Illustration2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *TGW THE CONSUMER HAD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED IN MARCH 2007. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
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 reportsTL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND WOULD HAVE TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY AND WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED I…
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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND WOULD HAVE TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY AND WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS UNAVAILABLE. NE
YESTERDAY, OCTOBER 31, MY HUSBAND TOOK OUR 2004 CHEVY IMPALA IN TO GET THE KEYS REPAIRED DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. THE DEALER, [XXX] OF WOOD RIVER, REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SIX KEYS PURCHASED FROM CHEVROLET WITH THE CAR [WE ORDERED 4 ADDITIONAL KEYS FROM CHEVROLET WITH THE CAR]. IT WAS A FLAT REFUSAL TO REPAIR MORE…
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YESTERDAY, OCTOBER 31, MY HUSBAND TOOK OUR 2004 CHEVY IMPALA IN TO GET THE KEYS REPAIRED DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. THE DEALER, [XXX] OF WOOD RIVER, REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SIX KEYS PURCHASED FROM CHEVROLET WITH THE CAR [WE ORDERED 4 ADDITIONAL KEYS FROM CHEVROLET WITH THE CAR]. IT WAS A FLAT REFUSAL TO REPAIR MORE THAN TWO KEYS, NOT A "THERE IS A FEE FOR ADDITIONAL KEYS" THE DEALER SAID THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO DO THIS BY CHEVROLET. AS THESE KEYS WERE PURCHASED FROM CHEVY [AS OPPOSED TO BEING COPIES MADE ELSEWHERE] THEY SHOULD BE COVERED. THE RECALLS, NHTSA RECALL #14V400, GM RECALL #N140350 NOTICE SPECIFIES "ALL IGNITION KEYS" I HAVE WRITTEN CHEVY TO COMPLAIN AND ALSO NOTIFIED SENATORS [XXX] OF CHEVY'S ACTIONS. I THOUGH YOU SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT CHEVY IS NOT ACTUALLY FIXING THE PROBLEM AS ORDERED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT HAS GONE ON A NUMBER TIMES AND THEN WENT OFF AGAIN. NOW, WHEN IT GOES ON THE ABS LIGHT AND THE TRACTION OFF LIGHTS ALSO GO ON. THEY USUALLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THESE WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS GO ON. IF THEY ARE GOING TO GO ON, IT WILL GENERALLY BE ON START UP. TODAY ALL THREE LIGHTS WENT …
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SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT HAS GONE ON A NUMBER TIMES AND THEN WENT OFF AGAIN. NOW, WHEN IT GOES ON THE ABS LIGHT AND THE TRACTION OFF LIGHTS ALSO GO ON. THEY USUALLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THESE WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS GO ON. IF THEY ARE GOING TO GO ON, IT WILL GENERALLY BE ON START UP. TODAY ALL THREE LIGHTS WENT ON AT START UP, BUT THE SERVICE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS REMAINED ON. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, THEN BACK ON AND THE TWO LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH IMPALAS, YOU CAN SPEND A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE DEFECT WITHOUT SUCCESS. I'M WORRIED THAT OUR SAFETY MIGHT BE IN JEOPARDY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL #14350 REIMBURSEMENT. * LD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *JB
CHEVROLET. CONSUMER IS WRITING IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH.* LD THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED HER, THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, AT A COST OF $ 338.94. *JB
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS DIED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OCCASION, HE WENT THROUGH SOME CONSTRUCTIONS, KNOCKED THE SIDE MIRROR OFF, AND CRACKED A WINDOW. THE VEHICLE ALSO RECEIVED SCRATCHES AND DENTS. *JB
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND CAUSED HER TO HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE CAR WOULD RESTART. SINCE THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD THIS HAPPEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR SINCE. I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AFTER SHE HAS TOLD ME IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND HAD OUR MECHANIC L…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND CAUSED HER TO HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE CAR WOULD RESTART. SINCE THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD THIS HAPPEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR SINCE. I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AFTER SHE HAS TOLD ME IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND HAD OUR MECHANIC LOOK AT IT ALSO. ALSO HAVE HAD THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR 2 YEARS NOW AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY, WE THINK THERE IS A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PIN POINT IT. THE CHROME PLATE ALUMINUM ALLOY RIMS THE CHROME HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF SINCE THE CAR WAS 2 YEARS OLD AND WE NOW HAVE TO KEEP REFILLING THE TIRES WITH AIR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT GET A RUN AROUND THAT ITS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAVE TALKED TO A GENTLEMAN WHO ALSO HAS THE ONLY OTHER 2004 IMPALA SS IN OUR TOWN AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS WE HAVE HAD AND GOTTEN SAME RESPONSE FROM OUR LOCAL DEALER WHERE WE BOTH BOUGHT OUR CARS FROM. MY IMPALA SS AT THIS TIME HAS JUST OVER 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IN ADDITION TO PROBLEMS MENTIONED ABOVE WE HAD TO HAVE POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK IN PINION AND ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND LOOKING LIKE THE RACK IN PINION IS GOING OUT AGAIN AS I WRITE THIS. I'VE BECOME VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVROLET OVER THIS CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER TURNING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL MINUTES LATER AND THE SECURITY ALARM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE SENSOR LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. AFTER TURNING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL MINUTES LATER AND THE SECURITY ALARM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE SENSOR LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.