MYRModel Year Report

2004 Chevrolet Impala

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Chevrolet Impala
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,073
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

65% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 0 complaints 1985: 1 complaint 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 2 complaints 1994: 15 complaints 1995: 44 complaints 1995 1996: 88 complaints 1997: 1 complaint 1998: 2 complaints 1999: 4 complaints 2000: 818 complaints 2001: 742 complaints 2002: 795 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2004: 1,073 complaints 2004 1,073 2005: 609 complaints 2006: 524 complaints 2007: 627 complaints 2008: 810 complaints 2009: 824 complaints 2010: 441 complaints 2010 2011: 505 complaints 2012: 258 complaints 2013: 272 complaints 2014: 635 complaints 2015: 300 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 116 complaints 2018: 59 complaints 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 15 complaints 2020
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 0 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1987: 1 complaint 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 2 complaints 1994: 15 complaints 1994 1995: 44 complaints 1996: 88 complaints 1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 2 complaints 1999: 4 complaints 2000: 818 complaints 2000 2001: 742 complaints 2002: 795 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2004: 1,073 complaints 2004 1,073 2005: 609 complaints 2006: 524 complaints 2007: 627 complaints 2008: 810 complaints 2009: 824 complaints 2009 2010: 441 complaints 2011: 505 complaints 2012: 258 complaints 2012 2013: 272 complaints 2014: 635 complaints 2015: 300 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 116 complaints 2018: 59 complaints 2018 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 0 complaints 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1987: 1 complaint 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 2 complaints 1993 1994: 15 complaints 1995: 44 complaints 1995 1996: 88 complaints 1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 2 complaints 1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 818 complaints 2001: 742 complaints 2001 2002: 795 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2004: 1,073 complaints 2004 1,073 2005: 609 complaints 2006: 524 complaints 2007: 627 complaints 2007 2008: 810 complaints 2009: 824 complaints 2009 2010: 441 complaints 2011: 505 complaints 2011 2012: 258 complaints 2013: 272 complaints 2013 2014: 635 complaints 2015: 300 complaints 2015 2016: 111 complaints 2017: 116 complaints 2017 2018: 59 complaints 2019: 28 complaints 2019 2020: 15 complaints

2004: 1,073 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19822
19833
19840
19851
19871
19910
19920
19932
199415
199544
199688
19971
19982
19994
2000818
2001742
2002795
2003695
20041,073
2005609
2006524
2007627
2008810
2009824
2010441
2011505
2012258
2013272
2014635
2015300
2016111
2017116
201859
201928
202015

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

65% · 693 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My wife got into a wreck because chevy has not recalled these issues.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-09

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic and vehicle speed control

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-05

Also filed under Engine

The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-31

Exterior lighting

10% · 110 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and high/low beam dimmer switch.

CRASHFIRE

Service brakes

9% · 98 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-02

Also filed under Steering and air bags

Engine

7% · 71 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-19

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-07-29

Steering

6% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing column and pinion shaft.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 1,073 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-06-28Service brakes, hydraulic04V287000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2008-10-16Steering08E063000 Dorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (Sold under dorman's "Oe solutions" Brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2008. Owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "Oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" Brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-09-08Electrical system14V400000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2015-04-24Engine and engine cooling15V201000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 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.

    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 engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Chevrolet Impala — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 693 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 110 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 98 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V287000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08E063000 · Steering
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V400000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 15V201000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Impala reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chevrolet Impala is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 65% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Impala have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.