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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

Fuel System, Other complaints

5 reports
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150,000 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Fuel System, Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER GAVE INCORRECT READINGS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TELL THE CURRENT FUEL LEVEL OR MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLUSTER STEPPER MOTOR HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER GAVE INCORRECT READINGS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TELL THE CURRENT FUEL LEVEL OR MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLUSTER STEPPER MOTOR HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,300.

NHTSA ODI #10493734

65,569 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CAR HAS DECIDED TO READ WHATEVER IT WANTS AND IT WILL STOP AT WHATEVER SPEED. NOW THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 65K MILES. HAVE FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS THE SAME STEPPERS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT WAS ON A RECALL FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAVE ALSO FOUN…

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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CAR HAS DECIDED TO READ WHATEVER IT WANTS AND IT WILL STOP AT WHATEVER SPEED. NOW THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 65K MILES. HAVE FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS THE SAME STEPPERS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT WAS ON A RECALL FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAVE ALSO FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SPEEDOMETER GOING HAYWIRE. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO NOT KNOWING HOW FAST OR SLOW YOU ARE GOING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA OR ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316359

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2008
Fuel System, Other

RUSTED MAIN FUEL LINE ON A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA CAUSING GAS TO POUR OUT OF VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235456

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2007
Fuel System, Other

MY SON'S 2004 IMPALA FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IS LEAKING FUEL. IT SEAMS TO BE COMING OUT OF THE TOP PART OF REGULATOR. THIS IS LOCATED ABOVE THE ENGINE AD IS A FIRE HAZARD WE HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS FORA YAER AND THE LEAK HAS GOTTEN BIG ENOUGH FOR US TO FIND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211291

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2007
Fuel System, OtherSteeringVisibility

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING, EVERY TURN YOU HEAR KNOCKING AND BUMPING, RECENTLY WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO REPLACED THE CAR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROPLEMS. MY AC WORKS HOWEVER ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HEATING UNIT WORKS. THE…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING, EVERY TURN YOU HEAR KNOCKING AND BUMPING, RECENTLY WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO REPLACED THE CAR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROPLEMS. MY AC WORKS HOWEVER ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HEATING UNIT WORKS. THE KNOCK SOUD OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE THE DEALER SHIP SAD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE KNOCK AND BUMPING FORTUNAELY THERE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND THEY WERE NOT INJURIED AT LEAST THEY ARE NO LONGER RESONSIBLE FOR THIS LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201783

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.