CarModelProblems.com

2004 Chevrolet Impala Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 5.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
1,072Complaints
7Recalls
44Crashes
21Fires
42Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (38% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System407 · 38%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel252 · 23.5%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Engine71 · 6.6%RecalledRecall 15V701000 · Recall 15V201000
Exterior Lighting69 · 6.4%No official action
Steering51 · 4.8%RecalledRecall 09E005000 · Recall 08E063000
Vehicle Speed Control38 · 3.5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE71 · 6.6%
STEERING51 · 4.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL38 · 3.5%
SERVICE BRAKES36 · 3.4%
Unspecified / other29 · 2.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC29 · 2.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 1,072 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 2015 · reported 10/26/2015

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 15V201000 · 2015 · reported 04/06/2015

The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 09E005000 · 2009 · reported 02/17/2009

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 08E063000 · 2008 · reported 10/17/2008

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 04V287000 · 2004 · reported 06/23/2004

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 TRAVE… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“2004 IMPALA HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.”NHTSA complaint 10145367 — filed 12/06/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

15320109343201269197201497532016371120189102020532022152025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 407 of 1,072 NHTSA complaints (38%), followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (252), engine (71), exterior lighting (69). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Impala have?

1,072 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 44 involved a crash, 21 involved a fire, and 42 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Impala have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V701000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.