IllustrationFIRST SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING, NOW TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. *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
What owners actually said
1,072 reportsWHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACH METER NEEDLES WENT HAY WIRE. THEY HAVE NOT GONE BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL STATE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM, BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
I WAS COMING DOWN WESTBOUND ON RACQUET CLUB (CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CA) THE LIGHT WAS GREEN AS I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION. I WAS IN THE LANE CLOSEST TO THE CURB/SIDEWALK. I DO RECALL SEEING THE TRUCK COMING DOWN SOUTHBOUND FROM A FAR DISTANCE. I WAS HALF WAY ON THE INTERSECTION WHEN I SEE THE TRUCK COMING VERY FAST AND TH…
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I WAS COMING DOWN WESTBOUND ON RACQUET CLUB (CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CA) THE LIGHT WAS GREEN AS I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION. I WAS IN THE LANE CLOSEST TO THE CURB/SIDEWALK. I DO RECALL SEEING THE TRUCK COMING DOWN SOUTHBOUND FROM A FAR DISTANCE. I WAS HALF WAY ON THE INTERSECTION WHEN I SEE THE TRUCK COMING VERY FAST AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW IT HIT MY CAR IT SPUN ( I BELIEVE TWICE). THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY TWO KIDS WERE WITH ME. MY SON WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER SIDE AND MY DAUGHTER WAS IN HER CARSEAT SITTING BEHIND ON THE BACK ON THE RIGHT. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF MY ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE POLICE, AMBULANCE AND FIRE TRUCK CAME TO THE SCENE. MY SON AND I WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. MY SON WHO IS 11 BROKE HIS WRIST DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND BRUISES ALL OVER HIS BODY. MY DAUGHTER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND I HAD A CUT ON MY FOOT, MAJOR BRUISES ON MY CHEST AND MY LOWER ABDOMEN DUE TO THE SEATBELT. *TR
SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE ARE NOT WORKING. THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED BEING CORRECT. SOMETIMES THEY SHOW I AM GOING 100 WHILE IN PARK, OR 75 WHILE GOING 30. THE GAUGES FREEZE AND STAY THAT WAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE VERY SAME THING. *TR
WAS IN MY CAR DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RAISED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. *TR
NO SINGLE EVENT. 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, FOUND OUT SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. JUST LAST WEEK, I WAS PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING, THE COP LET ME OFF WITH A WARNING BUT SAID NEXT TIME, THAT EXCUSE WON'T CUT IT. THE PROBLEM WON'T FIX ITSELF, AND THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED …
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NO SINGLE EVENT. 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, FOUND OUT SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. JUST LAST WEEK, I WAS PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING, THE COP LET ME OFF WITH A WARNING BUT SAID NEXT TIME, THAT EXCUSE WON'T CUT IT. THE PROBLEM WON'T FIX ITSELF, AND THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED AROUND $450.00 TO REPAIR THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. I CAN'T AFFORD SUCH A COSTLY REPAIR WHEN I NEED TO BUY NEW TIRES. ONE SAFETY PRIORITY AT A TIME I GUESS. *TR
2004 IMPALA, BRAKE ROTORS WARPING. CAR HAS APPROX 73,000 MILES. IN THAT TIME BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR RESURFACED APPROX 4-5 TIMES DUE TO PULSING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALAS TRANSMISSION JUMPS INTO GEAR MAKING THE CAR GO FORWARD IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD ME TOUGH LUCK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WON'T FIX THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I WENT TO CAR COMPLAINTS DOT COM AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR
SPEEDOMETER GIVES FALSE READINGS. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED TRACKING THE CORRECT SPEED. IT IS USUALLY READING MUCH LESS THAN I AM ACTUALLY MOVING BUT CAN REPORT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO JUDGE YOUR ACTUAL SPEED WITHOUT IT. TYPICALLY WITH A WORKING SPEEDOMETER I HAVE TO BRAKE TO KEEP MY SPEED IN …
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MY 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED TRACKING THE CORRECT SPEED. IT IS USUALLY READING MUCH LESS THAN I AM ACTUALLY MOVING BUT CAN REPORT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO JUDGE YOUR ACTUAL SPEED WITHOUT IT. TYPICALLY WITH A WORKING SPEEDOMETER I HAVE TO BRAKE TO KEEP MY SPEED IN CHECK. THE CAR RIDES SO SMOOTH THAT IT IS EASY TO GO FASTER THAN ONE SHOULD. *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.