Is the 2004 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
1,074 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impala years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala are in line with other Impala years. Electrical system and exterior lighting stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Impala owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 681 (63%) | 50k–98k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 104 (10%) | 61k–135k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 88 (8%) | 37k–128k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 63 (6%) | 40k–102k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 47 (4%) | 30k–98k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 41 (4%) | 42k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 37 (3%) | 51k–112k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 31 (3%) | 36k–126k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 18 (2%) | 56k–121k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 17 (2%) | 43k–79k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (1%) | 42k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (1%) | 8k–114k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 104 (10%) | 77k–133k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Stability control | 15 (1%) | 91k–153k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,074 complaints: 44 mention a crash · 21 mention a fire · 34 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I bought 2004 impala and have ignition problem with witnesses with a dent in front bumper, after ten years or over 100k miles the gasket goes on gm/gmc products, both inner tie rods rotten out.
After parking my car, I just happened to noticed smoke coming out from the front of car and I was fortunate enough to have a dry chemical fire extinguisher available to put out the flames.
While driving down the highway I saw some smoke or steam coming from under the right dash . I didn't know what it was , so I check my gauges and every thing looked ok , I continue to driving trying to make it to my mothers house.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala: 7
The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak. The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. 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.
A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
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. If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (Upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
Certain passenger vehicles were produced with lower than specified torque on both front brake caliper to steering knuckle attachment bolts. With improper torque, the clamp load at the joint may not be adequate to prevent movement between the caliper bracket and knuckle. 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…
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 137
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Neighbouring years
2003 Impala: 692 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2005 Impala: 609 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Impala year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Impala a bad year?
1,074 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impala years. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (681), exterior lighting (104), brakes (88), steering (63), transmission and drivetrain (47).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Impala have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Exhaust (NHTSA 15V-701), Engine (NHTSA 15V-201), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-400), Steering (NHTSA 09E005000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.