IllustrationSPEEDOMETER FAILED APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. *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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN THE EVENING, THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES FAILED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE DIMMER SWITCH ON AND OFF, WHICH ALLOWED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO REGAIN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN THE EVENING, THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES FAILED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE DIMMER SWITCH ON AND OFF, WHICH ALLOWED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO REGAIN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED THAT SAME DAY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,924 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,919. UPDATED 12/30/08 *CN UPDATED 12/30/08. *JB
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THINK I'M DRIVING THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT AND COME TO FIND OUT I AM NOT AND HAVE NOT BEEN FOR A YEAR OR SO NOW. NEW PROBLEM AS OF 11/08, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE TURNED ON FOR A SHORT TIME. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS AND GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS (SEE CARCOMPLA…
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SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THINK I'M DRIVING THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT AND COME TO FIND OUT I AM NOT AND HAVE NOT BEEN FOR A YEAR OR SO NOW. NEW PROBLEM AS OF 11/08, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE TURNED ON FOR A SHORT TIME. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS AND GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS (SEE CARCOMPLAINTS.COM RE: 2004 CHEVY IMPALA'S). I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, SO NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT. *TR
DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT FAILURES. FIRST THE RPM GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. THEN THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. ALL WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. *TR
BEGAN NOTICING CLICKING IN STEERING DURING TURNS. MY 2004 HAD APPROXIMATELY 21,000 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO TEST DROVE IT AND COMMENTED THAT CHEVROLET HAS HAD AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT. A FIX WOULD COST OVER $300. I WROTE SEVERAL LETTERS TO GM ASKING WHY I WAS ASKED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON …
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BEGAN NOTICING CLICKING IN STEERING DURING TURNS. MY 2004 HAD APPROXIMATELY 21,000 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO TEST DROVE IT AND COMMENTED THAT CHEVROLET HAS HAD AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT. A FIX WOULD COST OVER $300. I WROTE SEVERAL LETTERS TO GM ASKING WHY I WAS ASKED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON AN ITEM THEY SOLD KNOWING IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY EVENTUALLY OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. I HAD IT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT A COST OF AROUND $140. AFTER DESCRIBING IT TO FRIENDS WHO ALSO OWNED CHEVY'S (TRUCKS) THEY COMMENTED THAT THEIRS WAS DOING THE SAME THING. MADE US WONDER WHY A RECALL WASN'T ORDERED.. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 120 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 70 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 120 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 70 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO HIS VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,970.
I AM A SINGLE PARENT, MOTHER OF 2 BOYS WHO TRAVELS WITH ME EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY CAR, FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW IN MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THE SPEEDOMETER HAS NOT WORKED, WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED THE SPEEDOMETER READS 60 MPH AND WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE SPEEDOMETER HAD GONE PAST THE 120 MPH ALL THE WAY TO THE D FOR DRIVE. I AM SO UPSET I C…
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I AM A SINGLE PARENT, MOTHER OF 2 BOYS WHO TRAVELS WITH ME EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY CAR, FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW IN MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THE SPEEDOMETER HAS NOT WORKED, WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED THE SPEEDOMETER READS 60 MPH AND WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE SPEEDOMETER HAD GONE PAST THE 120 MPH ALL THE WAY TO THE D FOR DRIVE. I AM SO UPSET I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW CLUSTER BECAUSE FROM MY INTERNET SEARCH THAT SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM REALLY GOING SOMETIME I MIGHT BE GOING TO SLOW FOR THE PERSON BEHIND ME AND THEY MIGHT GET UPSET THINKING I AM DOING IT ON PURPOSE AN FOLLOW ME OUT OF ANGER WHO KNOWS AND IF I AM GOING TO FAST I MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT GOOD SOMEBODY HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, I AM SOOOOOOO UPSET. *TR
I HAVE NOTICED THAT FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 20 DEGREES, THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS FUNNY. THE SPEEDOMETER READS ANYWHERE FROM 25 TO 80 MILES FASTER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED; TODAY, I WASN'T GOING ANY MORE THAN 30MPH AT THE MOST, AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAS POINTING DIRECTLY DOWN TO THE CAR FLOOR. A F…
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I HAVE NOTICED THAT FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 20 DEGREES, THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS FUNNY. THE SPEEDOMETER READS ANYWHERE FROM 25 TO 80 MILES FASTER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED; TODAY, I WASN'T GOING ANY MORE THAN 30MPH AT THE MOST, AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAS POINTING DIRECTLY DOWN TO THE CAR FLOOR. A FEW PEOPLE ON A COUPLE OF MESSAGE BOARDS SUGGESTED TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO 'ACCESSORIES' ON AND OFF RAPIDLY SEVERAL TIMES, BUT ALL IT DID WAS BRING THE SPEEDOMETER DOWN FROM 85 TO 70. *TR
2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC,MAY SHOW 85MPH WHEN TRAVELING 50-55MPH,OR 40MPH WHEN TRAVELING 70MPH. WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS YOU CAN RE-ZERO THE SPEEDOMETER BY TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH ON AND OFF A NUMBER OF TIMES TO GET THE NEEDLE BACK TO ZERO, BECAUSE WITH POWER OFF THE NEEDLE IS USUALLY FROM 35-40MPH INDICATION TO BELOW…
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2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC,MAY SHOW 85MPH WHEN TRAVELING 50-55MPH,OR 40MPH WHEN TRAVELING 70MPH. WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS YOU CAN RE-ZERO THE SPEEDOMETER BY TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH ON AND OFF A NUMBER OF TIMES TO GET THE NEEDLE BACK TO ZERO, BECAUSE WITH POWER OFF THE NEEDLE IS USUALLY FROM 35-40MPH INDICATION TO BELOW ZERO INDICATION. COLD WEATHER SEEMS TO MAKE IT NOT WORK AT ALL UNTIL THE VEHICLE WARMS UP INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE A CASE FILE WITH CHEVROLET FOR MONETARY HELP,BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU! *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS A MALFUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER. IT WILL READ I AM GOING 140 MPH WHEN I AM ONLY GOING 20 MPH. SOMETIMES IT GOES THE OTHER WAY AND IT WILL READ 0 MPH WHEN I AM GOING 55 MPH. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT THAT NEEDS A RECALL. THIS COULD …
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS A MALFUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER. IT WILL READ I AM GOING 140 MPH WHEN I AM ONLY GOING 20 MPH. SOMETIMES IT GOES THE OTHER WAY AND IT WILL READ 0 MPH WHEN I AM GOING 55 MPH. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT THAT NEEDS A RECALL. THIS COULD BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH NOT KNOWING THE CORRECT SPEED IN WHICH YOU ARE TRAVELING. *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.