2004 Chevrolet Impala: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Engine · AZ · fire

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.

Filed Jul 29, 2019 · Engine · 170,000 miles · IA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that when he was driving at 60 MPH, heat started coming through the air ducts and the vehicle was shut off without warning. The contact was able to pull over and upon lifting the hood to check the engine, flames began disbursing from the engine's manifold. The contact then grabbed a floor mat from his vehicle and extinguished the flames. The contact then restarted the vehicle and the check engine light illuminated, the contact then drove the vehicle to a parking lot. No police or fire report was filed and no injuries were reported. The dealer neither the manufacturer have been informed of the vehicle failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. *tr consumer stated you could observe the oil pours out the valve cover and failed to mention it was more the front gasket than back.*jb *tr 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jan 17, 2019 · Fuel system · 200,000 miles · IN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. While the vehicle was stationary, flames appeared under the hood. A police report was filed. The local fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries sustained. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to hobson chevrolet buick gmc (655 w southview dr, martinsville, in 46151, (765) 792-4476) where it was determined that the fuel line caused the fire; however, the contact was not informed of what needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Seats · 80,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while the vehicle was operated at 35 MPH, the passenger side seat caught fire. The contact saw smoke coming from the seat and then flames. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle into the off position, the fire extinguished independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the seat heating assembly failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Engine · 136,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the engine caught fire. The contact smelled smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was not destroyed. There were no injuries sustained. The contact and her husband extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 132,000 miles · SC · fire

While driving down the highway I saw some smoke or steam coming from under the right dash . I didn't know what it was , so I check my gauges and every thing looked ok , I continue to driving trying to make it to my mothers house. The car cut itself off and I shift to n and roll into the driveway. I got out went into the house for a couple of min. When I return the car was smoking , I dash water on top of the hood but the smoke turn into flames that's when I called 911. Help came and was able to put the fire out.

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Engine · 116,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. While driving at various speeds, the contact smelled burning oil coming from the vehicle without warning. In addition, smoke emitted under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v201000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 116,000.

Filed Mar 5, 2015 · Engine · 99,400 miles · SC · fire

After parking my car, I just happened to noticed smoke coming out from the front of car and I was fortunate enough to have a dry chemical fire extinguisher available to put out the flames. It appears that there was a valve cover oil leak that had dripped onto the exhaust manifold that caused the oil to ignite into flames. Resulting damage that I'm visually able to see was to all spark plug wires, engine coils, plastic engine cover, oil dipstick, right engine strut, wiring harness pigtail going to coil pack assembly and under hood insulation. I will not know full extent of damage until I attempt to perform the repairs myself. I have photos if someone would like to view them. Also, the mileage I listed of 99,400 is approximate, it is not exact as I am not near my car at the moment.

Filed Jul 7, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 179,000 miles · WI · fire

I have had issues with lights for the past 6 months. First started out where if I had my bright lights on every now and again all my lights would go off while driving. The bright lights wouldn't stay on so had to hold to keep them on. Then it came a period of time where all my lights would not work. On friday, june 27th 2014, I was at work and happened to look out the window and noticed my lights were on. Went outside to see if car was dead. When I got in the car I could see that my steering column was smoking (on fire) coming from the turn signal switch. The bright lights had stuck to on somehow and this is why I could see that my llights were on. I unhooked the battery and the smoking stopped. When I went to hook battery back up there wasn't any more smoking but my windshield wipers were going as fast as they could and I couldn't switch or do anything to make them stop. The hazards or all my lights were blinking on/off repeatedly. Nothing I could do to stop. As of now I'm driving without any fuse to the wipers and the lights work during the daytime but will not work at all after dark. I've been told the part that is needed to replace this is a multi-functional switch. However, this is going to cost $800 to replace. Many complaints out there about the same thing happening to same year/make/model car and no recall??

Filed Feb 23, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 87,324 miles · MO · fire

My mechanic has been doing a lot of work on this car for the past month trying to figure out why my car completely powers off if I am driving on the road. After taking the diagnostic test again for the 3rd time it says we need two 02 sensors replaced and a new mass airflow sensor. Once we turned the key into the ignition the car began to smoke and burst into flames we pulled the keys out of the ignition and the fire department arrived and tried to put the fire out but gas leaked out and made a huge fire. The car tried to start up and we did not have the keys in the car the fire department had to cut my car battery out because it would not go out. Fortunately my fiance' and I made it out of the car alive. With all of the money I have been putting into this car to have it fixed and it catches on fire this makes me not want to ever purchase another chevy car in my life and I am only 22 years old.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 130,000 miles · MN · fire

We were driving our 2004 chevrolet impala this evening and have been having issues for the past month with the headlights. The dim lights would not work at all, only the brights worked. This evening, we smelled something burning and suddenly the multifunction switch was smoking and on fire. We shut off the car and waved the fire out, luckily we got out safe. We now have no headlights and had to have the vehicle towed. I have seen that this is a problem with many impalas and chevrolet needs to take action. Someone could be injured in an accident due to their lights failing or get injured because their car starts on fire. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 120,135 miles · NY · fire

First at buying my chevy impala it had 115,000mi on it already but desperately needed a car being a single mother. After having the car a little over a month the fuel injectors blew where my car would no longer start. Got it fixed. Next I had to keep putting power steering fluid in (once every week) went to a mechanic, he said my power steering is going to eventually go.. Next 2 months after that my car caught on fire through the lighter. Electrical. Called the fire dept. They had to cut the wires and pull the fuse. 2 months after that, my transmission blew. Just like that. I was driving on the high way and approached an accident. After coming to a complete stop tried to pick speed back up and it wouldn't go anymore than 15 MPH. I pulled off to a rest area, sat there for 30mins. Reversed out of the parking lot, put it in drive, it wouldn't budge... Not to mention a month after buying the car. The turn signals,, brake lights, cruise control, flashers all worked when they wanted too and not when I needed it too. Came close to a few people running in the back of me due to back lights not working.. And my temp, gauge, speedometer and gas gauge do not work. Id be in park with a full tank of gas, it says im going 80mph and gas is empty.. Hate this car with a passion.. Very dangerous car...would never recommend this car to anyone....