IllustrationNO EVENTS LEADING, SPEEDOMETER AND TEMP GAGE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE AT ALL TIMES, CANNOT KNOW WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELING AT. I'M WAITING FOR A RECALL AS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE MANUFACTURER - CHEVROLET. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT TO KNOW YOUR SPEED ACCURATELY. *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 reportsHIGH BEAM LIGHTS ARE DISABLED AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF USE. *TR
2004 CHEVY IMPALA - ABS LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT HAVE INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON AND OFF, THEN THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, NOW THE TACHOMETER GOES HAYWIRE AND IS STUCK OVER THE MAX. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. *TR
SPEEDOMETER FAILURE, GIVES ME FALSE READINGS, GM SAID I HAD T OPAY $600 TO FIX IT, CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES, MANY OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, WE ALL CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS FAULTY FROM THE FACTORY, GM SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE TO FIX. *TR
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE SPEEDOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT SHOW THE CORRECT SPEED. THE NEEDLE WOULD POINT DIRECTLY DOWN (NOT AT 0) AND THEN MOVE COUNTER CLOCKWISE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. *TR
INTERMITTENT SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION ON A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE HAS A 2003 COSCO CHILD SAFETY SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22-100 FSM (NA). THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 24, 2005. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, HER DAUGHTER WAS SEATED FORWARD FACING IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND BEGAN CRYING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE HAS A 2003 COSCO CHILD SAFETY SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22-100 FSM (NA). THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 24, 2005. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, HER DAUGHTER WAS SEATED FORWARD FACING IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND BEGAN CRYING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE SEAT. SHE NOTICED THAT THE LATCH CONNECTOR SOMEHOW BECAME UNLATCHED, WENT THROUGH THE SEAT, AND PUNCTURED A HOLE SO DEEP INTO THE CHILD'S RIGHT THIGH THAT SHE HAD TO GET 15 STITCHES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. SHE STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT.
2004 CHEVY IMPALA WITH SEVERE VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WARPED. HE BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS ARE POOR QUALITY AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. *KB
THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. FIRST, IT WAS SHOWING YOUR SPEED AS 120MPH, WHEN YOU WERE STOPPED. IT WAS NEVER ACCURATE. THEN ONE DAY, IT JUST STAYED AT 0MPH, EVEN WHEN YOU WERE MOVING. I HAD IT FIXED THROUGH A GM DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FIXED THE CLUSTER. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE …
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THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. FIRST, IT WAS SHOWING YOUR SPEED AS 120MPH, WHEN YOU WERE STOPPED. IT WAS NEVER ACCURATE. THEN ONE DAY, IT JUST STAYED AT 0MPH, EVEN WHEN YOU WERE MOVING. I HAD IT FIXED THROUGH A GM DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FIXED THE CLUSTER. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR, AND SAME PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO REALIZE THE DANGER WITH THIS DEFECT. IT IS NOT A CHEAP FIX EITHER. I AM SAVING MY RECEIPT IN HOPES THAT GM WILL REALIZE THE HAZARDS WITH DRIVING A CAR THIS WAY. *TR
FOR TWO YEARS THE PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND THE VEHICLE WONT START. WE HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR 20 MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF. CHEVROLET DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WANTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. AT FIRST THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ONLY ONCE A MONTH.…
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FOR TWO YEARS THE PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND THE VEHICLE WONT START. WE HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR 20 MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF. CHEVROLET DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WANTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. AT FIRST THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ONLY ONCE A MONTH. NOW IT IS HAPPENING WEEKLY. PLEASE HELP.. *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.