IllustrationIMPALA 2004, SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING. *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
Electrical System complaints
681 reports2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SPEEDOMETER WITH 60K MILEAGE COMPLETELY WENT OUT OF ORDER. IT COULD POINT AT ANY SPEED GAUGE IN DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD. THOUSANDS OF IMPALA OWNERS REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE WEB. GM SHOULD RECALL BEFORE ANYONE HAS ROAD ACCIDENT. *TR
SPEEDOMETER HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T, THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN WHEN I CANNOT TELL THE TRUE SPEED IN WHICH I AM DRIVING. *TR
MY TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY DON'T FUNCTION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEN SUDDENLY START WORKING AGAIN. RESTARTING THE CAR FIXES THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES, BUT ISN'T VERY HELPFUL WHEN YOU'RE ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING SOMEWHERE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT ON BUSY STREETS WHEN YOU CAN'T SIGNAL TO TURN OR MERG…
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MY TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY DON'T FUNCTION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEN SUDDENLY START WORKING AGAIN. RESTARTING THE CAR FIXES THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES, BUT ISN'T VERY HELPFUL WHEN YOU'RE ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING SOMEWHERE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT ON BUSY STREETS WHEN YOU CAN'T SIGNAL TO TURN OR MERGE. ALSO, THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE, BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT START AS OTHERS HAVE STATED' THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES THE CAR STARTED FINE. THIS HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE, BUT IF IT DID IT WOULD BE A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE.. *TR
SPEEDOMETER WAS SITTING ON ZERO, AFTER STOPPING IT STARTED MOVING, BUT WAS JERKY. THE SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. THIS DID NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE TACHOMETER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY EITHER SO UNABLE TO TELL WHAT MY SPEED IS IN THE CAR. *TR
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. FAILURE BEGAN WITH SPORADIC INACCURATE READINGS, FROM ZERO TO 120 MPH READINGS, REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL SPEED. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, IT STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER INSTALLED A PATH LOCK SYSTEM AND STATED THAT THE CPU MAY HAVE BEEN STOLEN. THREE DAYS AFTER THE PATH LOCK SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER INSTALLED A PATH LOCK SYSTEM AND STATED THAT THE CPU MAY HAVE BEEN STOLEN. THREE DAYS AFTER THE PATH LOCK SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AGAIN AND STATED THAT A BCM MAY NEED TO BE INSTALLED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA, IT STARTED WITH MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE NOT READING CORRECTLY, BLINKERS WORKING WHEN THEY WANTED TOO AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER ONE DAY JUST STOPPED AT 5 MPH. THE FINAL STRAW WAS THAT MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER I SHUT MY VEHICLE OFF AND TRY TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD N…
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I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA, IT STARTED WITH MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE NOT READING CORRECTLY, BLINKERS WORKING WHEN THEY WANTED TOO AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER ONE DAY JUST STOPPED AT 5 MPH. THE FINAL STRAW WAS THAT MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER I SHUT MY VEHICLE OFF AND TRY TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD NOT START. I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO START MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND I FINALLY HAD TO SPEND OVER $1200.00 DOLLARS TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED. NOT HAPPY WITH CHEVY. *TR
INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA FOR 3 YRS NOW. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. IN WINTER, THE SPEEDOMETER RARELY WORKS AT ALL AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE JUST GOES WHEREVER IT WANTS. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE, BUT NOT SAYING THAT I WON'T. …
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INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA FOR 3 YRS NOW. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. IN WINTER, THE SPEEDOMETER RARELY WORKS AT ALL AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE JUST GOES WHEREVER IT WANTS. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE, BUT NOT SAYING THAT I WON'T. I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
2004 IMPALA, SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO,AT TIMES REGISTERS 0 AND AT OTHER TIMES THE NEEDLE BURIES ITSELF, WOULD BE ABLE TO CLICK BACK TO 0 BY TURNING THE IGNITION ON AND OFF UNTIL IT WENT BACK TO 0 BUT WORKED ERRATICALLY,FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER, TEMP GAUGE SAME WAY. ONLY WAY TO FIX PROBLEM WAS TO HAVE…
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2004 IMPALA, SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO,AT TIMES REGISTERS 0 AND AT OTHER TIMES THE NEEDLE BURIES ITSELF, WOULD BE ABLE TO CLICK BACK TO 0 BY TURNING THE IGNITION ON AND OFF UNTIL IT WENT BACK TO 0 BUT WORKED ERRATICALLY,FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER, TEMP GAUGE SAME WAY. ONLY WAY TO FIX PROBLEM WAS TO HAVE EACH AND EVERY GAUGE REBUILT AND NOT REPLACED WITH GM PART AS THE PART THEY REPLACE IT WITH IS THE SAME '!@#$% ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, RESEARCHED THIS ON LINE AND FOUND 1000'S OF OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM, THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS WHEN THE TEMP GAUGE BURIES ITSELF YOU DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHAT IS GOING ON, IF ITS FOR REAL OR ???? *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.