IllustrationWE WHERE RAN INTO ON DRIVER SIDE NO AIRBAG CAME OUT WE HAVE HAD LOTS OF STEERING PROBLEMS. AS OF TODAY THERE IS STILL PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND WE JUST WONT DRIVE ON HIGHWAY AT ALL. *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
750–25K
15325–50K
23950–75K
15975–100K
158100–150K
76150K+
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
Structure complaints
18 reportsTRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVATES WHEN IT SHOULD NOT. BRAKE PEDAL HAS BUZZING NOISE AND PRESSURE WHILE BRAKING FROM AROUND 35 MPH. CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, WHEN THE TCS ACTIVATES WHEN IT SHOULD NOT, IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ACCELERATION AND HAS LEFT ME PULLING OUT OF A SIDE STREET TO ALMOST GETTING STRUCK BY C…
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TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVATES WHEN IT SHOULD NOT. BRAKE PEDAL HAS BUZZING NOISE AND PRESSURE WHILE BRAKING FROM AROUND 35 MPH. CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, WHEN THE TCS ACTIVATES WHEN IT SHOULD NOT, IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ACCELERATION AND HAS LEFT ME PULLING OUT OF A SIDE STREET TO ALMOST GETTING STRUCK BY CROSS TRAFFIC. BOTH ARE VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO SEE THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD WATER PENETRATE THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO SEE THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD WATER PENETRATE THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD STRUT FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON THE CONTACTS HEAD AND CAUSED INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRUT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT HAD BEEN RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD STRUT FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON THE CONTACTS HEAD AND CAUSED INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRUT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
ORIGINALLY RADIO FAILED TO WORK. WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE RADIO. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS CORRODED IN THE PASSENGER REAR SEATING AREA. THIS HARNESS ALSO CONTROLS THE WARNING BELLS FOR THE ENTIRE CAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY A WATER ENT…
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ORIGINALLY RADIO FAILED TO WORK. WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE RADIO. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS CORRODED IN THE PASSENGER REAR SEATING AREA. THIS HARNESS ALSO CONTROLS THE WARNING BELLS FOR THE ENTIRE CAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY A WATER ENTRY ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS COMING ON AND YOU CAN HEAR WATER 'SLOSHING" AROUND IN THE DASHBOARD AREA. WATER IS COMING IN TO THE PASSENGER FLOOR AREA. *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH FAILURE MILEAGE 28,000 HE NOTICED THAT WHENEVER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER INITIALLY BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS A STEERING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD HIM THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH T…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH FAILURE MILEAGE 28,000 HE NOTICED THAT WHENEVER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER INITIALLY BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS A STEERING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD HIM THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE STRUCTURE FRAME AND MEMBERS OF THE WHEELS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED A ROD ON THE TIRE, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ALREADY PAID $150.00 IN REPAIR COSTS, AND THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000 MILES. *AK
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD GLARE. *MR (SOLAR RAY WINDSHIELD) THIS PROBLEM COMPLETELY DISTORTED THE CONSUMERS VISION IN SOME INSTANCES. *SC *JB
BOUGHT A 2004 FROM RUSS DARROW GROUP IN MADISON WI. THIS CAR WAS A RENTAL CAR WE PAID 19K FOR IT AND IT HAS 30K MILES ON IT. IT SHAKES WHEN DRIVING OVER 50MPH AND THE BRAKES ARE UNRELIABLE. THE SALESMAN COOERICED US INTO THIS CAR, AND WE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE MATTER WITHIN 48 HOURS, BUT THEY WON'T COOPERATE. THERE ARE 2004 CARS W…
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BOUGHT A 2004 FROM RUSS DARROW GROUP IN MADISON WI. THIS CAR WAS A RENTAL CAR WE PAID 19K FOR IT AND IT HAS 30K MILES ON IT. IT SHAKES WHEN DRIVING OVER 50MPH AND THE BRAKES ARE UNRELIABLE. THE SALESMAN COOERICED US INTO THIS CAR, AND WE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE MATTER WITHIN 48 HOURS, BUT THEY WON'T COOPERATE. THERE ARE 2004 CARS WITH 0 MILES FOR LESS MONEY, THAT HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE FRONT END IS OUT OF ALLIGNMENT AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA. WE WANT A DIFFERENT, SAFE CAR, WE DO NOT WANT THIS FIXED. THE PAYMENTS ARE ALMOST 500 PER MONTH FOR SIX YEARS. THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT MILEAGE AMOUNTS ON THE PAPERS AND ON THE CONTRACT THE ODOMETER SAYS 0 STRIKEN OUT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *AK
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.