TURN SIGNALS DO NOT OPERA RATE ALL THE TIME, WHEN THEY FAIL HITTING THE HAZARD LIGHTS BUTTON SEAMS TO MAKE THEM OPERATE.
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.
What owners actually said
1,072 reportsWHEN TRYING TO START MY VEHICLE, THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES. THIS OCCURS ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND OCCURS IN MANY LOCATIONS. SOME OF THE LOCATIONS INCLUDE VERY RURAL AREAS WITH NO PHONE SIGNAL, DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE DAYS WHEN A CHILD IS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. TEN MINUTES IS A LONG…
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WHEN TRYING TO START MY VEHICLE, THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES. THIS OCCURS ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND OCCURS IN MANY LOCATIONS. SOME OF THE LOCATIONS INCLUDE VERY RURAL AREAS WITH NO PHONE SIGNAL, DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE DAYS WHEN A CHILD IS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. TEN MINUTES IS A LONG TIME TO SIT WITH NO COOLING AVAILABLE AND NO ABILITY TO CONTACT ANYONE. THIS OCCURS WITH NO WARNING AND NO CERTAIN WEATHER. GMC IS AWARE OF THE PASSCODE/PASSKEY FAILURES BUT HAS REFUSED TO RECALL SUCH MALFUNCTIONS, EVEN THOUGH IT AFFECTS THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES.
DID YOU KNOW THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION KEY FIX HAD ONLY A ONE YEAR WARRANTY? THEY FILLED THE SLOT WITH TWO PLASTIC HALVES THAT SNAPPED TOGETHER AND KEPT THE KEY RING CENTERED SO IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF THE IGNITION IF YOU HIT A BUMP. MY KEY CAME APART AND I CAN NOT GET IT TO SNAP BACK TOGETHER. THE DEALER SAYS THE WARRANTY IS EXP…
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DID YOU KNOW THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION KEY FIX HAD ONLY A ONE YEAR WARRANTY? THEY FILLED THE SLOT WITH TWO PLASTIC HALVES THAT SNAPPED TOGETHER AND KEPT THE KEY RING CENTERED SO IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF THE IGNITION IF YOU HIT A BUMP. MY KEY CAME APART AND I CAN NOT GET IT TO SNAP BACK TOGETHER. THE DEALER SAYS THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND SUGGESTED I GLUE THEM ON THE KEY. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANY ONE ELSE?
WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND GO TO ACCELERATE THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP. IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE ROAD ONCE U COME TO A STOP AND OR STOP AND TURN ONTO A STREET OR HIGHWAY. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES. I READ ONLINE AT ITS HAPPENING ALOT TO PEOPLE ALL OVER. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSTANT E…
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WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND GO TO ACCELERATE THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP. IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE ROAD ONCE U COME TO A STOP AND OR STOP AND TURN ONTO A STREET OR HIGHWAY. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES. I READ ONLINE AT ITS HAPPENING ALOT TO PEOPLE ALL OVER. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSTANT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. PREVIOUS OWER ADVISED ME OF THE PROBLEM AS WELL.
THE SHIFTER GOES ALL THE WAY TO PARK BUT THEY KEY WILL NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION SO YOU CANT REMOVE THE KEY.
TURNED ON MY CAR STARTED PUSHING ON THE GAS MY CAR MADE A WEIRD VIBRATION TYPE SOUND. CAME UP ON MESSAGE BOARD TRACTION CONTROL AFTER A COUPLE TIMES OF IT DOING THAT, THE ABS AND TAX LIGHT COME ON AND ON THE MESSAGE WINDOW IT SAYS SYSTEM TRACTION SERVICE. IT KINDA FREAKED ME OUT CAUSE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WENT TO GO HIT …
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TURNED ON MY CAR STARTED PUSHING ON THE GAS MY CAR MADE A WEIRD VIBRATION TYPE SOUND. CAME UP ON MESSAGE BOARD TRACTION CONTROL AFTER A COUPLE TIMES OF IT DOING THAT, THE ABS AND TAX LIGHT COME ON AND ON THE MESSAGE WINDOW IT SAYS SYSTEM TRACTION SERVICE. IT KINDA FREAKED ME OUT CAUSE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WENT TO GO HIT THE GAS AND IT SAID TRACTION CONTROL AND I MOVED A LITTLE THAN I HAD TO LET GO OF GAS THEN TRY AGAIN. ALSO HAVE HAD A COUPLE INCIDENTS WHERE I GO TO BREAK AND IT MAKES A VIBRATION FEELING ON THE BRAKE AND BRINGS UP TRACTION CONTROL AGAIN. REALLY WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED OUT VERY CONCERNED. DON'T WANT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSE MY CAR FAILS TO TAKE OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ALL GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ALL GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE PASSING GEAR WOULD GET ROUGH GOING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,273.
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING TO DUE A SECURITY GLITCH. FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS MANY TIMES MY CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE IT TECHNICALLY THINKS I'M TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY OWN CAR. THE SECURITY LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION IT DOESN'T START. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO 'ON' ON THE IGNITION AND…
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I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING TO DUE A SECURITY GLITCH. FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS MANY TIMES MY CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE IT TECHNICALLY THINKS I'M TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY OWN CAR. THE SECURITY LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION IT DOESN'T START. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO 'ON' ON THE IGNITION AND SIT FOR ABOUT 10 OR SOMETIMES 20 MINUTES UNTIL THE CAR STARTS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING SITUATION FOR ME AND DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION I'M IN IT ALSO COULD BE DANGEROUS. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVY IMPALAS IN GENERAL.
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 60-65 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FIRST AND THEN 2-3 SECONDS LATER THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. POLICE WERE CALLED AND MADE A VIDEO REPORT OF THE CAR WITH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM WORK AT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND THE CRADLE HOLDING THE MOTOR FELL OUT.
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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