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

Electrical System complaints

681 reports

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Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2014

Electrical System

WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN THIS HAPPENED 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES IT WOULD START THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY BROTHERS 2004 IMPALA. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FIXED IT WITH A NEW IGNITION SWITCH HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE SINCE THEN. THE PART COST $195.95 AND THE LA…

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NHTSA ODI #10568702

87,324 miles · Feb 23, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

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MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK ON THIS CAR FOR THE PAST MONTH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY MY CAR COMPLETELY POWERS OFF IF I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD. AFTER TAKING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME IT SAYS WE NEED TWO 02 SENSORS REPLACED AND A NEW MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. ONCE WE TURNED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND BURST INTO FLAMES WE PULLED THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT GAS LEAKED OUT AND MADE A HUGE FIRE. THE CAR TRIED TO START UP AND WE DID NOT HAVE THE KEYS IN THE CAR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT MY CAR BATTERY OUT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT GO OUT. FORTUNATELY MY FIANCE' AND I MADE IT OUT OF THE CAR ALIVE. WITH ALL OF THE MONEY I HAVE BEEN PUTTING INTO THIS CAR TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT CATCHES ON FIRE THIS MAKES ME NOT WANT TO EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY CAR IN MY LIFE AND I AM ONLY 22 YEARS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565517

200,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineVisibility/wiper

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ENGINE HESITATES,STALLS, AND SHIFTS HARD. HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER, HEAT SENSOR, FUEL CAP, REPROGRAM ANTITHEFT, WATER PUMP, ALWAYS GETTING BUBBLES IN TIRES, GAUGES DNT WORK, PUDDLE ON PASS SIDE, HEATER CORE, 2 SETS OF WARPED ROTORS, TRACTION CONTROL(ABS) KEEPS GOING OFF, FOUND WIRES UNDER HOOD CHAFFED( BY RUBBING ON BELT I BELIEVE)WHICH CAUSED NO START. NEW PROBLEMS ARE LIGHTS ON DASH AND HEAD LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE A COOLANT LEAK WHICH I THINK ITS DUE TO BLOWN GASKET, AND TONIGHT I AM DRIVING IN FOG AND MY FRONT WINDOW FOGS UP IN 2 SECONDS. I WIPED W HAND AND REALIZED I WAS HEADING TOWARDS A PERSON WALKN. WAY TO DANGEROUS!!!!! I HAVE HAD CAR FOR ONLY 2 YRS. I AM DIVORCED W 3 KIDS AND 1 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD W LOTS OF APPTS. I NEED A RELIABLE CAR, CANT AFFORD NEW CAR OR A SHOP TO FIX CAR. I HAVE HAD TO BECOME A MECHANIC CAUSE OF THIS CAR AND I HAVE NO TIME FOR THAT, THANK GOD FOR INTERNET, I WNT TAKE KIDS IN CAR AFTER DARK, IT UNRELIABLE AND THATS SAD. PLEASE LOOK INTO ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560740

70,000 miles · Dec 20, 2013

Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

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WELL I'M SO TIRED OF REPAIRING THE SAME PROBLEM .THIS ABS ISSUES ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY I MEAN I ALREADY REPLACED THE [XXX] COMPUTER THE BEARINGS THE CABLE THAT SENDS THE SIGNAL AND STILL THIS PROBLEM IS GOING ON IN SINCE 2009. EVER SINCE 2009 IS RIDICULOUS AND DANGEROUS I MEAN IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ISSUE BECOMES AN ACCIDENT I MEAN I'M DRIVING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE [XXX] CAR ACTS ALL STUPID THE BRAKES DON'T EVEN WORK FINE BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM MAKES THEM PUSH BACK TO YOU AND THEN IT MAKES YOUR CAR PULL TO THE RIGHT FOR NO REASON IT SO ANNOYING I'M A HARD WORKING PERSON I HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY INTO MY CAR FOR GMC TO SELL ME A DANGEROUS CAR I ALSO HAD TO GET ANOTHER MOTOR BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL WOULD SHAKE WHEN EVER YOU WOULD ACCELERATE BUT I JUST WANT TO GET THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE FIXED PLEASE MAKE THEM REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE SOONER OR LATER MY WIFE OR ME ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT....THANK YOU *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556881

36,347 miles · Dec 12, 2013

Electrical System

THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER OR TACHOMETER IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555780

132,617 miles · Dec 6, 2013

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

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I BOUGHT CAR 2 YRS AGO AND DROVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS NO PROBLEMS THEN SAT FOR 6 MONTHS, I START DRIVING IT AND THIS IS ALL THE STUFF THAT WENT OUT AND STUFF STILL GOING ON. RADIATOR TEMP SENSOR, WATER PUMP, HEATER, WATER PUMP BEARING, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, LOW COOLANT SENSOR, RADIATOR, VSS, KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, LOCK CYLINDER, 8 WIRES UNDER HOOD SHREDDED IN HALF DUE TO RUBBING ON BELT, POWER LOCK WONT WORK ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR, CHIMES GO OFF WHEN KEY NOT IN IGNITION. MY PROBLEM NOW IS KEY LOCKED UP AGAIN FINALLY GOT IT TO TURN THEN ANTI THEFT SYSTEM COMES ON AND THE CAR WONT REPROGRAM CODES. MY CODE READER SAYS IT CANT READ FROM CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555140

80,000 miles · Nov 24, 2013

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

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HAVE HAD A INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER I HAVE DEALT WITH FOR ALONG TIME WHY? THE CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING SECURITY SYSTEM, WAIT TEN MINUTES AND HOPE IT STARTS, COME ON AMERICAN MADE G.M. STAND UP TO YOUR OWNINGS. NOW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IS LEAKING, HAVE HEARD OF NUMEROUS AFTER MARKET RECALLS NOT G.M. RELATED PARTS ONCE AGAIN OWN UP TO YOUR PRODUCT,ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CONCERNS LIFE AND DEATH OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, FOR WHAT MONEY? PROFIT? SOMEBODY WITH SOME POWER OVER THESE ISSUES DO SOMETHING PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553589

40,000 miles · Nov 12, 2013

Electrical System

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AS I AM DRIVING MY CAR TODAY IN A 25 MPH ZONE, I REALIZE THAT MY SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS THE SPEED OF 105. AFTER READING THROUGH SEVERAL FORUMS TODAY I AM SHOCKED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON A 2004 IMPALA. MY CAR HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NOW I HAVE TO PAY AROUND $600 TO HAVE SOMETHING FIXED THAT CLEARLY SHOULD BE A RECALL. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS/PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME PARTS JUSTIFIES A RECALL? COME ON GM, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551980

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2013

Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT OF CONTROL. IT WILL TELL ME I'M EITHER GOING WAY FASTER THAN I AM OR IT WILL TELL ME I'M GOING WAY SLOWER THAN I AM. IT WILL RESET ITSELF IF THE CAR IS OFF FOR TWENTY MINUTES OR SO BUT IT WILL JUST HAPPEN AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS OR HOURS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN A CAR WHERE I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOI…

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NHTSA ODI #10551617

13,633 miles · Nov 1, 2013

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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(1) HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. NO HEAT, COOLANT WAS OK. FAN WAS RUNNING. DEALER EXAMINED. THREE ACTUATORS IN THE ELECTRONICS ARE FAILED AND HAVE TO REPLACE AT A COST OF OVER $550.00 (2) TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED MOVING. DEALER EXAMINED. ESTIMATED COST OF $~400.00 TO REPLACE IPC UNIT. THERE IS ONE OF THE RECALLED IPC UNITS FOR GM AUTOS MADE BETWEEN 2003-2007; BUT IMPALA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST. I DON'T KNOW WHY? SAME ELECTRONICS FAILED IN ONE UNIT MUST BE RECALLED FROM ALL THE UNITS.. THESE DEFECTS COULD INCREASE HEAT IN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND COULD INCREASE FUEL CONSUMPTION, FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE FIRE, CONTACTED GM BUT THEY WERE NOT COOPERATIVE AND DENIED ANY CLAIMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550500

Official recalls

15V701000 · 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

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

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.