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2004 Chevrolet Impala Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,073 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, most often about the electrical (64% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Impala model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Impala problems
Electrical
681 complaints · 64%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, wiring, starter assembly.
My speedometer goes haywire whenever it wants. My speedometer will say I'm going 60 MPH but I'm not really going that fast. Sometimes it goes the other way. It will say I'm doing 30 MPH and I'm actually doing about 60 MPH. Right now parked in the parking lot it says the car is going over 120 MPH. I have checked for…
- the contact stated that when she started vehicle with 70000 miles on it the starter staysed engaged for about 5 seconds. The contact said that this could happen under any conditions. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and that they could not find a problem. The contact said that this happened several times a…
Lights
108 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights, tail lights.
Headlights went off during driving at night. This happened eight to ten times over a period of three to four months, with lights on high beam. Lights came back on when dimmer lever was activated. Instrument panel remained illuminated when headlights went off.
Problem switching from high beam to low beam etc and sudden headlight failure at night while driving down road. Believe problem is multi function switch which has been reported by numerous people for this vehicle type. Started out as infrequent but getting progressively worse.
Engine
106 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start. On a separate occasion the vehicle restarted and was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was…
Engine stops running are random times. Won't restart for about 20 minutes. Very unsafe condition. Dealer says they cannot replicate the occurrence, but wouldn't come check out the vehicle when it stalled 1 mile from their dealership.
Brakes
89 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, brake fluid low warning, disc.
: the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal there was a popping noise at any speed. There was an NHTSA recall, # 04v287000, regarding the service brakes, hydraulic. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
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.…
Steering
63 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, column, hydraulic power assist system, gear box (other than rack and pinion).
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.…
Steering rack failure. Causing steering wheel to lock up.
Transmission
47 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle hubs.
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.
My vehicle has 73000 miles on it the transmission has been slipping and shifting hard since nov 2011. I had the transmission serviced as advised by a dealership. No change I have a n extended warranty that covers the problem if the dealer ship finds the problem. I took it to the place I bought that car from . They had…
Speed control
41 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the fuel gauge failed to provide the accurate reading level and the speedometer did not display the correct speed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge and the speedometer needed to be repaired. The…
: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the speedometer intermittently provided an incorrect reading. The dealer and manufacturer were not alerted.
Fuel system
37 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Have had a instrument panel cluster I have dealt with for along time why? The car will not start at times due to the malfunctioning security system, wait ten minutes and hope it starts, come on american made g.m. Stand up to your ownings. Now fuel pressure regulator is leaking, have heard of numerous after market…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, there was a fuel odor coming from outside of the vehicle. The failure recurred on several occasions while the vehicle was parked on an inclined surface. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Chevrolet Impala recalls
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: 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 engineâs 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 s
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (681 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); lights (108 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); engine (106 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Impala have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 26, 2015 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Impala?
- It is the most complained-about Impala model year since 2000, with 1,073 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.