2004 IMPALA, CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW I HAVE SLIGHTLY LOOSE STEERING WITH NOTICEABLE PLAY IN THE STEERING. THANKS FOR STANDING BEHIND KNOWN MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS GM! WILL BE MY LAST GM AUTOMOBILE. *TR
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.
Steering complaints
62 reportsSTEERING RACK,FIXED ON 8/27/09 ON 3/29/10 CANNOT STEER TO LEFT, LIMITED ON RIGHT TWICE TURNING TO LEFT CAR COULD NOT ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT WITH ON COMING CARS AND PARKED CARS CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC,SAYS WORK WAS DONE ON THIS, TO TAKE BACK TO THEM. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERS. WAS THE STEERING RACK ONCE MORE.
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA POWER STEERING LOCKS MAKING DRIVER UNABLE TO TURN CAR DURING RAIN OR DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONLY A SECOND OR TWO, BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. SEVERAL TIMES, ENGINE CUT OFF, OR I HAD TO CUT IT OFF TO BE ABLE TO RESTORE POWER STEERING. HAD IT "FIXED" BY DEALER WHO REPLACED CLUSTER. IT…
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2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA POWER STEERING LOCKS MAKING DRIVER UNABLE TO TURN CAR DURING RAIN OR DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONLY A SECOND OR TWO, BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. SEVERAL TIMES, ENGINE CUT OFF, OR I HAD TO CUT IT OFF TO BE ABLE TO RESTORE POWER STEERING. HAD IT "FIXED" BY DEALER WHO REPLACED CLUSTER. IT DID IT AGAIN THE VERY NEXT RAIN. NO ACCIDENT BUT A "NEAR MISS" BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE DUMP TRUCK. I WAS TOLD I WAS DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES TOO FAST. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, AND THERE IS A LOT OF RAIN AND POOR DRAINAGE. OTHER CARS GOING SPEED LIMIT WERE NOT HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS I DRIVE A CARPOOL OF FOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. I AM SURE A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM, SINCE I SAW OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON TWITTER *CN *TR
CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN. I KNOW IT IS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AGAIN. IT WAS REPLACED IN NOV. 2007 AND HAS RECURRED 20,000 MILES LATER IN NOV. 2009. DEALER TRYING TO MAKE ME PAY FOR IT AGAIN. *TR
OWN 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR PULSATING FEEL IN STEERING SHAFT IN 10-10-2005,08-31-06,01-24-07 AND FINALLY 12-27-08. STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED ON 08-31-06 FOR INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. NOW CHEVROLET DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AFTER MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED! PLEASE REFE…
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OWN 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR PULSATING FEEL IN STEERING SHAFT IN 10-10-2005,08-31-06,01-24-07 AND FINALLY 12-27-08. STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED ON 08-31-06 FOR INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. NOW CHEVROLET DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AFTER MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED! PLEASE REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08E063000 COMPONENT: STEERING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
BEGAN NOTICING CLICKING IN STEERING DURING TURNS. MY 2004 HAD APPROXIMATELY 21,000 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO TEST DROVE IT AND COMMENTED THAT CHEVROLET HAS HAD AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT. A FIX WOULD COST OVER $300. I WROTE SEVERAL LETTERS TO GM ASKING WHY I WAS ASKED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON …
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BEGAN NOTICING CLICKING IN STEERING DURING TURNS. MY 2004 HAD APPROXIMATELY 21,000 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO TEST DROVE IT AND COMMENTED THAT CHEVROLET HAS HAD AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT. A FIX WOULD COST OVER $300. I WROTE SEVERAL LETTERS TO GM ASKING WHY I WAS ASKED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON AN ITEM THEY SOLD KNOWING IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY EVENTUALLY OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. I HAD IT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT A COST OF AROUND $140. AFTER DESCRIBING IT TO FRIENDS WHO ALSO OWNED CHEVY'S (TRUCKS) THEY COMMENTED THAT THEIRS WAS DOING THE SAME THING. MADE US WONDER WHY A RECALL WASN'T ORDERED.. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE READINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD CLUN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE READINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
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 …
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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
THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING ...STARTED AFTER ABOUT 25,000 MILES......IT ALWAYS OCCURS, EVERYTIME, AND IS VERY ANNOYING. *TR
WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 IMPALA NEW IN MAY OF 2004. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS CRAZILY AND WE ALSO HAVE THE NOISE AND VIBRATION THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE STEERING SHAFT WILL COST AT LEAST $100 AND A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER $300. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE COST OF LABOR AND STATE SAL…
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WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 IMPALA NEW IN MAY OF 2004. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS CRAZILY AND WE ALSO HAVE THE NOISE AND VIBRATION THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE STEERING SHAFT WILL COST AT LEAST $100 AND A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER $300. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE COST OF LABOR AND STATE SALES TAX! THESE DEFECTS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED . I AM ALMOST FEARFUL TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR. AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, I CAN'T BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT IS FAILING THE AMERICAN CONSUMER TRYING TO BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS. NO WONDER THE FOREIGN CAR COMPANIES ARE EATING DETROIT'S LUNCH! *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.
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