2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES CORROSION. CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE CORRESPONDENCE LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH THE FLOOR BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. *JS
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
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
19 reportsVEHICLE WILL ON OCCASION NOT START AND DISPLAYS A FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE. PROBLEM HAPPENED ON OCCASION OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, ALL WITH …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WILL ON OCCASION NOT START AND DISPLAYS A FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE. PROBLEM HAPPENED ON OCCASION OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, ALL WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. EACH TIME MET WITH THE SAME DEALER DENIAL AND LACK OF ABILITY TO REPRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS. THIS YEAR THE PROBLEM BECAME FREQUENT AND TURNS OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE PASSLOCK II SENSOR OR IGNITION SWITCH. FROM READING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED OR ACKNOWLEDGED BY GM. PAID $1500 FOR REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION SWITCH AND BCM AT LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS (1) DEFECTIVE FUEL CAP - LEAD TO FUEL EMISSIONS INTO ATMOSPHERE AND MALFUNCTION OF EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. (2) DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER - COULD HAVE LEAD TO EXCESSIVE SPEED, INAPPROPRIATE SPEED, AND/OR CRASH (3) DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM - CAN EITHER NOT ALLOW THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS (1) DEFECTIVE FUEL CAP - LEAD TO FUEL EMISSIONS INTO ATMOSPHERE AND MALFUNCTION OF EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. (2) DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER - COULD HAVE LEAD TO EXCESSIVE SPEED, INAPPROPRIATE SPEED, AND/OR CRASH (3) DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM - CAN EITHER NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START, OR CAN CAUSE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING AND THEN NOT START UPON OPERATOR COMMAND. COULD LEAD TO DEATH OR DISMEMBERMENT. *TR
I HAVE A CHEVY 2004 IMPALA IN WE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE WE GOT IT LAST YEAR ONE DAY THE CAR STARTED SHAKING IN IT CUT OFF WE GOT IT FIXED A COUPLE MONTHS LATER IT'S BACK DOING THE SAME THING IT DID AT I'M SICK IN TIRED OF SPENDING MY MONEY ON GETTING ALL THIS SELF FIX IN FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN I LOOK ON INTERNET IN KNOW A LO…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A CHEVY 2004 IMPALA IN WE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE WE GOT IT LAST YEAR ONE DAY THE CAR STARTED SHAKING IN IT CUT OFF WE GOT IT FIXED A COUPLE MONTHS LATER IT'S BACK DOING THE SAME THING IT DID AT I'M SICK IN TIRED OF SPENDING MY MONEY ON GETTING ALL THIS SELF FIX IN FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN I LOOK ON INTERNET IN KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I'M PRETTY SURE YOU SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS SO I THINK IT'S TIME FOR A RECALL 2000-2011 THESE CARS ARE MESSING UP BIG TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT FUMES EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT FUMES EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA, 3.4L, 134,000 MILES, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAK AT COLD (BELOW FREEZING) START UP. LEAK WAS BETWEEN THE UPPER AND LOWER STAMPED HOUSING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR CANISTER. LEAK WAS NOT AT THE REGULATOR TO FUEL RAIL SEAL, OR BETWEEN THE REGULATOR TO RETURN LINE SEAL. *TR
PASSLOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW MY CAR TO START,I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND SEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT A THOUSAND OR SO COMPLAINT'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.THIS CAR IS USELESS IF I CANNOT DEPEND ON IT TO START WHEN I NEED IT TO,ESPECIALLY IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION SINCE I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA OF UPSTATE NEW YORK THAT HAS NO CELL PHONE SERVICE …
Read full complaint
PASSLOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW MY CAR TO START,I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND SEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT A THOUSAND OR SO COMPLAINT'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.THIS CAR IS USELESS IF I CANNOT DEPEND ON IT TO START WHEN I NEED IT TO,ESPECIALLY IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION SINCE I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA OF UPSTATE NEW YORK THAT HAS NO CELL PHONE SERVICE IF GM KNOWS THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINT'S ABOUT A SPECIFIC SYSTEM THEY PLACE IN ONE OF THERE VEHICLES,AND ALL ARE IDENTICAL . THEN MAN -UP INSTITUTE A RECALL ON THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND RESTORE THE CONFIDENCE IN MANY OF THERE CUSTOMER'S. I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA 3.4 LTR. *TR
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…
Read full complaint
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
FUEL FILTER LINE DOES NOT STAY SECURELY ATTACHED TO FUEL FILTER. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED GETTING STUCK ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL I HEAR A NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, LIKE A KNOCK OR SOMETHING. ALSO WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS I HAVE ALSO SMELLED GAS WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR , MY HUSBAND COULD NOT SEE ANY LEAKAGE …
Read full complaint
THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED GETTING STUCK ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL I HEAR A NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, LIKE A KNOCK OR SOMETHING. ALSO WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS I HAVE ALSO SMELLED GAS WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR , MY HUSBAND COULD NOT SEE ANY LEAKAGE OR ANYTHING UNTIL LAST WEEK. IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL REGULATOR VALVE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SHIFT HARD SOMETIMES. I HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT ALL CHECKED OUT BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS ON ANY OF THESE THINGS. ALSO I CAN HEAR A WHISTLING SOUND WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. AND MY HUSBAND JUST INFORMED ME THAT HE BOUGHT A REGULATOR VALVE FOR IT AND SOME O RINGS BECAUSE SOMETHING IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE SLIGHTLY. CAN YOU HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!! *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.
Illustration