TroubleCAR
59
Trouble

2004 Chevrolet Impala

Complaints: 1072Avg mileage: 78,828 miSince: Feb 2004
CrashFire42 injured

Problem Areas

Electrical System
407
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
252
Engine
71
Exterior Lighting
69
Steering
51
Vehicle Speed Control
38
Service Brakes
36
Unknown or Other
29
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
29
Engine and Engine Cooling
28

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 25, 2014BRODNAX, VA
Crash1 injured

TL* 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.

SERVICE BRAKES
297,336 miOct 8, 2014CONCORDIA, MO
Crash2 injured

CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004, TRAVELING ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, AT 65MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL, 2 ADULT PASSENGERS USING SEATBELTS, DRIVER SAW TRUCK ENTERING THE INTERSECTION FROM THE DRIVERS RIGHT SIDE. THE DRIVER ACCELERATED AND SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE IMPALA WAS STRUCK BY THE TRUCK. SKID MARKS WERE MADE ON THE HIGHWAY BY THE TIRES OF THE IMPALA FROM THE IMPACT TO WHERE THE IMPALA STOPPED AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE DRIVER WORKED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK TO RESTART THE IMPALA IN ORDER TO MOVE THE IMPALA TO A SAFER POSITION ON THE HIGHWAY, OUT OF THE LANES OF TRAFFIC. UPON STOPPING THE DRIVER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. THE KEY WAS NOT ON A KEY RING. THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE FOB AND KEY RING UPON RECEIVING THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE, GM RECALL 14350. THE HAZARD BLINKERS WERE TURNED ON. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER MOVED TO THE ADJACENT FRONTAGE ROAD. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK CALLED THE LOCAL POLICE. THE DRIVER OF THE IMPALA CALLED 911. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES AND THE SKID MARKS ON THE HIGHWAY, MADE BY THE IMPALA. NO SKID MARKS WERE VISIBLE ALONG THE PATH TRAVELED BY THE TRUCK. THE IMPALA HAZARD BLINKERS WERE TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE IMPALA. THE IMPALA DID NOT START. THE PASSENGER WORKED TO START THE IMPALA, THE DASH LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON, THE HEAD LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON. A WITNESS MOVED A VEHICLE INTO POSITION TO FACILITATE A "JUMP START", THE IMPALA STARTED, THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE IMPALA WAS DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE AND PARKED, ODOMETER READING 297336. ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPAIR HAVE YET TO BE DETERMINED. *TR

AIR BAGS
Sep 15, 2014EMPORIA, VA
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE WET ROAD SURFACE. THE DRIVER FAILED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK, HEAD, AND BACK INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT IT WAS NOT CONFIRMED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

AIR BAGS
160,000 miJul 16, 2014DEARBORN, MI
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND CRASHED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PAIN AND MILD BRUISING ON NECK, BACK, KNEE AND BOTH ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

AIR BAGS
12,000 miJul 4, 2014NORMAN, OK
Crash1 injured

I ENTER AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT. THE OTHER PARTY TURNED IN FRONT OF ME EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A RED TURN LIGHT. I HIT HIM HEAD ON INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS DOOR. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT IMPACT WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I SUSTAINED PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE IN BOTH MY HANDS AND ARMS. *TR

AIR BAGS
180,000 miJul 1, 2014LITTLE ROCK, AR
Crash2 injured

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA AN IN FEBRUARY WHILE DRIVING UP THA HIGH WAY MY KEYS JUST LIKE POPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR LOST POWER AND I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AT 60 MPH MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. ME N MY GIRLFRIEND WAS IN THE CAR . ON JULY 1ST I FIND OUT THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR I TRIED CONTACTING A FEW CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP COMPANIES NEAR ME AN I'VE BEEN DENIED ANY CAR REPAIRS. *TR

UNKNOWN
106,000 miApr 25, 2014FRANKLIN, PA
Crash1 injured

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ONE PERSON WAS INJURED WHICH REQUIRED MEDIAL TREATMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. KMJ

AIR BAGS
Apr 24, 2014UNKNOWN, VA
Crash1 injured

THE VEHICLE OWNER ALLEGES THAT HE HIT ANOTHER VECHICLE AT 60 MPH INJURIES WERE TO HIS BACK, LEG , HEAD AND CHEST. HIS HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY *BF UPDATED 08/14/14*LJ UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

AIR BAGS
8 miApr 22, 2014ROCKFORD, IL
Crash2 injured

WE WHERE RAN INTO ON DRIVER SIDE NO AIRBAG CAME OUT WE HAVE HAD LOTS OF STEERING PROBLEMS. AS OF TODAY THERE IS STILL PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND WE JUST WONT DRIVE ON HIGHWAY AT ALL. *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
126,000 miApr 11, 2014DOTHAN, AL
Crash2 injured

MADE STOP.CONTINUED,DID NOT SEE OTHER VEHICLE IT HIT OUR CAR IN SIDE&FRONT END. WE WERE HIT AT BY ANOTHER CAR,WHICH WAS TRAVELING AT EXTREMELY HIGHER SPEED. OUR AIR-BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE IGNITION TURNED ITSELF OFF LOCKING THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION,THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED OR TURNED EITHER ON OR OFF. *JS

AIR BAGS
110,000 miNov 9, 2011NEW ERA, MI
Crash1 injured

MY FATHER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE ALL THE SIDES AND FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN WHEN THE CAR HIT HEAD ON. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE? IT DOES NOT WORK SO WHAT IS IT THERE FOR? THANK GOODNESS HE HAD HIS SEATBELT ON OR HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. THE CHEVROLET COMPANY NEEDS TO REDO THEIR SAFETY FEATURES FOR THE AIRBAGS. MY HUSBANDS 1996 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 WAS TOTALED 4 YEARS AGO AND THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED IN THAT EITHER. THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEM DEPLOYING. *TR

SUSPENSION
Jun 21, 2011LORENA, TX
Crash1 injured

1) TRIED TO SLOW CAR DOWN. CAR WOULD NOT TURN NOR HALT. ENDED UP HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. RESTORED IT 100%. 2) A YEAR LATER, HAD 3 BRAND NEW RACK AND PINION'S REPLACED IN ONE MONTH. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT. THE A-FRAME IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND SO IS THE AREA SURROUNDING THE RACK AND PINON. HAVE PICTURES AND MECHANICS AS PROOF. 3) CALLED THE CHEVY COMPANY & WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN WISCONSIN. THEY CLAIM THEY SAW NO REASON TO HELP WITH THE RACK & PINION AS THOSE CARS WERE RECALL-FREE. 4) CAR LEANS TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT TIMES (THIS STARTED AFTER EACH RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED). THERE IS ALSO A 2 O'CLOCK AND 10 O'CLOCK DEAD ZONE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. STEERING USED TO FEEL A BIT NORMAL. IT WAS NOT LIKE THIS UNTIL I HAD A NEW RACK AND PINION PUT ON. TWICE (IN BETWEEN) THE BOOT WOULD EXCESSIVELY LEAK (AS DID THE ORIGINAL FROM CHEVY). 5) WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR MAKES KICK DRUMMING GRINDING SOUNDS. WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. IT IS IRRITATING THOUGH. 6) THE CAR DIDN'T EVEN HIT IT'S 5TH YEAR (BEING NEW) BEFORE IT STARTED TO RUST PAINT OFF THE TOP OF ITS ROOF. I LIVE WHERE THERE IS NO SNOW OR COAST, AND EXTREMELY LITTLE ICE. 7) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF. HAD IT CHECKED. WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. 8) WAS DRIVING RIGHT NEXT TO A COP GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 10 MPH. I CROSSED MY FINGERS THAT I WASN'T SPEEDING SINCE I KEPT MY SPEED NEXT TO THE OFFICER. REPLACED. 9) COMBO TURNING SIGNAL & CRUISE BROKE OFF THE STEERING FOR NO REASON DURING A TURN. REPLACED. 10) LOCKS ME OUT OFF & ON FOR NO REASON. 11) THIS CAR IS MY BABY AS IT WAS ONE OF THE LAST THING I GOT THAT WAS MY MOTHER'S BEFORE SHE DIED. IT IS ALSO MY FIRST CAR THAT HAS SEEN ME THROUGH (AND STILL) MY COLLEGE YEARS. IT IS VERY SENTIMENTAL TO ME FOR THOSE REASONS. MY DREAM IS TO KEEP THIS CAR EVEN WHEN IT'S A CLASSIC.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
125,000 miFeb 24, 2011ROCHESTER, NY
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START AND THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
80,000 miNov 23, 2009MEMPHIS, TN
Crash1 injured

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURIES TO MY CHEST AREA. *TR

AIR BAGS
Jul 24, 2009PALM SPRINGS, CA
Crash3 injured

I WAS COMING DOWN WESTBOUND ON RACQUET CLUB (CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CA) THE LIGHT WAS GREEN AS I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION. I WAS IN THE LANE CLOSEST TO THE CURB/SIDEWALK. I DO RECALL SEEING THE TRUCK COMING DOWN SOUTHBOUND FROM A FAR DISTANCE. I WAS HALF WAY ON THE INTERSECTION WHEN I SEE THE TRUCK COMING VERY FAST AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW IT HIT MY CAR IT SPUN ( I BELIEVE TWICE). THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY TWO KIDS WERE WITH ME. MY SON WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER SIDE AND MY DAUGHTER WAS IN HER CARSEAT SITTING BEHIND ON THE BACK ON THE RIGHT. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF MY ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE POLICE, AMBULANCE AND FIRE TRUCK CAME TO THE SCENE. MY SON AND I WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. MY SON WHO IS 11 BROKE HIS WRIST DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND BRUISES ALL OVER HIS BODY. MY DAUGHTER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND I HAD A CUT ON MY FOOT, MAJOR BRUISES ON MY CHEST AND MY LOWER ABDOMEN DUE TO THE SEATBELT. *TR

AIR BAGS
Feb 10, 2009DETROIT, MI
Crash2 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PUSHED HER INTO A METAL POLE. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER OCCUPANT WERE INJURED, ALTHOUGH BOTH WERE WEARING THEIR SEATS BELTS AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
51,000 miFeb 13, 2008MADISON, MS
Crash1 injured

COLLISION ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THEIR CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THEM AND KNOCKED THEM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BODY SHOP OWNER STATED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE WIRES TO THE AIRBAG HAD BEEN SLICED DURING THE ACCIDENT. FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, AND FENDERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. RADIATOR AND CONDENSER HAD TO BE REPLACED. BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SQUARED. ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED. *TR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
36,000 miAug 13, 2007BOWIE, DC
Crash1 injured

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR THIS CAR A FEW TIMES A YEAR. THE ROTORS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING WARPED WITH ORIGINAL GM ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. IN 2005, I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE WHEELS LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR AWAY FROM CRASHING INTO A CURB INSIDE A HEAVILY TRAVELED TUNNEL. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE WET ROADS DUE TO RAIN. HOWEVER, AFTER REPLACING ROTOR AND BRAKES CONSTANTLY, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT A NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL FOR BRAKES IN JUNE OF 2004. THE CAMPAIGN # IS 04V28700. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ISSUED FOR MY VIN#. I INFORMED THEM THAT THE NHTSA RECALL DID NOT SPECIFY PARTICULAR 2004 IMPALAS BUT THE WHOLE MODEL YEAR. THEY GAVE ME THE CASE #71-546836626 AND SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF A RECALL FOR MY CAR. WHAT CAN I DO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED? *TR

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
36,000 miMay 2, 2007WORCESTER, MA
Crash2 injured

TL-* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN A PICK UP TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED IT TO CRASH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER , A CHILD, WAS IN THE REAR SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DURING THE CRASH, THE REAR SEAT BELT DISENGAGED, AND HIT THE PASSENGER IN THE EYE, RESULTING IN A BLACK EYE AND A CONCUSSION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE REASON THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY OR WHY THE REAR SEAT BELT DISENGAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 36,000. *AK

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Feb 8, 2006ARVADA, CO
Crash1 injured

MY HUSBAND WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN A TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM. HE COULD DO NOTHING BUT HIT HIM ALMOST STRAIGHT ON (T-BONE). HE DID APPLY THE BRAKES AND WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT BUT STILL CRUSHED HIS STERNUM ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! HE HAS BEEN IN TERRIBLE PAIN AND WAS VERY RELIEVED HE DID NOT HAVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. ALTHOUGH I THINK HIS IS QUITE SERIOUS!*JB

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