Illustration2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE FAILURE. ALL GAUGES HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THEY EITHER REGISTER INCORRECT INFORMATION, (SPEED, FUEL, ENGINE TEMPERATURE) OR DO NOT WORK AT ALL. HTTP://WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM/SAFETYSTATION.ASP LISTS OVER 100 ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THIS MODEL CAR. *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 reportsTHREE TIME IN THE LAST 30 DAYS MY 2004 IMPALA FAILED TO START BECAUSE OF SECURITY SYSTEM PROBLEM,I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MECHANIC ,THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR.. IT IS SAID TO BE ONE OF THE MODULES IN THE SYSTEM, I SEE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND G M DOES NOTHING. WHEN WILL SOMEONE PRESSURE THEM INTO RECA…
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THREE TIME IN THE LAST 30 DAYS MY 2004 IMPALA FAILED TO START BECAUSE OF SECURITY SYSTEM PROBLEM,I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MECHANIC ,THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR.. IT IS SAID TO BE ONE OF THE MODULES IN THE SYSTEM, I SEE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND G M DOES NOTHING. WHEN WILL SOMEONE PRESSURE THEM INTO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
SPEEDOMETER FAILED AFTER APPROX. 60,000 MILES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. IT IS INACCURATE AND INCONSISTENT, OFTEN READING 30-60 MPH WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND OFTEN READING OVER 90 MPH WHEN DRIVING BELOW 40 MPH. AT TIMES, THE NEEDLE JUMPS ERRATICALLY AND GETS STUCK OUTSIDE THE NORMAL RANGE, SUCH AS POINTING TO A GEA…
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SPEEDOMETER FAILED AFTER APPROX. 60,000 MILES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS. IT IS INACCURATE AND INCONSISTENT, OFTEN READING 30-60 MPH WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND OFTEN READING OVER 90 MPH WHEN DRIVING BELOW 40 MPH. AT TIMES, THE NEEDLE JUMPS ERRATICALLY AND GETS STUCK OUTSIDE THE NORMAL RANGE, SUCH AS POINTING TO A GEAR INDICATOR ON THE DISPLAY RATHER THAN TO A SPEED ON THE DIAL. *TR
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS HAS GOTTEN STUCK. I WOULD SAY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED CLOSE TO A DOZEN TIMES NOW SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS STATEMENTS FROM ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND I HAVE TALKED TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSH…
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS HAS GOTTEN STUCK. I WOULD SAY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED CLOSE TO A DOZEN TIMES NOW SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS STATEMENTS FROM ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND I HAVE TALKED TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS AS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN A CAUSE FOR A RECALL, AS A SPEEDOMETER SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY IMPORTANT PIECE OF VEHICLE EQUIPMENT. ITS ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATING SINCE IT WILL COST ME $400 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIPS THAT ONCE THE SPEEDOMETER GOES, EVENTUALLY THE REST OF THE CLUSTER WILL START TO FAIL. I AM STATING IN THE INCIDENT DATE PORTION THE LAST DATE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. *TR
AUTOMOBILE QUIT RUNNING WHILE ON HIGHWAY AND FAILED TO RESTART. THIS SITUATION, I FEEL, PUT MINE AND MY WIFE'S LIVES IN DANGER. RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THIS SITUATION IS COMMON IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM OVERRIDES OPERATORS ATTEMPTS TO START CAR. CALLS TO GM AND GM REPRESENTATIVES PRODUCED NEGATIVE REACTION …
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AUTOMOBILE QUIT RUNNING WHILE ON HIGHWAY AND FAILED TO RESTART. THIS SITUATION, I FEEL, PUT MINE AND MY WIFE'S LIVES IN DANGER. RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THIS SITUATION IS COMMON IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM OVERRIDES OPERATORS ATTEMPTS TO START CAR. CALLS TO GM AND GM REPRESENTATIVES PRODUCED NEGATIVE REACTION TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. *TR
2004 IMPALA POLICE PACKAGE. INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE. AFTER 15-20 MINUTES DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER DROP BACK TO ABOUT 15 AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WITH SEVERAL STOP IT STAY BELOW 0 AND NEVER MOVE AGAIN. GM SHOULD REPLACE ALL DEFECTED INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR IMPALA LIKE THEY DO TO OTHER MODELS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS NO LONGER BLINK WHEN TURNED ON. THE BULBS LIGHT UP BUT DO NOT BLINK ON AND OFF. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA'S TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. IT MOVES VERY SLOWLY IN THE MORNINGS. IT MOVES VERY SLOWLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. IT WILL NOT PULL HILLS AT A SLOW SPEED BUT ON THE INTERSTATE AT 50-55MPH IT WILL ONLY SLOW DOWN JUST A LITTLE. IT BASICALLY WILL NOT GO OVER 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE TO STAY IN THE SLOW LANE. …
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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA'S TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. IT MOVES VERY SLOWLY IN THE MORNINGS. IT MOVES VERY SLOWLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. IT WILL NOT PULL HILLS AT A SLOW SPEED BUT ON THE INTERSTATE AT 50-55MPH IT WILL ONLY SLOW DOWN JUST A LITTLE. IT BASICALLY WILL NOT GO OVER 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE TO STAY IN THE SLOW LANE. PLUS, THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT WORK SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME I AM GOING 50-55 MILES PER HOUR BY JUDGING THE SPEED PATTERN OF THE OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS MEANS NO TEMPERATURE GAUGE, NO SPEEDOMETER, AND NO FUEL GAUGE. I CHECK FLUID LEVELS EVERY WEEK. I FILL UP MY TANK EVERY SATURDAY AND WEDNESDAY. I AM STUCK AND SICK OF THIS BECAUSE I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET TWO THINGS FIXED THAT SHOULD ONLY STOP WORKING ON OLD CARS. THIS CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPED ROTORS, WHICH I HAD REPLACED. THEN A WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING BEING BAD. I HAD LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING REPLACED AND PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. TURNED OUT IT WAS RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING THAT WAS BAD…
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPED ROTORS, WHICH I HAD REPLACED. THEN A WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING BEING BAD. I HAD LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING REPLACED AND PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. TURNED OUT IT WAS RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING THAT WAS BAD, SO BOTH ENDED UP REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS LATER "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM" LIGHT STARTED COMING ON EVERY DAY AND SHUTS OFF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING FROM HIGH BEAMS TO DIM. SOMETIMES IT TAKES TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WILL GO FROM HIGH BEAMS TO DIM. I'VE NEVER HAD THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH CHEVROLET'S BEFORE. I'VE HAD CHEVROLET'S WITH 150,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS, OR HAD ABS PROBLEMS BEFORE, JUST NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *TR
OUR SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING PROPERLY APPROX 4/1/07. CONTACTED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THERE WAS NOT. SPEEDOMETER IS JUST STUCK AND POINTS TO THE GEAR INDICATOR IN THE DASH. UPON RESEARCH, MANY GM '04 HAVE THIS DEFECT. MY HUSBAND MANAGES A RETAIL FOOD COMPANY AND HIS FLEET IS SUPPLIED WITH GMC TOPKICKS. THE '04 TRUC…
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OUR SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING PROPERLY APPROX 4/1/07. CONTACTED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THERE WAS NOT. SPEEDOMETER IS JUST STUCK AND POINTS TO THE GEAR INDICATOR IN THE DASH. UPON RESEARCH, MANY GM '04 HAVE THIS DEFECT. MY HUSBAND MANAGES A RETAIL FOOD COMPANY AND HIS FLEET IS SUPPLIED WITH GMC TOPKICKS. THE '04 TRUCKS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMPANY HAD TO SOAK THE COST OF REPLACING ALL THE "CLUSTERS" DUE TO NO RECALL. I THINK A DEFECT WHICH AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF A DOT CERTIFIED DRIVER SHOULD BE RECALLED. *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.