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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

Seat Belts complaints

4 reports
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107,442 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Seat Belts

WHEN USING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR ON FRIDAY, 11/13/2020, THE METAL BELT CLIP CLICKS INTO THE BUCKLE WITH AN AUDIBLE CLICK. THIS APPEARS TO BE SAFELY ENGAGED, YET IF I TUG ON THE BELT, THE CLIP POPS OUT OF THE BUCKLE. I TRIED THIS REPEATEDLY AND HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE EACH TIME. MY DAUGHTER TOL…

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WHEN USING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR ON FRIDAY, 11/13/2020, THE METAL BELT CLIP CLICKS INTO THE BUCKLE WITH AN AUDIBLE CLICK. THIS APPEARS TO BE SAFELY ENGAGED, YET IF I TUG ON THE BELT, THE CLIP POPS OUT OF THE BUCKLE. I TRIED THIS REPEATEDLY AND HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE EACH TIME. MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THIS HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. REALIZING THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, I CALLED THE GM DEALER FOR HELP. THEY TOLD ME THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO BE REPLACED. I THEN CALLED GM DIRECTLY TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THIS PART AND TO REPORT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS SAFETY CONCERN. THEY CREATED A SERVICE REQUEST CASE NUMBER 9-6357435144. THEY IN TURN DIRECTED ME BACK TO THE DEALER I ORIGINALLY CALLED. THE DEALER'S SERVICE TECHNICIAN THEN SUGGESTED I GET A USED BELT BUCKLE FROM A JUNKYARD. I CALLED GM AGAIN AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO DIRECT ME AGAIN BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER I HAD CALLED AND THEY CONNECTED ME TO PREVIOUSLY. WHEN I TOLD THEM I NEEDED TO HAVE THEM FIND THIS PART FOR ME, THEY SIMPLY DIRECTED ME TO ANOTHER NEARBY DEALER. WHEN SPEAKING TO THIS DEALER, THEY DID NOT HAVE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ALSO, BUT WERE ABLE TO LOCATE OTHER DEALERS THAT HAD IT. IT WILL TAKE A WEEK FOR THIS PART TO ARRIVE. IN THE MEANTIME, MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING IN THE TWIN CITIES WITHOUT A SEAT BELT AS IT IS DEFECTIVE. I PRAY SHE DOES NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT AS IT IS WINTER IN MINNESOTA. PLEASE NOTIFY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL CAR THAT THEY MAY HAVE A SIMILAR BAD EXPERIENCE AND NOTIFY GM TO TAKE THIS PROBLEM MORE SERIOUSLY THAN THEY HAVE WITH ME SO FAR. RESPECTFULLY, GLEN WOLF

NHTSA ODI #11374949

36,000 miles · May 2, 2007
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL-* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN A PICK UP TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED IT TO CRASH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER , A CHILD, WAS IN THE REAR SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DURING …

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TL-* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN A PICK UP TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED IT TO CRASH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER , A CHILD, WAS IN THE REAR SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DURING THE CRASH, THE REAR SEAT BELT DISENGAGED, AND HIT THE PASSENGER IN THE EYE, RESULTING IN A BLACK EYE AND A CONCUSSION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE REASON THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY OR WHY THE REAR SEAT BELT DISENGAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 36,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10189527

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Seat BeltsInjury

I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF A RENTED CHEVY IMPALA. I INTENDED TO LEAN MY ARM ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, BUT FOREARM ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE SEATBELT BUCKLE (WHICH I HAD ALREADY FASTENED). MY FOREARM WAS PINCHED INTO THE SEATBELT BUCKLE CAUSING A ONE INCH SQUARE BLOOD BLISTER AND BRUISING. IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS INJURY, …

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I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF A RENTED CHEVY IMPALA. I INTENDED TO LEAN MY ARM ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, BUT FOREARM ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE SEATBELT BUCKLE (WHICH I HAD ALREADY FASTENED). MY FOREARM WAS PINCHED INTO THE SEATBELT BUCKLE CAUSING A ONE INCH SQUARE BLOOD BLISTER AND BRUISING. IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS INJURY, BUT DID HURT NONETHELESS. AND, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE HURT A CHILD OR EDERLY PERSON MORE.

NHTSA ODI #10126774

2,400 miles · Jun 17, 2004
Seat BeltsInjury

WHILE MAKING A SHARP TURN AT 30 MPH CONSUMER'S CHILD SEAT BELT BECAME UNATTACHED. THE BUCKLE OF THE BELT STRUCK ANOTHER CHILD IN THE FACE, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. DEALER EXAMINED THE SEAT BELT AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079440

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.