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2004 Chevrolet Impala

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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.

44 crash reports21 fire reports34 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

681 reports
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76,000 miles · Feb 13, 2008
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10217904

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2008
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10218295

55,000 miles · Feb 2, 2008
Electrical SystemSteering

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

NHTSA ODI #10216741

61,000 miles · Jan 31, 2008
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #10216621

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2008
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10216491

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 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

Official recalls

4

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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.