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 reports

72,388 miles · Feb 19, 2009

Electrical System

WHILE MY COMPLAINT MAY NOT BE 'SAFETY' RELATED, IT IS CERTAINLY AN ISSUE. I HAVE 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT IS SUFFERING FROM A COMMON AND KNOWN PASSLOCK PROBLEM. HOW CAN CHEVY BE ALLOWED TO PRODUCE FAULTY PRODUCTS? IF THIS IS GOING ON HOW DO I KNOW THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES ON MY CAR WILL WORK? I AM SO DISTURBED BY THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259372

90,000 miles · Feb 19, 2009

Electrical System

THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FIRST FLUCTUATE GREATLY EVERYTIME THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, THEN IT JUST STOPPED. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER DID THE SAME THING. THE SPEEDOMETER NOW STAYS STATIONARY BELOW 0 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259298

40,125 miles · Feb 17, 2009

Electrical System

MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME YOU PEOPLE SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO ME OR MY CHILDREN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259135

45,000 miles · Feb 15, 2009

Exterior Lighting

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I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS, SUCH AS THE ONES ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, ABOUT THIS ISSUE. 2004 CHEVY IMPALA... USING THE HIGH BEAMS, AND SUDDENLY ITS DARK OUT SIDE... THE LIGHTS JUST TURN OFF! YOU HAVE TO FLICKER THE HIGH BEAMS A FEW TIMES, AND THE NORMAL LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. MY LIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK AT LEAST 400 TIMES SO FAR! THIS IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED! EVERYONE WANTS AROUND $700 TO FIX THE ISSUE, I THINK CHEVY SHOULD STEP UP AND PAY THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258713

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2009

Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC. CANNOT TELL WHAT ACTUAL SPEED IS AT ANY TIME. ALSO GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. ALSO WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHERE'S GM WITH A RECALL TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS? THESE ARE ALL SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258639

38,978 miles · Feb 12, 2009

Electrical System

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MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD SOMEDAYS GO TO 60-120 UPON STARTING THE CAR SOMEDAYS OPERATED FINE. CALLED GMC DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED CAR TOOK IT IN AND HE SAID IT DEFINITELY WAS THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER SAID DEFINITELY NOT A SHORT BUT WOULD NOT PUT THAT IN WRITING UNTIL THEY REPLACE THE CLUSTER WITH A REDESIGNED ONE AND THAT WOULD BE 450.00EST. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE I JUST WOULD NOT KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING VERY FUNNY. HE ALSO ADMITTED TO ME THAT SOME OF THE TRUCK&SUV'S WERE ON RECALL BUT NOT MY 2004 IMPALA YET. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN READING MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS RE: THIS CLUSTER PROBLEM SINCE 2003 WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A PART THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL GMC CARS AND TRUCKS. IT APPEARS THERE IS ALSO A LEGAL SUIT PENDING REGARDING THIS PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258518

72,000 miles · Feb 12, 2009

Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP CUTTING OUT WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY WITH ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS INCLUDING THE DASH LIGHTS. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING AND JUST KEEP INCREASING UNTIL IT POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN. BOTH HAVE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258508

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2009

Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

MY 2004 IMPALA HAS PROBLEMS WITH IT'S LIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH. ONE HAS TO CLICK THE HANDLE TWICE IN ORDER TO DIM/BRIGHTEN THE LIGHTS. A COUPLE OF TIME THE DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ALL WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHEN I TRIED TO DIM/BRIGHTEN THE LIGHTS. THIS IS A HAZARD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258456

27,200 miles · Feb 11, 2009

Exterior LightingVisibility

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DRIVING ON A DARK RURAL ROAD AT NIGHT AND TRIED TO PUT MY LIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM. THE LIGHTS WENT TOTALLY OUT WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THEM ON HIGH BEAM. PREVIOUSLY DURING THE PAST 3 MONTHS THEY HAVE FLICKERED WHEN I WENT TO PUT THEM ON HIGH BEAM BUT DID NOT GO TOTALLY OUT. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL MORE TIMES TO PUT THEM ON HIGH BEAM AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT TOTALLY EACH TIME SO I DO NOT DARE TO TRY TO PUT THEM ON HIGH BEAM NOW AT ALL. I HAVE CALLED A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. THEY SAY THEY WILL HAVE TO TEST THE CAR FIRST THEN TAKE THE STEERING COLUMN APART AND PROBABLY REPLACE THE SWITCH. ESTIMATED COST UP TO $1000.00 MY CAR HAS ONLY 27,499 MILES ON IT AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2004. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258419

100,000 miles · Feb 11, 2009

Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER IS GIVING FALSE READINGS. GAUGE WILL NOT GO DOWN PAST 60MPH EVEN WHEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF. RECENTLY BOUGHT CAR USED FROM A FRIEND WHO ALSO COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE FREQUENTLY. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT BEEN PULLED OVER. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM DUE TO LACK OF MONEY FOR REPAIR…

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NHTSA ODI #10258416

Official recalls

15V701000 · 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

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

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.