The heater completely stopped working but was finally able to get the passenger side to work (it has dual temp. Controls). The turn signals work just when they want to and the windshield wipers do the same. They just stop working with no warning what so ever. Have taken it to several different places to have it looked at but nobody can determine the cause of these problems. However, upon the research I've done since these problems began I've found I'm not the only one experiencing these same issues yet there has been no kind of recalls to fix it.
2004 Chevrolet Impala electrical complaints
Page 7 of 24: complaints 161 to 190 of 681, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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)[xxx].
We are the original owners of this automobile and, until this date, we have had no significant problems. On the above date, the tachometer and speedometer ceased to work properly. The tachometer went to zero but the speedometer went up and down sporadically. The entire rest of our vacation, over a two week period, both would cease working until auto was turned off and restarted after sitting overnight. We took the car to our dealership and, after scanning on their machine, was informed the instrument cluster needed repair or total replacement and was not covered by any warranty and the almost $500.00 cost would be our responsibility. We feel this is a safety issue, no matter the age of the car or the mileage, and should be at least partially paid for by general motors. We then filed a complaint with general motors corporation and have been advised they will do nothing to assist us with the cost. We cannot imagine what the reaction would be if an elderly person or an inexperienced driver were driving on the freeway and their speedometer shot up to 90-100 MPH what their reaction would be. It is difficult to believe this would not be classified as a safety issue. Any assistance we receive in addressing this problem will be greatly appreciated.
My speedometer has stopped working which is definitely a safety issue. Also, I have to wait 10 minutes or longer for my car to start because of the security system. I am requesting a recall on these vehicles as there are many consumers with these same problems on the internet. Thank you.
Gauge cluster. Temp. Gauge reads from o to 260 degrees weather the engine is running or not. Speedometer and fuel gauge are erratic.
While driving on a rural and curvy road, my lights when out when I switched from my high beams to my low beams. I could not see for a few seconds and luckily the high beams came on when I used the multifunction switch to engage them. I am lucky that no one was coming because I was unable to see where I was going. The multifunction switch did not ?click? Like it typically does when I switch from high beams to low beams. Luckily no one was injured when I was driving but if this happens in the future to someone else there could be tragic results.
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.
On two separate occasions after dark my lights shut off . This caused a panic as I was in city traffic and could not see. My lights were on the dim mode . I discovered I could make them come back on if I used the multifunction lever to change to bright lights. I'd then switch back to dim and the lights would work for 60-120 seconds and then go out. Once again I would go through the whole process with the same result. After my second night of this happening I decided to check their inner net . I had noticed there were 26 complaints relating to the 2004 multifunction lever. I had a car load of people the first night and by the grace of god I did not hit another car . The multifunction selector lever needs to be recalled on 2004 impalas before someone is killed or seriously hurt. If nothing else I think general motors should replace the part when reported malfunctioning at their cost.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that upon starting the ignition, the fuel gauge registered an inaccurate fuel level reading. In addition, the traction control warning indicator would illuminate after driving in reverse and then in drive. The steering wheel would emit a grinding noise whenever being turned with the illumination of the traction control warning indicator. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
Speedometer stopped working just before 2 years / we thought it was a vehicle in front of us with high rf output interfering / we were so wrong / / / earlier the gas gauge was sticking and required multiple twists of key to on without starting car then off on off on off on off .... ... To reset it / later it got stuck pointing to the temperature and wont move at all / / / later the temperature gauge stopped working and will point anywhere / although 1 trip in 20 it seems as if its random setting could be correct / / / now the tachometer is intermittent / seems right when it works which is about 4 out of 5 trips / / / and the security light comes on at random / a few times was unable to start the car without waiting ten minutes / / / sometimes the traction light comes on erroneously / / / cruise control seems to have stopped working completely / / / no idea what will fail next / the internet is full of people with these complaints / / / consumers reports used car ratings has this car as bad in every category of parts that can need servicing / / / dealers want thousands to replace multiple parts but wont guarantee that they will fix the problem / / / internet notes that people have found bad solder joints in the bcm, bad wiring harness contacts, bad sensors, etc. And other design defects / / / I have found three independent companies making alternate parts to really fix these problems. And many solutions to help alleviate the problem. / / / is there an unadvertised recall or fix program by gm to fix the instruments and the bogus security system that only locks users out ?? *tr / / / / /
The speedometer stopped working. It first started misreading speeds, saying it was 30 MPH on highway (I was around 55 MPH) and then stopped reading. It will work and then months later start malfunctioning one or twice, until last week it totally stopped working. Al other gauges seem to be working, but it makes a 'light flash' now and then. Some interior lights (mirrors) will stop working when it does this panel flash. I'm told it is a cluster issue, known for these models. I bought this car straight from the dealer, brand new in 2004, and have maintained per spec, regularly.
I drove my 2004 impala to the store, when I returned to my car it would not start! Since I had just signed the papers on it I took it back to the dealer once it started. They put $500.00 would of repair work into it but that did not fix the problem. It happened again just after my 3 month warranty expired. It used to it every so often until recently it has been doing it a few times a day.
I have a 2004 chevy impala and security light blinks on and off. When it does this my car won't start I read online if I leave the cars key turned over for 10 minutes it will start but here lately its getting worse. I have read online and there are a lot of other people with the same make and the same model that are having the same problem. When hooked up to a computer it says nothing is wrong with it. I have talked to 2 different chevy dealerships and they just bring up hooking it up to a computer. I think it should be recalled if a lot of people are having the same problem. Here's other compliments that I have found online. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/chevrolet/impala/2004/electrical/wont_start_security_light_comes_on.shtml.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Speedometer and tach quit working. Would not reset to 0. All other gauges continued to work. Saw there was a recall on the product for other model years but not on the 2004. Dealer said it is not typical but a simple search on line showed a substantial number of complaints. Gm got reimbursed by their provider for malfunctioning gauge motors but this was not passed onto the car owners? How can that happen?
Last july the dash lights and interior panel lights stopped working. They could be made to work intermittently by wiggling the headlamp switch and / or banging on the instrument panel. Last night my son was driving home at approximately 9:30 pm on a 4 lane secondary road at approximately 45 MPH in moderate traffic and all of the headlamps went out with no warning, leaving him unable to see the road ahead. He ran over a curb, but was able to maintain control of the vehicle and bring it to a stop in a nearby parking lot. He and his passengers (2) were very shaken emotionally. The car was left there overnight. When it was picked up during the daylight hours today, the headlights were working again. After driving it home and turning the headlights on and off manually, they quit again. They could be made to work intermittently by wiggling the dimmer switch / turn signal lever on the steering column. I called the chevrolet dealership nearby and was told that this was a common problem and the part was over $500. I believe this to be a severe safety problem if this is common to these vehicles, as my son and his passengers could have been seriously if not fatally injured had the circumstances been different.
Approximately a year ago my temperature gauge and gas gauge quit working. I was not too concerned because I knew how many miles I could go on a full tank of gas so I just judged my gas by my mileage counter. Now this evening my speedometer quit working. While completely stopped, with the engine turned off it said that I was going 30 MPH. When I was driving, the needle seemed to "jerk" a lot. Also recently my car seems to be sluggish or act like it is going to stall. I have also had some occasions when my car won't start after just turning the key off. If I wait a little while or overnight then it will start like nothing was wrong. I am very concerned because my 17 year old also drives this vehicle and I have to do a lot of highway driving.
On several occasions I have been stranded because my car will not start. It apparently has something to do with the security passlock system. When you insert the key nothing happens. It is as though it does not recognize your key as a valid key. The system prevents the car from starting even though all the other systems, radio, lights, electric windows and doors are still functional but it is as though it does not recognize that the car is in park or neutral and does not allow it to start. After several minutes it usually starts. I have taken it to the dealership where I purchased it and after running the diagnostic testing on it tell me they can find nothing wrong with it. They say "unable to duplicate customer concern". Since the problem happens occasionally I am sure they cannot duplicate. I have found on line that there was a technical service bulletin #40847003 dated 9/1/04 on this problem and that the same diagnostic service codes of b2958 and 2960 are reflected on the bulletin. I also reviewed the first 200 complaints on this site and see that 26 of those 200 were for this same matter. I am sure there are many more in the remaining 545 complaints. If chevrolet knew this was a problem in the year this car was sold 2004 shouldn't a recall have been done at that time when the car was under warranty? Can a recall not be done on this continuing problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that the speedometer and the tachometer was inoperable. The contact also stated that the speedometer constantly displayed 30 MPH and the tachometer constantly displayed 1000 RPM. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who test drove the vehicle but was unable to locate a failure and stated that the vehicle was functioning properly. The manufacturer was notified who stated they needed more than one hundred complaints on the website before issuing a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that when driving at any speed, the tachometer would not provide a reading. After time progressed, the fuel gauge and the speedometer began provided inaccurate readings. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
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....
Vehicles gauges do not work@! Some are stuck and work periodically or not at all. False readings for speed, fuel and temperature. Contacted the dealer about recalls and there are none although I have read hundreds of complaints about the same thing. This car drives highway every day and this is very dangerous. I was told that it is a problem with the instrument cluster that is well know an cost $600 to fix. This is unacceptable.
Every now and then you go to start the car it won't do anything. All the lights, radio, everything comes on as normal but when you turn the key over to start it won't do nothing, click, or anything. One time we left the car over night, locked up, the next day it started like nothing was wrong. Another time I let the car sit for 15 mins and it started fine. Then another time, I kept trying every 10 to 15 mins for an hr but nothing. Then let it sit for 25 to 30 mins then nothing but I left the key in on position for a couple minutes while all the lights ran and then it started fine. Some people say its the starter, ignition or even the security. A lot of people have had this problem there's even videos of people complaining. Id say that there's something that needs to be looked into so everyone w these vehicles know what's wrong. Thanks
My 2004 chevrolet impala ls has a bad security lock system. I go to start car and it won't start I have to wait 15-20 min. For it to start and its becoming more frequent.
While driving in heavy traffic, it just stops running. My husband puts the car in neutral and is able to start it back up again. It has done it a few times since that occurrence. This could result in a very serious situation if the car stalls in an intersection and won't restart. The car also has a security issue that prevents us, as the owner from starting it. This has been an ongoing problem from the purchase date. If you turn on the ignition and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, it will start up. We now leave the car running when filling the car with gas because we have had to sit and wait for it to restart at the pump. This could cause a very serious problem also. If you go on line, you will see numerous complaints about both of these problems. We bought this car used and knew we would be responsible for some issues, but not this, it should be a recall issue. We have had to replace the rack and pinion (very costly) all new brakes and rotors, all new tires, and some other minor issues. I feel, as do numerous other gm owners, this is a factory defect in the security system (passlock key system), causing both problems. Anyone having this problem, should be able to take the car to the dealership and they should have to fix it at no cost to the owner of the vehicle. I took it to the dealership just after we purchased it and he said he would have to replace the ignition and something else at a cost of almost $800. I am certain this can be taken care of by rerouting wiring in the security system at a very minor cost, or just resetting the computer system. Any assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated.
I have been having issues with my speedometer sticking the past few months. My husband took my car in to our local chevy dealership and was told we need to replace the instrument control panel which would cost around $600. Not happy with the fact that we will have to shell out this kind of money for a faulty factory part, I contacted the chevrolet customer complaint line. I was told by the complaint line that they could not do anything for us at this time. I have read many complaints in regards to the same issues from the following link: http://www.automotiveforums.com/t752665-discuss2004_impala_speedometer_problems.html it sounds like there should have been a factory recall on this issue a long time ago. Apparently it is going to take an accident or death in order for chevrolet to make this right. The government just bailed out gmc not to long ago; however, gmc can't step up and fix this. What kind of business does this to their customers. I informed chevrolet that I will no longer buy their vehicles. No wonder everyone is buying foreign these days.
When applying the bright headlights, all exterior and dash lights go out. Very scary! When operating switch again lights return, but have dim headlamps only. This has happened several times. Now only drive with dims on until I can afford the repair. Not safe!
Speedometer does not display accurate miles per hour. While driving, the odometer went to about 60 MPH, when I was going about 40 MPH and I tried to decrease the speed by depressing the brake pedal but it remained at 60 MPH. I came to a traffic light and stopped, then I noticed that the speed was at 10 MPH while setting still. I asked another person to drive the car to see if the same type of thing was happening with the speed odometer, and it was. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. The mechanic said he reset the odometer and said if that did not work, a part will need to be replaced. That worked about two weeks, and the same thing started all over again. I am afraid to drive the vehicle because I can not tell how fast I am driving. Which poses a safety hazard.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while attempting to turn on the vehicle, the ignition failed to recognize the key. The contact would have to wait approximately 10 minutes before the ignition would recognize the key. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000 and the current mileage was approximately 183,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the speedometer and fuel gauges both failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the cluster inside the instrument panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 98,186.
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