DRIVING HOME, SUDDENLY THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND PASSED 60 MPH AND WAS INCREASING WHILE I STARTED ACCELERATING FROM COMPLETE STOP. IT REACHED 110 MILES TILL MY NEXT STOP, WAS STUCK AT 110 AGAIN AND GOING UP AGAIN WHEN I STARTED ACCELERATING TILL THE ARROW WAS POINTING SOUTH AND STOPPED MOVING. *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
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.
What owners actually said
1,072 reportsLAST YEAR AROUND THIS SAME TIME I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AROUND 4:30 AM ON I 85 NB IN ATLANTA, GA. GOING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT TOTALLY DARK. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL I GOT TO A STRETCH OF HIGHWAY THAT HAD NO LIGHTS. IT WAS VERY SCARY CAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IF ANY OF THE OTHER CARS COULD SEE ME. I GOT OFF THE HWY AT THE 1…
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LAST YEAR AROUND THIS SAME TIME I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AROUND 4:30 AM ON I 85 NB IN ATLANTA, GA. GOING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT TOTALLY DARK. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL I GOT TO A STRETCH OF HIGHWAY THAT HAD NO LIGHTS. IT WAS VERY SCARY CAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IF ANY OF THE OTHER CARS COULD SEE ME. I GOT OFF THE HWY AT THE 1ST EXIT AND WAITED UNTIL DAYLIGHT TO GO CONTINUE TO WORK. I WENT TO THE 1ST MECHANIC THAT OPENED AND THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING AGAIN SO THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. 1 YEAR LATER ON 2/12/08, MY 7YEAR OLD SON AND I WENT TO THE DRUG STORE TO GET HIS MEDICATION AND AS WE WERE DRIVING UP SR 139, I NOTICED THAT I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD!!! AGAIN, I'M ON A STRETCH OF ROAD WITH NO STREET LIGHTS AND THIS TIME I HAVE INTERIOR LIGHTS, BLINKERS AND PARKERS, BUT I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CUT THE CAR OFF HOPING TO RESET THE COMPUTER OR WHATEVER WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE HEADLIGHTS STILL DIDN'T COME ON. I WAITED APPROX 45 MINUTES AND STILL IN THE DARK. I WAS SOOO AFRAID BECAUSE I HAD MY SON WITH ME AND I HAD ABOUT 2.5 MILES TO GO BEFORE GETTING HOME. I TOOK MY CHANCES AND DROVE HOME TRYING TO BE AS CAREFUL AS POSSIBLE AS ONCOMING CARS FLASHED THEIR LIGHTS AT ME AND HONKED. MY SON WAS SCARED AND KEPT ASKING IF OTHER CARS WERE GOING TO HIT US OR IF THEY COULD SEE US. I TRIED TO STAY CALM FOR HIM, BUT TRUTHFULLY, I WAS SCARED STUPID. I'VE BEEN READING UP ON SIMILAR SITUATIONS LIKE THIS AND GM HAS GOT TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE FOR GM TO TAKE NOTICE??? I'VE OWNED A 99 GRAND AM, 00 OLDSMOBILE ALERO & NOW THE THE 04 IMPALA. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD MOVED UP AND BOUGHT A REALLY GOOD CAR THAT I LOVED NOT A DEATH MACHINE. MY NEXT CAR MIGHT HAVE TO BE A NISSAN OR A TOYOTA. MY GRANDMA & MOM ONLY BUY TOYOTAS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. BUT I'M TRYING TO KEEP MY FELLOW AMERICANS EMPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I'VE LOST MY JOB. *TR
COLLISION ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THEIR CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THEM AND KNOCKED THEM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS…
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COLLISION ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THEIR CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THEM AND KNOCKED THEM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BODY SHOP OWNER STATED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE WIRES TO THE AIRBAG HAD BEEN SLICED DURING THE ACCIDENT. FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, AND FENDERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. RADIATOR AND CONDENSER HAD TO BE REPLACED. BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SQUARED. ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. RECENTLY THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GETS STUCK AND NEVER GETS BACK TO 0. CHEVY HAS FAILED TO REALIZE THIS AS A RECALL AND INSTRUCTS ALL PARTIES TO PAY $500 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I WOULD BE HELPFUL IF AN AGENCY LIKE THIS ONE STEPS IN AND HAS CHEVROLET TAKE OWNERSHIP TO THIS VERY SERIOUS AND POSSIBLE LIFE THRE…
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. RECENTLY THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GETS STUCK AND NEVER GETS BACK TO 0. CHEVY HAS FAILED TO REALIZE THIS AS A RECALL AND INSTRUCTS ALL PARTIES TO PAY $500 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I WOULD BE HELPFUL IF AN AGENCY LIKE THIS ONE STEPS IN AND HAS CHEVROLET TAKE OWNERSHIP TO THIS VERY SERIOUS AND POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING HAZARD. *TR
THE TEMPERATURE WAS 10 BELOW ZERO AND MY HEATER BLOWER QUIT WORKING CAUSING ALL OF THE WINDOWS TO ICE UP ON THE INSIDE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME SAFELY. I CHECK THE FUSES, BUT COULD FIND NO BLOWN FUSES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY) AND, THANKFULLY IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER MY G.M. EXTENDED W…
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THE TEMPERATURE WAS 10 BELOW ZERO AND MY HEATER BLOWER QUIT WORKING CAUSING ALL OF THE WINDOWS TO ICE UP ON THE INSIDE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME SAFELY. I CHECK THE FUSES, BUT COULD FIND NO BLOWN FUSES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY) AND, THANKFULLY IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER MY G.M. EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME. I HAD 69,560 MILES ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. *TR
2004 CHEVY IMPALA INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 70 AND DRIVER WAS ONLY MOVING ABOUT 40 MPH. SPEEDOMETER READ 140 MPH AND CONSUMER WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST. *KB
HEAT NO LONGER WORKING. *TR
WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 IMPALA NEW IN MAY OF 2004. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS CRAZILY AND WE ALSO HAVE THE NOISE AND VIBRATION THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE STEERING SHAFT WILL COST AT LEAST $100 AND A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER $300. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE COST OF LABOR AND STATE SAL…
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WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 IMPALA NEW IN MAY OF 2004. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS CRAZILY AND WE ALSO HAVE THE NOISE AND VIBRATION THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE STEERING SHAFT WILL COST AT LEAST $100 AND A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER $300. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE COST OF LABOR AND STATE SALES TAX! THESE DEFECTS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED . I AM ALMOST FEARFUL TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR. AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, I CAN'T BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT IS FAILING THE AMERICAN CONSUMER TRYING TO BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS. NO WONDER THE FOREIGN CAR COMPANIES ARE EATING DETROIT'S LUNCH! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TEMPERATURE FOR THE ENGINE FAILED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
THE TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER AND THE TEMP GAGE ARE ALL OUT OF THE CAR STARTED IN THE WINTER OF THE YEAR THAT WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND SLOWLY ONE BY ONE EACH GAGE WENT OUT. *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.
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