2004 Chevrolet Impala: engine overheating

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Engine · 120,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. While driving at an unknown speed, the engine overheated and the temperature warning light illuminated. While checking the oil drip, the contact noticed that the oil had a milky appearance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the head gasket had blown and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2015 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. After starting the vehicle, the temperature gauge warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket was overheating and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2015 · Engine · MO

Intake manifold gasket. Why are the defected? There are so many complaints about faulty ones and still you have not changed to better gaskets. First the heat goes and then the car overheats for no apparent reason. Changed the water pump and thermostat. Now the gasket. For the price you pay for this car it should not have to cost me another 800 to 1200 more for a part you can fix with changing your product you use. I have own gmc products for over 20 years and this is my first complaint about them. Just because I am having problems with my impala will not keep me from telling people that gmc has good cars. Just wish this problem will fixed for future owners. Would hate to be called a liar. One of our gmc's is a 78 sierra classic which was bought brand new in 77.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Engine · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet impala. While driving 40 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine and the radiator overheated. The vehicle failed to shift out of park. The contact was able to merge the vehicle to the side of the road and poured water into the radiator. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Engine · 192,000 miles · PA

My vehicle recently started having issues with overheating. As soon as it would warm up the gauge would go the whole way past the hottest possible temp on the dash. My hot coolant temp light would come on and then I would have to pull over and turn the car off to let it cool. I took it to a mechanic who said that I would have to replace the head gaskets and intake gaskets. He researched it and said that he found that impalas from 20003-2007 had problems with the engines because of an additive that was put in the engine. I paid him over 1000 dollars to fix the issue because before I took it to him I took it to a different mechanic who said it was the radiator so I got that fixed which cost me close to 500 dollars. So even after I got both of these problems fixed my car still overheats.

Filed Jan 21, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 200,000 miles · WA

Engine hesitates,stalls, and shifts hard. Had to replace ignition switch and lock cylinder, heat sensor, fuel cap, reprogram antitheft, water pump, always getting bubbles in tires, gauges dnt work, puddle on pass side, heater core, 2 sets of warped rotors, traction control(ABS) keeps going off, found wires under hood chaffed( by rubbing on belt I believe)which caused no start. New problems are lights on dash and head lights will turn off at night while driving, I have a coolant leak which I think its due to blown gasket, and tonight I am driving in fog and my front window fogs up in 2 seconds. I wiped w hand and realized I was heading towards a person walkn. Way to dangerous!!!!! I have had car for only 2 yrs. I am divorced w 3 kids and 1 special needs child w lots of appts. I need a reliable car, cant afford new car or a shop to fix car. I have had to become a mechanic cause of this car and I have no time for that, thank god for internet, I wnt take kids in car after dark, it unreliable and thats sad. Please look into issues.

Filed Jun 23, 2013 · Engine · 182,000 miles · MS

Was driving down the highway and car started to slow down. No temperature light came on but car started to smoke a little underneath hood. Stopped car at an empty lot, and had it towed to a garage. They said my engine had overheated and needed a new head gasket. It had previously had a head gasket put on it about a year ago, so this would have been the second one. Mechanic advised me not to have a second head gasket job but instead advised me to get another engine for the car.

Filed May 14, 2013 · Engine · 98,000 miles · FL

Chevy impala 2004 ls- the vehicle is stopping completely while driving or sitting at intersection. There is no warning, no message, it just dies. The steering goes when this happens so I cannot even get off the road. Then there are times that the car will not start at all and I have been stranded. Eventually after about 20 minutes the car will start- I have already replaced the starter but the problem still exists. I have had the car checked out at 2 different shops (firestone) and they cannot find the problem. There are no codes coming up. They are completely perplexed. Chevy states their mechanics are better. Also the cluster panel is gone and chevy is aware of the problem but they only recalled certain models and did not include the impalas. I have 2 estimates regarding fixing this problem but the quotes are $500.00. I do not feel that I should have to pay for this when chevy knew they had this problem with cluster panels and omitted the impalas in their recall. So, to recap: the car dies in traffic (almost hit twice), I do not know how much gas I have, how fast I am going, or if the car is overheating. In dealing with chevy I was told to take the car to a chevy dealership. They gave me a place that is 2 1/2 hours house away from my home. I was also told that I would have the honor of paying for the diagnostics. In researching this problem, I have pulled up several complaints from other chevy impala 2004 owners that are experiencing the same multiple problems. I also noticed that most of the complaints are stating that the same issues occurred at approx. The same mileage as mine. I have discussed this with chevy customer service and basically that was ignored. This car is hazardous to drive and potentially will cause bodily harm. Dealing with chevy is pointless. All they can think of is how much money their defects will bring in.

Filed Jun 12, 2012 · Electrical · 43,000 miles · MI

Was driving vehicle and the temp gauge went all the way to overheat, shortly after that the gas gauge started to work only intermittantly, and the speedometer has some issues with registering the proper speed.

Filed Jun 26, 2011 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · IN

My dash cluster is malfunctioning. It says my car is overheating. Had it worked on and after found it was a known cluster problem. The speedometer is not accurate and I got pulled over for speeding. Next the cruise control went out. Now the gas gauge is next. Checked on line and gm is aware of these issues but has done nothing. Repair bill is around 500.00 dollars. Seems unfair to me. Will be traveling on interstate soon hope no one gets hurt due to speed/engine over heating and not knowing/running out of gas on a busy interstate. I thought I bought a dependable car...guess I was wrong.

Filed Mar 25, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 40,000 miles · ME

Event: use the brakes. Failure: front end shakes. Repair: replace rotors. Event: drive at any speed. Failure: speedometer gone haywire, says your going 20 when you are going 70? Repair: rebuilt instrument cluster. Event: any time engine running. Failure: temp gauge haywire. You pull over thinking your car is overheating; it's not. Repair: rebuilt instrument cluster. Event: any time engine running. Failure: fuel gauge haywire. Don't know how much fuel you have, could run out of gas (did not happen to me). Repair: rebuilt instrument cluster. Event: using blinkers. Failure: blinkers either don't work when activated, or flash randomly. Repair: replace blinker/hazard module. Event: turning ignition key failure: no crank, no start - security light on. Wait a while, car starts like nothing happened. Repair: bypassed and disabled security 'passlock' switch. Event: using wipers/rain. Failure: windshield wipers stop in middle of windshield, continue after turning off, or don't come on when switch turned on. Repair: replace wiper motor & pulse board. Event: stop at intersection with engine running failure: engine surging and stalling. You must keep your foot planted on the brake so that you don't run into the car in front of you. It stalled out of state in an intersection. Repair: replace mass air flow sensor (maf). This most recent maf problem was the last straw. This car has other non-safety related electrical problems, as well as the normal wear items that you would replace on a 'real car'. This car is a rolling electrical disaster. This car is a money pit, just like its manufacturer. Good luck with that chevy volt.

Filed May 4, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 58,000 miles · 00

Now at 117,000 kms. Or past my five year warranty. Since 88,000kms. Have complained several times about temp gauge very out of whack on highway trips, lead me to believe severely overheated, but no message from car, just gauge going almost 90 degrees past "danger point " of gauge. In last two years temp gauge replaced three times. Obviously not the problem. Returns to normal function in city or short haul driving. Stop frequently, and under hood check shows no signs of overheating. Conclusion- electrical, sensor, problem and dealer keeps coming up with costly new equipment fixes which do not work. Now they want to blame a water pump leak and gaskets, although reservoir carefully watched by me. No leaks there. Have never had to add fluid, although I keep it always in car-that is the dexcool-water mix. Never down lower than recommended, and the dealer wants to give me a new water pump and take 1000-1200 out of my pocket. They have never mentioned the temp sensor, or any other fix. Travel on mountain highways 3 times per year, gauge now gone way over the top 6-8 times. Always stop. No sign ever of hose, radiator, water, lowered reservoir, or computer messages as per manual. Have read of numerous similar problems of this make and model, the 04 chevy impala ls, always gauges. In my case I will not approve another temp gauge "fix" and now speedometer is acting up as well, just like other drivers reported.