Problems · by component

2004 Chevrolet Impala steering problems

63 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala cite steering, 6% of all 1,073 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
63
6% of all complaints
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Steering, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11768570
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2021Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11388766
“WELL THE CODE WAS TELLING ME TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CURRENT ONE IS RATHER LOOSE AND DOESN'T TURN OFF ALL THE WAY WITH OUT A LITTLE EXTRA WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND NOW MY STEERING WHEEL IS LEANING AND PULLING TO THE LEFT OUT OF NOWHERE. AND THESE ALL HAPPEN SITTING STILL OR MOVING. NOT SO BAD ON THE HIGHWAY BUT CITY STREETS ARE HELL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11301728
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, LUCKILY ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS SO FAR. I GOOGLED IT AND FOUND TONS OF PEOPLE SAYING THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEIR IMPALA. NOT COOL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2019Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11190613
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09E005000 (STEERING) AND 08E063000 (STEERING) WERE REFERENCED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2018SteeringODI 11153712
“I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM. WHEN I MAKE SHARP TURNS THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, AFTER THIS LIGHT COMES ON IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND MAKES IT HARD TO STOP AND EVEN SLIDES SOMETIMES. I HAVE REPLACED ALL SPEED SENSORS AND REPLACED THE WIRES AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2016Steering, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 10873143

Showing 6 of 63 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Steering

Free remedy

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 REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000

Steering

Free remedy

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 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

SteeringReported Oct 17, 2008NHTSA 08E063000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.