Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Chevrolet Impala problems
Owners filed 1,073 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala with NHTSA between Feb 2004 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (681).
Complaints
1,073
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
43
Reported by owners
Fires
21
Reported by owners
Injuries
41
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system681
- Exterior lighting104
- Engine72
- Steering63
- Service brakes, hydraulic51
- Power train47
- Vehicle speed control41
- Service brakes37
- Engine and engine cooling36
- Air bags31
- Fuel system, gasoline19
- Structure18
- Equipment17
- Electronic stability control (esc)15
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
23
29
31
84
183
138
139
76
35
44
129
68
43
23
6
7
6
3
1
0
1
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 23 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 31 |
| 2007 | 84 |
| 2008 | 183 |
| 2009 | 138 |
| 2010 | 139 |
| 2011 | 76 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2013 | 44 |
| 2014 | 129 |
| 2015 | 68 |
| 2016 | 43 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
681 reports8 crashes8 fires1 related recall
“Cars acceleration causes me to be unable to pick up speed it decelerates up hills small or latg ramps cats constantly fly pass to avoid a multi car pile up it’s very dangerous!”
Exterior lighting
104 reports1 crash3 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS FAILED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE BEING OPERATED AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 260,000.”
Engine
72 reports3 crashes11 fires
“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. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assisted by persons nearby to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.”
Steering
63 reports12 crashes2 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
51 reports6 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES CORROSION. CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE CORRESPONDENCE LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH THE FLOOR BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. *JS”
Power train
47 reports1 fire
“I HAVE A 2004 IMPALA AND I'M NOTICING THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT IN IT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION MESS UP A WHOLE LOT IN THESE TYPE OF CARS WHY IS THAT AND WHY DID Y'ALL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.