHED BACK TO DIMS. *TR
AFTER SITTING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, UPON DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, CHECKED ALL THE RELAYS AND FUSES. STILL NOT WORKING. HIGH BEAMS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORK. THIS BASICALLY RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE, AS IT GETS DARK AT 4:30 IN THE WINTER, AND I AM NOT …
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AFTER SITTING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, UPON DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, CHECKED ALL THE RELAYS AND FUSES. STILL NOT WORKING. HIGH BEAMS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORK. THIS BASICALLY RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE, AS IT GETS DARK AT 4:30 IN THE WINTER, AND I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. *TR
I'VE OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS. EVERY YEAR OR SO MY ABS, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM, AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS USUALLY DURING A NON-EVENT SITUATION. I PUT MY BRAKES ON AND THEY LOCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL MY LIGHTS ARE ON. I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY CONSTANTLY FIXING THIS PROBLEM. EVERYONE ELSE WITH AN IMPALA…
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I'VE OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS. EVERY YEAR OR SO MY ABS, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM, AND TRACK OFF LIGHTS USUALLY DURING A NON-EVENT SITUATION. I PUT MY BRAKES ON AND THEY LOCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL MY LIGHTS ARE ON. I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY CONSTANTLY FIXING THIS PROBLEM. EVERYONE ELSE WITH AN IMPALA SEEMS TO HAVE CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THIS AS WELL. I'M NOW BEING ASKED TO COMPLETELY CHANGE OUT MY ABS MODULE & CONTROLLER FOR A WHOPPING $3K ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 130K MILES AFTER ALREADY SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER THE YEARS FOR ABS/TRACTION ISSUES. THIS IS CLEARLY A PERSISTENT SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS COSTING IMPALA OWNERS AN ARM AND A LEG AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I'VE OWED MANY VEHICLES WITH MUCH HIGHER MILEAGE AND NEVER HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS BEFORE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAKED AND THE INTERIOR CABIN EMITTED A FOUL ODOR. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FUEL PRESSURE UNIT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAKED AND THE INTERIOR CABIN EMITTED A FOUL ODOR. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FUEL PRESSURE UNIT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PASS LOCK SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY.ALSO, THE ENGINE FAILEDTO TURN OVER AND START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TOOK UP TO AN HOUR TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY COMPLETELY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE ENGINE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PASS LOCK SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY.ALSO, THE ENGINE FAILEDTO TURN OVER AND START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TOOK UP TO AN HOUR TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY COMPLETELY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS THE SECURITY LIGHT IN MY CAR HAS COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES. IT WONT ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR FOR 10-15 MINUTES AND ALSO WILL RANDOMLY COME ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TALKED THE MY CHEVY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE COULD REPLACE THE BCM BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THI…
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FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS THE SECURITY LIGHT IN MY CAR HAS COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES. IT WONT ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR FOR 10-15 MINUTES AND ALSO WILL RANDOMLY COME ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TALKED THE MY CHEVY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE COULD REPLACE THE BCM BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE FOR THE IMPALA AND IT COULD BE MULTIPLE THINGS WITH THE TDM(THEFT DETERRENT MODULE) SYSTEM. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH CHEVY AS WELL AND WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NO PLAN FOR A RECALL ON THIS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS A NEW BCM PLUS INSTALL AND PROGRAMING WILL BE $750 BUT THEY WONT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE WHOLE TDM SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DIFFICULTY GETTING PARTS FOR ENGINE OIL LEAK ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL. *SMD
FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS I WILL GO TO START MY CAR AND IT WILL NOT CRANK OVER. BUT THE SECURITY LIGHT IN THE MESSAGE CENTER WILL BLINK CONSTANTLY. AT TIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING IT WILL BEGIN TO FLASH ALSO. IT TAKES ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES BEFORE MY VECHILE WILL START AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES.
LOUD KNOCKING NOISE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE DASHBOARD GAGES DONT WORK
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.