NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
36 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 14, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
ROCKER ARM BOLTS CAME OUT OF HEAD DISABLING CYLINDER #1. CAUSING ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH AND COULD NOT EXCEED 15MPH. THREADS IN HEAD FAILED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 28, 2010 AFFECTING CYLINDERS #3 AND #5. NOW AGAIN THIS ISSUE AS OF MARCH 9, 2012 IN CYLINDER #2. IN EACH OCCURRENCE THREADS FROM HEAD WERE FOUND IN BOLT THREADS…
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ROCKER ARM BOLTS CAME OUT OF HEAD DISABLING CYLINDER #1. CAUSING ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH AND COULD NOT EXCEED 15MPH. THREADS IN HEAD FAILED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 28, 2010 AFFECTING CYLINDERS #3 AND #5. NOW AGAIN THIS ISSUE AS OF MARCH 9, 2012 IN CYLINDER #2. IN EACH OCCURRENCE THREADS FROM HEAD WERE FOUND IN BOLT THREADS. BOLTS WERE LOOSE DISABLING CYLINDER FROM WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND DUE TO CONCERN OF FURTHER DAMAGING ENGINE, CAR REQUIRES TOWING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS THE HEAD WAS MADE OF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451700
125,000 miles · Oct 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF IT WONT START UNLESS I TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LET IT SIT FOR 20 MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL START. TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS RARELY WORKS PROPERLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON I'VE MADE THE REPAIRS UNDER THE CODES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON THIS IS…
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SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF IT WONT START UNLESS I TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LET IT SIT FOR 20 MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL START. TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS RARELY WORKS PROPERLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON I'VE MADE THE REPAIRS UNDER THE CODES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON THIS IS DEALING WITH THE EMISSION TESTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428721
100,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
PASS LOCK SYSTEM "SECURITY" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. HAPPENS RANDOMLY. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10425418
125,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START AND THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10384277
88,000 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2004 IMPALA W/ 3.8L ENGINE STALLS WHEN DECELERATING, LEAVING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT AND UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT IT TAKES MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RE-START. I HAVE TRIED A FEW INEXPENSIVE THINGS SUCH AS PREMIUM GAS, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, AND A NEW FUEL FILTER.…
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2004 IMPALA W/ 3.8L ENGINE STALLS WHEN DECELERATING, LEAVING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT AND UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT IT TAKES MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RE-START. I HAVE TRIED A FEW INEXPENSIVE THINGS SUCH AS PREMIUM GAS, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, AND A NEW FUEL FILTER...NO AFFECT ON THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NO "ENGINE LIGHT" WHICH APPEARS. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I MAY BE FORCED TO SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD A CAR PAYMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380793
58,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
NOW AT 117,000 KMS. OR PAST MY FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. SINCE 88,000KMS. HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT TEMP GAUGE VERY OUT OF WHACK ON HIGHWAY TRIPS, LEAD ME TO BELIEVE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, BUT NO MESSAGE FROM CAR, JUST GAUGE GOING ALMOST 90 DEGREES PAST "DANGER POINT " OF GAUGE. IN LAST TWO YEARS TEMP GAUGE REPLACED THREE TIME…
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NOW AT 117,000 KMS. OR PAST MY FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. SINCE 88,000KMS. HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT TEMP GAUGE VERY OUT OF WHACK ON HIGHWAY TRIPS, LEAD ME TO BELIEVE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, BUT NO MESSAGE FROM CAR, JUST GAUGE GOING ALMOST 90 DEGREES PAST "DANGER POINT " OF GAUGE. IN LAST TWO YEARS TEMP GAUGE REPLACED THREE TIMES. OBVIOUSLY NOT THE PROBLEM. RETURNS TO NORMAL FUNCTION IN CITY OR SHORT HAUL DRIVING. STOP FREQUENTLY, AND UNDER HOOD CHECK SHOWS NO SIGNS OF OVERHEATING. CONCLUSION- ELECTRICAL, SENSOR, PROBLEM AND DEALER KEEPS COMING UP WITH COSTLY NEW EQUIPMENT FIXES WHICH DO NOT WORK. NOW THEY WANT TO BLAME A WATER PUMP LEAK AND GASKETS, ALTHOUGH RESERVOIR CAREFULLY WATCHED BY ME. NO LEAKS THERE. HAVE NEVER HAD TO ADD FLUID, ALTHOUGH I KEEP IT ALWAYS IN CAR-THAT IS THE DEXCOOL-WATER MIX. NEVER DOWN LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED, AND THE DEALER WANTS TO GIVE ME A NEW WATER PUMP AND TAKE 1000-1200 OUT OF MY POCKET. THEY HAVE NEVER MENTIONED THE TEMP SENSOR, OR ANY OTHER FIX. TRAVEL ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS 3 TIMES PER YEAR, GAUGE NOW GONE WAY OVER THE TOP 6-8 TIMES. ALWAYS STOP. NO SIGN EVER OF HOSE, RADIATOR, WATER, LOWERED RESERVOIR, OR COMPUTER MESSAGES AS PER MANUAL. HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL, THE 04 CHEVY IMPALA LS, ALWAYS GAUGES. IN MY CASE I WILL NOT APPROVE ANOTHER TEMP GAUGE "FIX" AND NOW SPEEDOMETER IS ACTING UP AS WELL, JUST LIKE OTHER DRIVERS REPORTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328778
82,000 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS AND ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR, OR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT . THE CAR WOULD STALL UP TO 3-4 TIMES PER DAY MOST OF THE TIME AND AS TIME WENT ON IT GOT WORSE. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE BATTERY, THE FUEL FILTER, THE IG…
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MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS AND ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR, OR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT . THE CAR WOULD STALL UP TO 3-4 TIMES PER DAY MOST OF THE TIME AND AS TIME WENT ON IT GOT WORSE. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE BATTERY, THE FUEL FILTER, THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND THE CAR STILL TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR STALLED A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM A RAILROAD CROSSING (SINCE SHE QUIT DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY), LUCKILY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON TRACKS, NO TRAIN WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. SHE HAD TO WAIT APPROX. 25 MINS FOR IT TO START AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T TURN ON, SO SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, WHEN HE ARRIVED APPROX. AN HOUR LATER, TRIED TO START IT BUT IT DIDN'T START EITHER. SO, WHEN ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TRIED STARTING IT AND BY THEN IT STARTED. THE SHOP MANAGER, WHOM I HAD RELATED THIS INCIDENT TO WAS AWARE OF THE SITUATION, SO HE THEN ASSIGNED A MECH TO STAND BY THE ANALYZER MONITOR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THEY KEPT THE ENGINE RUNNING UNTIL IT FINALLY DIED ON THEM AGAIN, WHILE THE MECH WAS STILL THERE, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG (DIDN'T ASK). AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME THE ANALYZER INDICATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE STALL. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS REPLACED AND IS NOW A MONTH LATER AND IT'S RUNNING JUST FINE. NOT A HINT OF STALLING NOR ANYTHING ELSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY FROM A CAR THAT TURNS OFF RANDOMLY DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327611
97,000 miles · Apr 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE WHILE THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE WHILE THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS 50 DEGREES. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE VCM UNIT AND CONNECTORS, WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA ODI #10325048
100,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WAS IN MY CAR DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RAISED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277149
26,651 miles · Jun 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAILURE OF LOWER INTAKE GASKETS ON 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273226
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗