CHEVROLET IMPALA · model year

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA

1375 NHTSA complaints, 80 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CHEVROLETIMPALA carries 1375 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 80 crashes, 34 fires, 73 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 IMPALA is electrical system with 407 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (252) and engine (71). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2004 IMPALA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1375
Complaints
80
Crashes
34
Fires
73
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

1375 filings

Crashes Reported

80 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM407
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL252
ENGINE71
EXTERIOR LIGHTING69
STEERING51
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL38
SERVICE BRAKES36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER29
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC29
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28
AIR BAGS22
POWER TRAIN22
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION21
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS17
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE16

Recalls (7)

15V70100026/10/2015

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,

04V28700023/06/2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

08E06300017/10/2008

STEERING

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU

09E00500017/02/2009

STEERING

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN

07E02100012/03/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

15V20100006/04/2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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 manu

14V40000003/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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 agen

Recent Complaints

20251129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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!

20251129VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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!

20251129POWER TRAIN

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!

20250905ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 71,000

20250905ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 71,000

20240731ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20220621POWER TRAIN

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

20220621FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20220621FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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

20210830ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20210224FireENGINE

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.

20210119CrashENGINE

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20210119CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20210119CrashSTEERING

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20201116SEAT BELTS

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 M

Mileage: 107,442

20200806ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT AN OIL LINE WAS DETACHED AND WAS VISIBLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE OIL LINE WAS RE-ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOMNIN CHEVROLET MANASSAS LOCATED AT 8000 SUDLEY RD, MANASSAS, VA 20109, (571) 364-7245, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

20200805ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DYER CHEVROLET FORT PIERCE (4200 S. US HWY 1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF

Mileage: 120,000

20200519SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 116

20200519ENGINE

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

Mileage: 116

20200519SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 116

Compare 2004CHEVROLETIMPALA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA have?
The 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 1375 NHTSA complaints, 80 crashes, 34 fires, 73 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
Yes, the 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 407 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and ENGINE.
Is the 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.