Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and then lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assisted by persons nearby to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. Two years ago, the contact noticed that the instrument panel lights dimmed without warning. Two days later, the contact smelled a burning odor and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a tune up. The failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was never the same after the tune up. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V400000 (electrical system) and 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 128,000. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
On 01/03/2017, on a busy snow packed intersection, when the light turned green, I was pushed off the road by a large pickup truck, into a curb, which curb is taller than my Impala's frame to ground clearance. My left front tire and rim were ruined. The driver of the pickup continued north leaving the scene of the accident. Prior to GM's bankruptcy, my Impala ss, which was made in Canada, is a rusty, poorly painted, hastily thrown together piece of junk. It needs many used parts with which to make needed repairs. Reasonably priced, quality used parts are impossible to locate.
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. …
First at buying my Chevy Impala it had 115,000mi on it already but desperately needed a car being a single mother. After having the car a little over a month the fuel injectors blew where my car would no longer start. Got it fixed. Next I had to keep putting power steering fluid in (once every week) went to a mechanic, he said my power steering is going to eventually go.. Next 2 months after that my car caught on fire through the lighter. Electrical. Called the fire dept. They had to cut the wires and pull the fuse. 2 months after that, my transmission blew. Just like that. I was driving on the high way and approached an accident. After coming to a complete stop tried to pick speed back up and it wouldn't go anymore than 15 MPH. I pulled off to a rest area, sat there for 30mins. Reversed out of the parking lot, put it in drive, it wouldn't budge... …
I have had issues with lights for the past 6 months. First started out where if I had my bright lights on every now and again all my lights would go off while driving. The bright lights wouldn't stay on so had to hold to keep them on. Then it came a period of time where all my lights would not work. On Friday, June 27th 2014, I was at work and happened to look out the window and noticed my lights were on. Went outside to see if car was dead. When I got in the car I could see that my steering column was smoking (on fire) coming from the turn signal switch. The bright lights had stuck to on somehow and this is why I could see that my llights were on. I unhooked the battery and the smoking stopped. When I went to hook battery back up there wasn't any more smoking but my windshield wipers were going as fast as they could and I couldn't switch or do anything to make them stop. …
I called Chevrolet customer service about a recall on the car. I explained the problem with the ignition switch and I were told it was covered under the recall #14V400000 electrical system: ignition. They had it towed to a Chevrolet service place to be fixed. I received a call that the problem was not covered under the recall and I was responsible for all charges of the work done on the vehicle. A key was made under the recall and the ignition key lock cylinder was not replaced. I paid the bill and had it towed back. The man that delivered it put the key in the ignition and it would not come out or turn. I do not feel I should be responsible for charges and they needed to change the ignition key lock cylinder. The car was in the driveway and when a person went to start the car the key would not turn and would not come out of the ignition switch. …
Hello, I just purchased this vehicle from a used car dealer and drove it to work two days later. I work an hour away and take the turnpike....I noticed while I was driving that the speedometer was near 90, and when I pulled into my jobs parking lot I was near 40 MPH...the parking lot's speed limit is 10 miles per hour with speedbumps so I knew something was wrong. When I got off of work my gas tank read past the full mark....I have been filling the tank every other day to prevent being stranded. I immediately called the dealer and he took a look at it. I purchased the car on 01/17/15 and today's date is 02/01/15 and I am still waiting to get the problem resolved. I've researched online and seen a lot Chevy impalas have this problem. Most notably 2001-2005 I would be eternally grateful if the matter can be resolved. Thanks, [redacted] p.s. There weren't specific options for the problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact turned off the high beam headlights and the electrical system failed without warning. The contact had to park the vehicle and manipulate the high beam switch on the steering column in order for the lighting/electricity to return. In addition, the vehicle received a recall repair for the ignition key where the key was replaced. Afterwards, when the key was in the ignition and turned, the vehicle failed to start. Once the vehicle was started and the key was in the on position, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact had to manipulate the key in the start position several times in order to start the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the switch on the steering column and body control module failed and needed to be replaced. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
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 also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
Electrical complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 681 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 63% of the model year's 1,073 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (252 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Impala electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 8 fires and 6 injuries to electrical system 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.