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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,760 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chevrolet Impala engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Chevrolet Impala Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

Apr 012017

Impala

  • 131,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When backing out of the drive way and go to accelerate the ABS/traction control engages and causes the car to stop. It also happens on the road once U come to a stop and or stop and turn onto a street or highway. Almost got rear ended a few times. I read online at its happening alot to people all over. This problem is constant ever since I bought the car. Previous ower advised me of the problem as well.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #36

May 022017

Impala

  • 123,000 miles
Turned on my car started pushing on the gas my car made a weird vibration type sound. Came up on message board traction control after a couple times of it doing that, the ABS and tax light come on and on the message window it says system traction service. It kinda freaked me out cause I was stopped at a red light went to go hit the gas and it said traction control and I moved a little than I had to let go of gas then try again. Also have had a couple incidents where I go to break and it makes a vibration feeling on the brake and brings up traction control again. Really would like this checked out very concerned. Don't want to get in an accident cause my car fails to take off.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #35

Oct 202010

Impala

  • 6,900 miles
The instrument panel gages will not function, all indicators are facing downward and do not move. This happens when moving or standing still.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #34

Nov 192015

Impala

  • 225 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Security light comes on randomly, have to wait ten mins to start vehicle. Security light comes on while driving, my gas fuel gauge stopped working so I track the gas my miles.. first 20 miles struggles to go, first thought it was fuel pressure regulator to the fuel pump to tranny to alternator now it wont shift into gear and I don't know what to do one recall for the ignition is ridiculous

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #33

Jan 152015

Impala 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
I turned the key to start the car and was driving and my gas hand, speedometer and oil indicators just fell to the bottom of the circle. Instead of showing me the amount of gas I have the red needle falls behind the "E". the same is true for the speedometer, the needle just falls to the bottom, and the cold/hot indicator is at the bottom of the panel. Isn't this an electrical problem?

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

problem #32

Mar 122014

Impala

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the fuel gauge failed to provide the accurate reading level and the speedometer did not display the correct speed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge and the speedometer needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Dupo, IL, USA

problem #31

Feb 032015

Impala

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Today my car locked up and my steering locked up wheels and speed just my brakes was the only thing that worked. The car just shut off, not start back up. I was afraid because I had my children in the car.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #30

Jan 182015

Impala

  • 116,000 miles
Hello, I just purchased this vehicle from a used car dealer and drove it to work two days later. I work an hour away and take the turnpike....I noticed while I was driving that the speedometer was near 90, and when I pulled into my jobs parking lot I was near 40 mph...the parking lot's speed limit is 10 miles per hour with speedbumps so I knew something was wrong. When I got off of work my gas tank read past the full mark....I have been filling the tank every other day to prevent being stranded. I immediately called the dealer and he took a look at it. I purchased the car on 01/17/15 and today's date is 02/01/15 and I am still waiting to get the problem resolved. I've researched online and seen a lot Chevy Impala have this problem. Most notably 2001-2005 I would be eternally grateful if the matter can be resolved. Thanks, [xxx] P.S. there weren't specific options for the problems. They are:the gas gauge, speedometer, the whole panel....I found out this is called a cluster" or cluster panel" information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #29

Dec 012013

Impala 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Chevrolet Impala dealer has not received part for recall the consumer stated in December 2013, he began to experience a problem while driving on the interstate at 65 mph. The vehicle would lose power, including the speedometer dropping to zero. A local repair shop inspected the vehicle, and informed the consumer, the speedometer in the cluster had apparently gone bad. The cluster was replaced. However, the problem happened again. The consumer went to another shop and they stated the speed control sensor was not functioning properly. The part was replaced and the problem did not return.

- South Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #28

Sep 012014

Impala

  • miles
The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated to approximately 70-80 mph then seized without warning. As a result, the vehicle lost power steering causing the vehicle to crash into a guardrail. The contact sustained a cracked or broken rib, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and was deemed destroyed. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) after the crash. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Brodnax, VA, USA

problem #27

Jan 012012

Impala

  • 120 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. After starting the vehicle, it began to jerk and suddenly accelerated. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120.

- Beverly , NJ, USA

problem #26

Apr 142014

Impala

  • 182,373 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the key was hard to turn in the ignition. The vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 182,373.

- Lumberton, NC, USA

problem #25

Jul 072013

Impala

  • 132,617 miles
I bought car 2 yrs ago and drove it for 3 months no problems then sat for 6 months, I start driving it and this is all the stuff that went out and stuff still going on. Radiator temp sensor, water pump, heater, water pump bearing, instrument cluster, low coolant sensor, radiator, vss, key stuck in ignition, lock cylinder, 8 wires under hood shredded in half due to rubbing on belt, power lock wont work on driver side door, chimes go off when key not in ignition. My problem now is key locked up again finally got it to turn then anti theft system comes on and the car wont reprogram codes. My code reader says it cant read from car.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #24

May 172006

Impala 6-cyl

  • 9,000 miles
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 ?? / / / / /

- Springfield , VA, USA

problem #23

Sep 012010

Impala

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the speedometer failed. The speedometer would erroneously fluctuate between 0 and 70 mph. The contact, who was a certified mechanic, diagnosed the failure as a servo motor failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they were expecting a recall in the future for the failure. The manufacturer was also notified but offered little assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 96,000 and the current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

- Reedsburg, WI, USA

problem #22

Mar 252010

Impala 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
My wife got into a wreck because Chevy has not recalled these issues. My 2004 Impala ABS brakes malfunctioned along with my traction control, she tried to stop at a stop sign and the brake pedal kicked up and would not let her stop she removed her foot from the brake and tried pressing the pedal back down and it kicked up kicking in the ABS and traction control not allowing her to stop and she ran into a snow bank but my insurance paid for the body work but not the mechanical problems I replaced both hubs on the front, quit doing it for a week or so and then when I drive it the traction control and ABS kicks in while im driving down the road. Now my speedometer, tachometer and temp gauge are not workin at 0 RPM my car is doing 90 mph as it sits in my garage not starting because my key will not turn to start it my steering wheel will not lock and because I cant turn my key I can not put my car in neutral to push it out of my garage so I can get it towed I have read so many issues on these and other GM models I am surprised that there was no recalls when I called had this car for 4 years and nothing but problems and money so as my car sits in my garage as it will till these items get recalled I am not putting anymore money in this car I will drive my 98 infiniti that I have had for almost 10 years because I know its dependable. Never again GM will you get another cent from me I have never had this many problems with any car.

- Galion, OH, USA

problem #21

Jan 112011

Impala

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when starting her vehicle she noticed that the accelerator pedal would depress on its own and the rpms would increase excessively. The vehicle was inspected by seven independent mechanics who advised her that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her that she was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #20

Nov 132010

Impala

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 65 mph. She tried to stop the vehicle by pumping the brakes a couple of times until it finally started to decelerate. The vehicle was not inspected nor had it been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- Evarts, KY, USA

problem #19

Jul 112010

Impala

  • 76,000 miles
Speedometer stopped working. Sometimes it read 90 mph when the car was stopped. Sometimes it read the same thing (like 10 mph) all the time. I had no idea what speed I was actually going, presenting a safety hazard. Problem was gone the next day, but continues to be random and intermittent.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

problem #18

Mar 102010

Impala 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
While driving a consistent speed, speedometer will fluctuate from stuck at zero to 120mph. Happens constantly. Fuel gauge fluctuates also and doesn't always work. If using cruise control while speed appears correct, the Impala will automatically increase its own speed while the speedometer does not change leaving an unsafe opportunity open for very tragic accidents to happen. I cannot believe that my 2010 Pontiac vibe has had 3 recalls and this Impala has not had any for the instrument panel. Do people really have to die or be injured before something is done to protect us?

- Summersville, WV, USA

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