Rear valve cover leaking oil onto manifold, causing smoke.
The worst 2004 Chevrolet Impala problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical681
- Lights108
- Engine107
- Brakes89
- Steering63
- Transmission47
- Acceleration41
- Fuel system37
- Airbags31
- Driver assistance25
- Body18
- Visibility14
- Suspension10
- Wheels10
- Tires5
- Seat belts4
- Locks3
- Seats2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala
Headlights 89Won't start 86Fuel gauge 66Stalling 40ABS 36Overheating 29Grinding brakes 22No deployment 21Fire or smoke 17Check engine light 16Adaptive cruise 15Jerking 13Steering noise 13Warning lights 13Loss of power 10Slipping 10Harsh shifting 9Airbag light 7Engine failure 7Transmission failure 7Wipers 7Knocking 6Premature wear 6Fuel pump 5Hesitation 5
Recalls 4
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V201000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 04V287000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala 495
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
2004 Chevrolet Impala fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6‑cyl | FWD | 19 | 29 | 22 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-18 | 26-28 | 20-21 |
What 2004 Chevrolet Impala owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Car has turned off 3 times while sitting at a light and took hours to turn back on, car shudders when breaking sometimes and abs/traction control/air bag lights will come on, and will shudder and turn off while driving.
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!
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.
The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Wiring harness has got hot and cause a short not getting fuel and more
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
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
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Owners have filed 1,074 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 2.0 times a typical Impala model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2004 Chevrolet Impala year score?
The 2004 Chevrolet Impala scores 47 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Impala: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
Electrical system, with 681 complaints, typically around 68,656 miles. Next is lights (108).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Impala have?
4 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V400000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Impala have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Impala model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (681 complaints), 2005 (331 complaints) and 2002 (305 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Impala get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 29 highway.
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