2004 Chevrolet Impala: common problems and reliability

The 2004 Chevrolet Impala has 1071 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and exterior lighting. Owners most often flag transmission failure — complete failure or severe slipping, particularly in high-mileage examples (e.g., over 200,000 miles). frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 2004 model year

1,071
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
43
Crash reports
21
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

electrical system
681
exterior lighting
104
service brakes
88
engine
71
steering
62

Recalls affecting the 2004 Impala

engine and engine cooling:engine

Campaign 15V701000

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 ve…

engine and engine cooling:engine

Campaign 15V201000

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 manufactur…

electrical system:ignition

Campaign 14V400000

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. The key fob (if applicable), should a…

steering

Campaign 09E005000

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 VARIO…

What owners say across generations

Owner sentiment is highly fragmented across generations, with no single dominant consensus. For classic models (1959, 1963, 1994-1996 SS), sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, centered on iconic styling, collectibility, and performance (e.g., 409 V8, LT1 V8).

  • Transmission failure — Complete failure or severe slipping, particularly in high-mileage examples (e.g., over 200,000 miles). Frequency: recurrent.
  • Engine mechanical problems — Head gasket failures on 3.5L and 3.9L V6 engines; oil leaks; timing component failures; oil pressure issues related to switches and filter housing gaskets. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Electrical and starting issues — Intermittent no-start conditions with clicking noises; battery and alternator failures; systems resetting (time/date) during starting problems. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Erratic idle and stalling — Caused by faulty Idle Air Control (IAC) valves, mass airflow sensors (P0102 code), or EGR-related issues (P1404 code). Frequency: recurrent.
  • Oil consumption and leaks — Very common, cited as a typical issue requiring regular attention. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Impala.

Typical used price

Used Impala listings typically run $10,010–$14,887 across 2002 to 2020 model years.

Other Impala model years

2015 Impala2013 Impala2012 Impala2009 Impala2008 Impala2006 Impala
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