RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Impala

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1,072
Latest Nov 29, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Oct 26, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
65
42 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1,072 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and exterior lighting categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 495 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
15V701000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Oct 26, 2015
1,003,556 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
The 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 engine’s 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 15757View on NHTSA.gov
15V201000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Apr 6, 2015
330,742 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14574View on NHTSA.gov
14V400000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Jul 3, 2014
5,877,718 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14350View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 1,072
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2025

Cars acceleration causes me to be unable to pick up speed it decelerates up hills small or latg ramps cats constantly fly pass to avoid a multi car pile up it’s very dangerous!

NHTSA ID
11702052
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assisted by persons nearby to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ID
11685324
Incident
Aug 15, 2025
Mileage
71,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 31, 2024

The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ID
11605711
Incident
Jul 31, 2024
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 21, 2022

Wiring harness has got hot and cause a short not getting fuel and more

NHTSA ID
11470171
Incident
Jun 14, 2022
Engine
Filed Aug 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle after waiting approximately 5-10 minutes. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11431065
Incident
Aug 16, 2021
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2021
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHEVEROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS EXITING OFF THE EXIT RAMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN THEY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW A FIRE COMING FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS A BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHARITY TOWING AND RECOVERY (4106 S 7TH ST, PHOENIX, AZ 85040) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR CAUSED OF FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11397770
Incident
Feb 8, 2021
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Jan 19, 2021
Crash reported

MY IGNITION SWITCH HAS A RECALL THAT SOMETIMES TAKES FOREVER TO GET KEY TO TURN OVER, THE STEERING SHAFT AND KNUCKLES ALSO HAVE A RECALL THAT MAKE ME DRIFT AND SLIDE ON DRY ROADS, ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM AS WELL HAS RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11388766
Incident
Jan 6, 2021
Mileage
130,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 16, 2020

WHEN USING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR ON FRIDAY, 11/13/2020, THE METAL BELT CLIP CLICKS INTO THE BUCKLE WITH AN AUDIBLE CLICK. THIS APPEARS TO BE SAFELY ENGAGED, YET IF I TUG ON THE BELT, THE CLIP POPS OUT OF THE BUCKLE. I TRIED THIS REPEATEDLY AND HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE EACH TIME. MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THIS HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. REALIZING THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, I CALLED THE GM DEALER FOR HELP. THEY TOLD ME THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO BE REPLACED. I THEN CALLED GM DIRECTLY TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THIS PART AND TO REPORT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS SAFETY CONCERN. THEY CREATED A SERVICE REQUEST CASE NUMBER 9-6357435144. THEY IN TURN DIRECTED ME BACK TO THE DEALER I ORIGINALLY CALLED. THE DEALER'S SERVICE TECHNICIAN THEN SUGGESTED I GET A USED BELT BUCKLE FROM A JUNKYARD. I CALLED GM AGAIN AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO DIRECT ME AGAIN BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER I HAD CALLED AND THEY CONNECTED ME TO PREVIOUSLY. WHEN I TOLD THEM I NEEDED TO HAVE THEM FIND THIS PART FOR ME, THEY SIMPLY DIRECTED ME TO ANOTHER NEARBY DEALER. WHEN SPEAKING TO THIS DEALER, THEY DID NOT HAVE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ALSO, BUT WERE ABLE TO LOCATE OTHER DEALERS THAT HAD IT. IT WILL TAKE A WEEK FOR THIS PART TO ARRIVE. IN THE MEANTIME, MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING IN THE TWIN CITIES WITHOUT A SEAT BELT AS IT IS DEFECTIVE. I PRAY SHE DOES NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT AS IT IS WINTER IN MINNESOTA. PLEASE NOTIFY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL CAR THAT THEY MAY HAVE A SIMILAR BAD EXPERIENCE AND NOTIFY GM TO TAKE THIS PROBLEM MORE SERIOUSLY THAN THEY HAVE WITH ME SO FAR. RESPECTFULLY, GLEN WOLF

NHTSA ID
11374949
Incident
Nov 2, 2020
Mileage
107,442 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Impala by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020150049.1
2019281052.7
2018591045.3
20171160039.1
20161110041.3
20152993050.3
201463112257.3
20132701038.4
20122583051.6
20115052045.1
20104414048.6
20098245050.4
20088102151.8
20076273051.8
20065242156.2
20056094051.9
2004Viewing1,0727052.8
20036948157.9
20027957260.4
200174210262.8
200081810263.4
1999400—
1998200—
1997100—
1996881244.9
1995441143.5
1994151142.6
1993210—
1992010—
1991010—
1987100—
1985111—
1984001—
1983320—
1982230—
1981220—
1980030—
1979230—
1978030—
1977131—
1976010—
1974030—
1973010—
1972020—
1971040—
1969240—
1968020—
1967220—
1966320—
1965030—
1963100—
1958100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.