Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. The car cut itself off and I shift to n and roll into the driveway. I got out went into the house for a couple of min. When I return the car was smoking , I dash water on top of the hood but the smoke turn into flames that's when I called 911. Help came and was able to put the fire out.
My wife got into a wreck because Chevy has not recalled these issues. My 2004 Impala ABS brakes malfunctioned along with my traction control , she tried to stop at a stop sign and the brake pedal kicked up and would not let her stop she removed her foot from the brake and tried pressing the pedal back down and it kicked up kicking in the ABS and traction control not allowing her to stop and she ran into a snow bank but my insurance paid for the body work but not the mechanical problems I replaced both hubs on the front, quit doing it for a week or so and then when I drive it the traction control and ABS kicks in while im driving down the road. …
My 2004 Impala has the ABS light on. It sounds and feels like the ABS is coming on while driving. The steering felt odd. I was right by my house so I shut it off and turned back on and drove it the block home. I tried driving it around the block the next day and the same thing happened. I am finding many people posting the same thing on the intranet. Many crashes.I called Chevy and we read / located the same recall, from 6/14/04 #04049. We in turn called the dealership, and after many days, calls, finally got my car in. They just called saying there is no recall on my specific Impala. It is doing exactly what all the other people/crash victims talk about. I called Chevy back and they said it goes by state. I guess I am suppose to drive it until it crashes and there is an injury/death before they decide that there are more Impala's out there with the same problem that need the recall. …
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?
@ 65mph traffic came to a slow down,I had plenty of space 2 stop if I had 2 in my lane. I applied the brakes & the wheels locked up & was skidding out of control,it surged into the lane left of me & the rear slid over where I was sideways. I tried to control my steering but it would not respond,then it went into the lane right of me nearly missing a truck it shot over to the right lane and was now on the shoulder where I still had no control of any steering at all.then the car slammed into a concrete retaining wall and finely the car stopped.the air bags driver and passenger never inflated. Damage to the front end was a total loss including the hood,both right and left side fenders had crunched, the driver and passenger doors bent then the battery died.I already replaced a battery three weeks ago from some kind of electrical system was malfunctioning.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to apply excessive force to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there was a leak coming from the driver rear side of the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the brake fluid warning light previously illuminated and the vehicle was inspected by the independent mechanic who replenished the brake fluid. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000. Updated 04/07/15 the brake lines were leaking and corroded and rusted. Updated 06/04/15
I've owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala for the past 7 years. Every year or so my ABS, service traction system, and track off lights usually during a non-event situation. I put my brakes on and they lock and all of a sudden all my lights are on. I've spent a lot of money constantly fixing this problem. Everyone else with an Impala seems to have constant issues with this as well. I'm now being asked to completely change out my ABS module & controller for a whopping $3K on a vehicle with only 130K miles after already spending thousands of dollars over the years for ABS/traction issues. This is clearly a persistent safety issue which is costing Impala owners an arm and a leg and needs to be looked into. I've owed many vehicles with much higher mileage and never had issues like this before.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact was driving 50 MPH when the brakes engaged independently. The contact was able to pull off the road and into a shopping center where a small fire erupted in the vehicle. The fire was extinguished and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the contact was advised that the brakes had become extremely hot and caused the fire. The brake pads, rotors, calipers and hoses were replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding a recall under NHTSA campaign I.d. Number: 04V287000 (service brake, hydraulic) but the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 166,032.
Faulty/worn ignition switch in this vehicle will generate the following issues: (determined through trial and error due to chronic electrical issues:) 1). Engagement and disablement of ABS system because of lack of good power to the system from the ignition switch circuit. 2). Entire loss of directional system(turn signals) again because of lack of good power to the system from the ignition switch circuit. These two situations lead to vehicle that is unsafe to drive at the time of the failure which May happen stationary or while in motion. These issues were intermittent and would happen at any time. Ignition switch in a vehicle should not generate issues such as this.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Remedy: Dealers are to tighten both bolts to the specified torque. Owner notification began on June 28, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac 1-800-620-7668.
Brake complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 8% of the model year's 1,073 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-287 (service brakes, hydraulic, Jun 23, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Impala brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 3 fires and 8 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.