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 reports
55,000 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Exterior Lighting
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA - THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE LIGHT SENSOR REPLACED AND THE BCM REPLACED. NEITHER OF THESE CORRECTED THE PROBLE…
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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA - THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE LIGHT SENSOR REPLACED AND THE BCM REPLACED. NEITHER OF THESE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. AFTER MANY DAYS AND HOURS OF RESEARCH, I THINK IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS MUST BECOME A RECALL AS THIS ENDANGERS MANY LIVES! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216454
55,100 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE IDLING, THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND INDICATED 30 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,560. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216397
57,500 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER IS GIVING FALSE READINGS, SUCH AS 120MPH WHEN TRAVELLING 60MPH, AND 0MPH WHEN TRAVELLING 30 MPH. IT WILL TEMPORARILY RESET, THEN FAIL AGAIN WHEN DRIVEN FOR 15 MINUTES OR MORE. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10216388
65,000 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Electrical System
LIKE MANY IMPALA OWNERS BEFORE ME, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON MY 2004 IMPALA HAS FAILED AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS AND 60,000 MILES. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE SPEEDOMETER AND THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR IF YOUR CAR IS GOING TO OVERHEAT. VEHICLE W…
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LIKE MANY IMPALA OWNERS BEFORE ME, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON MY 2004 IMPALA HAS FAILED AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS AND 60,000 MILES. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE SPEEDOMETER AND THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR IF YOUR CAR IS GOING TO OVERHEAT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A GM DEALER AND GMC WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO COVER THE COST. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10216362
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNALS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WITH SWITCH IN EITHER POSITION. HAZARDS WORK FINE. YOU HAVE TO OPERATE HAZARDS TO GET TURN SIGNALS TO WORK. WHEN TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216055
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2008
Electrical System
THE CLUSTER IN THE DASH HAD WENT OUT WHICH MAKES THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215800
60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2008
Electrical System
I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 CHEVY IMPALA IN APRIL OF 2004. IN NOVEMBER 2007, ONE MORNING I NOTICED THAT I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, THINKING "IT SURE DOESN'T FEEL THAT FAST." AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE I OBSERVED THE SPEEDOMETER DROP ONLY TO ABOUT 50 MPH. LATER THAT DAY I FOUND THAT THE O…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 CHEVY IMPALA IN APRIL OF 2004. IN NOVEMBER 2007, ONE MORNING I NOTICED THAT I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, THINKING "IT SURE DOESN'T FEEL THAT FAST." AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE I OBSERVED THE SPEEDOMETER DROP ONLY TO ABOUT 50 MPH. LATER THAT DAY I FOUND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE SPEEDOMETER BACK TO ZERO WAS TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES AS THE NEEDLE WOULD DROP ABOUT 10 MPH EACH TIME. ONCE AT ZERO THE SPEEDOMETER APPEARED TO READ CORRECTLY. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS THE PROBLEM CONTINUED THOUGH IT WAS REMARKABLY WORSE THE COLDER THE CAR WAS. BY NOW, JANUARY 08 THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED READING ACCURATELY ALTOGETHER AND HAS PARKED ITSELF AT THE 360 DEGREE MARK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN CHEVY AND CADILLAC TRUCKS BUT GM HAS BEEN SLOW TO ISSUE ANY SPECIAL POLICIES OR RECALLS REGARDING THE CARS. THE PARTS (SPECIFICALLY FAULTY STEPPER MOTORS MANUFACTURED BY DELPHI) BY ALL ACCOUNTS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESEARCH HOWEVER ARE THE SAME REGARDLESS OF MODEL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE PRIMARILY AS WELL AS A LEGAL LIABILITY. BESIDES THIS, THE ISSUE IS CERTAINLY A CUSTOMER RELATIONS NIGHTMARE. I ALONE HAVE VIEWED SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. CHEVROLET MUST ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY WITH A FULL REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AND COMPLETE WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215786
55,555 miles · Jan 16, 2008
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 55MPH WHILE CAR IS OFF. WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL READ 90MPH WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS SPORADICALLY. CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (RECALL IN OTHER WORDS). I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS (AT A COST OF OVER $500.00). …
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SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 55MPH WHILE CAR IS OFF. WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL READ 90MPH WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS SPORADICALLY. CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (RECALL IN OTHER WORDS). I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS (AT A COST OF OVER $500.00). MANY OTHER VEHICLES FROM THE SAME YEAR ARE COVERED. WE NEED TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THIS COMPANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215127
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2008
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER GONE CRAZY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215087
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2008
Electrical System
MY SPEEDOMETER AND MY TEMP GAUGE IN MY 2004 IMPALA (WITH 55,000 MILES)DO NOT WORK. I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE WORK LAST NIGHT AND MY CAR HAD A PROBLEM STARTING-MY SECURITY LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL I GOT HOME AND MY CLOCK RESET. I WENT TO MOVE MY VEHICLE TODAY AND IT WILL NOT START-IT WILL CLICK,BUT WILL NOT START. I HAVE REPLACED THE BAT…
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MY SPEEDOMETER AND MY TEMP GAUGE IN MY 2004 IMPALA (WITH 55,000 MILES)DO NOT WORK. I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE WORK LAST NIGHT AND MY CAR HAD A PROBLEM STARTING-MY SECURITY LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL I GOT HOME AND MY CLOCK RESET. I WENT TO MOVE MY VEHICLE TODAY AND IT WILL NOT START-IT WILL CLICK,BUT WILL NOT START. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND YET IT STILL IS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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