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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

36 reports

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34,000 miles · Jul 6, 2006

Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS VEHICLE HAD A HEAD GASKET REPAIRED UNDER STANDARD 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. WE ARE NOW TOLD WE HAVE ANOTHER HEAD GASKET OR HEAD PROBLEM AT 49,000 MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINE MANUFACTURER PROBLEM OR I GOT A LEMON ENGINE FROM CHEVROLET? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161630

16,215 miles · Jun 8, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE TURNED BROWN AND SLUDGED UP. LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND 16,200 MILES ON VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD SYSTEM FLUSHED, RESERVOIR REPLACED AND NEW COOLANT ADDED. I WILL TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR. MANY PEOPLE I'VE SPOKEN TO WITH GM VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH THIS COOLANT.

NHTSA ODI #10124599

1,857 miles · May 4, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

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ENGINE IS CONSUMING OVER A QUART OF OIL APPROX. EVERY 1800-2000 MILES. I WAS SHOWN A BULLETIN THAT SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH OIL CONSUMPTION AT THE DEALERSHIP. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TWICE TO THEM EACH TIME THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BUT TO CHECK IT EVERY DAY OR TWO AND KEEP TRACK THEN COME IN WITH MY NOTES TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY REGULAR GARAGE THE NEXT TIME THE OIL WAS LOW AND 4 MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT THE RATE OF OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NOT REGULAR AND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IF IT IS NOT MAKING IT PASSED 2000 MILES BEFORE IT LOSES OVER A QUART OF OIL.

NHTSA ODI #10119893

3,000 miles · Nov 1, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

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MY "LOW OIL LEVEL" LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 2000 MILES. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED, IT WAS A QUART LOW. I WAS TOLD THAT NEW VEHICLES SOMETIMES "ABSORB" OIL THE FIRST TIME. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 5000 MILES, THE OIL WAS OVER A QUART LOW. IT WAS IMPLIED THAT I WAS NOT RESETTING THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT PROPERLY. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AT 9000 MILES. AT THIS POINT I PAID FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS DONE. THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 10,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT, TOPPING OFF THE OIL SINCE IT WAS A QUART LOW AND I SHOULDN'T GO FOUR DAYS WITH THE OIL A QUART LOW. WHEN I RETURNED FOR THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT MY OIL LEVEL WAS ONLY 1/2 QUART LOW. THEY HAD FORGOTTEN THAT THEY TOPPED IT OFF. I HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND ANOTHER OIL CONSUMPTION (DYE TEST) WAS STARTED. I WAS SHOWN A NOTICE THAT WAS SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING DEFECTIVE GASKETS OR SEALS ON 2004 IMPALAS. TO DATE I HAVE HAD FOUR OIL CHANGES, ALL OF WHICH THE OIL LEVEL WAS OVER A QUART LOW. I WOULD THINK THAT THERE WAS ENOGH EVIDENCE TO WARRANT THE REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND WAIT 2000 MILES. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF OIL IS BEING CONSUMED IT HAS TO EFFECT OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE. THE OIL HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY EFFECT TO ANY OTHER PART OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10098125

3,634 miles · Aug 29, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE HAS STALL A TOTAL OF EIGHT TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS BUT NO CODES WERE FOUND DURING TESTING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10094567

2,110 miles · Jun 23, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

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ALL PROBS WITH 2004 IMPALA SS STARTED AFTER 3 MONTHS OF PUCHASE DATE. THERE WERE LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON CAR. 1ST INCIDENT - WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, CAR DIED 1/2 WAY THROUGH TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ENDED UP GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY MADE IT TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROAD W/ HARM. CAR WOULDNT START AT ALL. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. REPLACE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. 2ND INCIDENT - APPROX 3 WEEKS AFTER 1ST, I WAS STOPPED TO DROP PASSENGER OFF, CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND IDLE WAS HIGH, 2 SECONDS LATER CAR DIED. CAR RESTARTED THIS TIME, DRIVING HOME ABOUT 35MPH CAR DIED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, STEERING LOCKED AND HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET CAR OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART THIS TIME. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT AGAIN REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. 3RD INCIDENT - GOT THE CAR BACK ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THE CAR DIED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING BY SATURDAY NITE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT LOOKED A LITTLE FURTHER THAN CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR THIS TIME AND REPAIRED LOOSE PIN CONNECTIONS IN IGNITION COIL MODULE CONNECTOR. 4TH INCIDENT - 2 MONTHS AFTER ALL THIS, CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOESNT WORK, LIGHTS DIM WHEN POWER WINDOWS PUT UP, DASH BOARD SENSOR THAT GETS OFF WHEN LOW FUEL LIGHT/ LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ONDOES NOT RESET. CAR STILL FEELS SLUGGISH. LOUD SCRATCHING NOISEOCCURS WHEN WHEELS TURNED ALL THE WAY IN ONE DIRECTION. EVERYTHING FIXED B/C OF BLOWN FUSE. SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM LOOSE CLIP IN TIRE WHEEL WELL. DEEALERSHIP STATED CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND THERE WAS NO PERFORAMANCE PROBLEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. CAR PRESENTLY HAS 4500 MILES ON IT. OH AND CHEVROLET ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. AND THEN TO TOP EVERYTHING OFF THE DEALERSHIP MAKES IT SEEM LIKE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED BY THE DRIVER, BY ASKING WELL WHAT GAS DO YOU USE AND HOW FAST DO YOU DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS AN IMPALA SS. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO BE BUILT FOR PERFORMANCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10078711

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.