RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Impala Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
10
Latest May 19, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
<1%
of 1,072 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed May 19, 2020

MY OIL KEEPS LEAKING OUT AND I HAVE TO KEEP ADDING TO IT. I'VE TRIED SEALANTS BUT NONE OF THEM WORK TO STOP IT FROM LEAKING AS WELL AS A SUSHI IN MY DASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
11325138
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
116 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSuspension
Filed Nov 5, 2014
Crash reported

I BOUGHT 2004 IMPALA AND HAVE IGNITION PROBLEM WITH WITNESSES WITH A DENT IN FRONT BUMPER, AFTER TEN YEARS OR OVER 100K MILES THE GASKET GOES ON GM/GMC PRODUCTS, BOTH INNER TIE RODS ROTTEN OUT. I HAVE TALK TO GM EXECUTIVE OFFICE THAT FIX THE IMPALA PROBLEM IN 2011 BUT UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH IT NOW. I THINK I NEED OUT SIDE COUNSEL AND ENGINEERING FIRM TO TEST AND TESTIFY ON MY BEHAVE AND3,700 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WANT NEW VEHICLES AND SETTING UP A DATE WITH CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, AND NHTSA REVIEW MY CASE. I HAVE MET WITH CONGRESSIONAL PANEL INVESTIGATING GM THAT WANT TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I BEEN A GM PERSON BUT SERIOUSLY LOOKING IN THE FOREIGN MARKET IF I HAVE NO SERIOUS RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652657
Incident
Aug 15, 2006
Mileage
67,876 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jun 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHICH EXACERBATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BEARINGS, BRAKES AND TWO TIRES. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,984.

NHTSA ID
10598978
Incident
Sep 23, 2013
Mileage
6,984 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 21, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

1) TRIED TO SLOW CAR DOWN. CAR WOULD NOT TURN NOR HALT. ENDED UP HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. RESTORED IT 100%. 2) A YEAR LATER, HAD 3 BRAND NEW RACK AND PINION'S REPLACED IN ONE MONTH. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT. THE A-FRAME IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND SO IS THE AREA SURROUNDING THE RACK AND PINON. HAVE PICTURES AND MECHANICS AS PROOF. 3) CALLED THE CHEVY COMPANY & WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN WISCONSIN. THEY CLAIM THEY SAW NO REASON TO HELP WITH THE RACK & PINION AS THOSE CARS WERE RECALL-FREE. 4) CAR LEANS TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT TIMES (THIS STARTED AFTER EACH RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED). THERE IS ALSO A 2 O'CLOCK AND 10 O'CLOCK DEAD ZONE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. STEERING USED TO FEEL A BIT NORMAL. IT WAS NOT LIKE THIS UNTIL I HAD A NEW RACK AND PINION PUT ON. TWICE (IN BETWEEN) THE BOOT WOULD EXCESSIVELY LEAK (AS DID THE ORIGINAL FROM CHEVY). 5) WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR MAKES KICK DRUMMING GRINDING SOUNDS. WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. IT IS IRRITATING THOUGH. 6) THE CAR DIDN'T EVEN HIT IT'S 5TH YEAR (BEING NEW) BEFORE IT STARTED TO RUST PAINT OFF THE TOP OF ITS ROOF. I LIVE WHERE THERE IS NO SNOW OR COAST, AND EXTREMELY LITTLE ICE. 7) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF. HAD IT CHECKED. WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. 8) WAS DRIVING RIGHT NEXT TO A COP GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 10 MPH. I CROSSED MY FINGERS THAT I WASN'T SPEEDING SINCE I KEPT MY SPEED NEXT TO THE OFFICER. REPLACED. 9) COMBO TURNING SIGNAL & CRUISE BROKE OFF THE STEERING FOR NO REASON DURING A TURN. REPLACED. 10) LOCKS ME OUT OFF & ON FOR NO REASON. 11) THIS CAR IS MY BABY AS IT WAS ONE OF THE LAST THING I GOT THAT WAS MY MOTHER'S BEFORE SHE DIED. IT IS ALSO MY FIRST CAR THAT HAS SEEN ME THROUGH (AND STILL) MY COLLEGE YEARS. IT IS VERY SENTIMENTAL TO ME FOR THOSE REASONS. MY DREAM IS TO KEEP THIS CAR EVEN WHEN IT'S A CLASSIC.

NHTSA ID
10408308
Incident
Jul 23, 2008
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 21, 2011

CLICKING NOISE IN FRONT END WHENEVER I TURN RIGHT. JACKED UP OFF THE GROUND THERE IS NO NOISE WHEN IN GEAR AND TURNING RIGHT. IS IT STEERING OR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. REPLACED BOTH CV JOINTS AND HUBS. STILL CLICKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10378158
Incident
Sep 14, 2010
Mileage
78,000 mi
BrakesExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Apr 7, 2008

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPED ROTORS, WHICH I HAD REPLACED. THEN A WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING BEING BAD. I HAD LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING REPLACED AND PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. TURNED OUT IT WAS RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING THAT WAS BAD, SO BOTH ENDED UP REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS LATER "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM" LIGHT STARTED COMING ON EVERY DAY AND SHUTS OFF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING FROM HIGH BEAMS TO DIM. SOMETIMES IT TAKES TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WILL GO FROM HIGH BEAMS TO DIM. I'VE NEVER HAD THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH CHEVROLET'S BEFORE. I'VE HAD CHEVROLET'S WITH 150,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS, OR HAD ABS PROBLEMS BEFORE, JUST NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10223566
Incident
Apr 4, 2008
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 20, 2007

MY 2004 IMPALA SS HAS HAD A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND STEERING. THE CAR NOW HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS AGAIN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH NOISES IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING, STOPPING AND STARTING. THE FRONT END JUST FEELS LOOSE. THIS WAS AN ISSUE CORRECTED WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AROUND 35,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, BUT HAS RETURNED SOME 30,000 MILES LATER. ALSO, HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE ROTORS TURNED AROUND 25,000 MILES. TODAY, THE CAR IS HAVING ITS LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10183022
Incident
Feb 20, 2007
Mileage
59,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2006

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SQUEAKS INTERMITTENTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN OR ROUGH PAVEMENT. *TS SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10150837
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
BrakesSuspension
Filed Oct 25, 2004

I PURCHASED A 2004 CHERVOLET IMPALA FROM C & O MOTORS IN ST. ALBANS WEST VIRGINIA ON MARCH 23,2004. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD TWO MILES ON THE ODOMETER. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD CONTINUED BRAKE PROBLEMS, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, NOISES COMING FROM THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE, AND A POPPING AND CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED, ALL HUB CAPS REPLACED, ALL LUG NUT COVERS REPLACED, 2 RACK OF PINIONS REPLACED, 2 STEERIND SHAFTS REPLACED, BOTH SIDES OF UPPER MOUNT AND BARINGS REPLACED, FRONT END SUSPENSION BOLTS REPLACED AND TIGHTENED SEVREAL TIMES, AND NO HAVE AN ELETRICAL PROBLEM WHEN ROLLING UP THE WINDOWS THE LIGHTS DIM, AND FRONT HEAD LIGHT LENS ALWAYS HAS MOSITURE IN THEM WHENIT RAINS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10096397
Incident
May 1, 2004
Mileage
9,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 27, 2004

CAR BOUGHT NEW, VIBRATION FROM FRONT END ,DEALER ALIGNED FRONT AND REAR WHICH WAS OUT OF SPEC.(HAVE ALIGNMENT PRINT-OUT FOR BEFORE AND AFTER) AFTER ALIGNMENT UNEASY FEELING STEERING WITH CONSTANT CORRECTION. WILL WANDER L&R. WHEN STOPPING STEERING WHEEL WILL OCCASIONALLY JERK TO THE LEFT, PULLS RIGHT UPON ACCELLERATION. SCAREY DRIVING IN RAIN - HYDROPLANES EASILY. MY CONCERNS ARE FOR HANDLING / BRAKING IN WINTER CONDITIONS OF ICE AND SNOW.*AK

NHTSA ID
10082757
Incident
Apr 28, 2004
Mileage
4 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .