IllustrationENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AND THEN WILL TURNOVER BUT WILL NOT RESTART.
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
What owners actually said
1,072 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A GASKET LEAK IN THE VEHICLE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A GASKET LEAK IN THE VEHICLE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN STARTING ENGINE THEN COMES BACK ON AGAIN AND STAYS ON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE SWITCH TO GET THE LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS TO WORK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE SWITCH TO GET THE LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS TO WORK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,270.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON A BLACK NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THE DASH LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND EVERYTHING ELSE WAS NORMAL. AFTER BRAKING TO AN EMERGENCY STOP I DISCOVERED THAT IF I FLICKED THE DIMMER SWITCH THE LO-BEAM WOULD COME ON. SOME TIME LATER, WHEN I FLICKED THE DIMMER SWITCH THE HI-BEAMS CAME …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON A BLACK NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THE DASH LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND EVERYTHING ELSE WAS NORMAL. AFTER BRAKING TO AN EMERGENCY STOP I DISCOVERED THAT IF I FLICKED THE DIMMER SWITCH THE LO-BEAM WOULD COME ON. SOME TIME LATER, WHEN I FLICKED THE DIMMER SWITCH THE HI-BEAMS CAME BACK ON. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED PERIODICALLY SINCE THEN BUT I COULD ALSO REGAIN SOME LIGHT BY FLICKING THE DIMMER. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I COULD NOT FLICK THE DIMMER SWITCH. IT WOULD NOT CLICK. IT SEEMED TO BE JAMMED SO NO LIGHTS. AT PRESENT I HAVE HEADLIGHTS (BRIGHT ONLY) IF I HOLD THE DIMMER SWITCH UP. AS SOON AS I LET IT GO ALL LIGHTS GO OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE, BUT NO SIGNAL ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE, BUT NO SIGNAL ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,151.
I HAVE REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER THREE TIMES IN TWO YEARS, THE ALTERNATOR AND THREE BATTERIES IN TWO YEARS. ALSO HAD SEVERAL FREQUENT TUNE UPS. THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. MA 10/19/2015 *CN
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.