Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While the vehicle was stationary, flames appeared under the hood. A police report was filed. The local fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries sustained. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to hobson Chevrolet Buick GMC (655 w southview dr, martinsville, in 46151, [phone]) where it was determined that the fuel line caused the fire; however, the contact was not informed of what needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
My ignition switch has a recall that sometimes takes forever to get key to turn over, the steering shaft and knuckles also have a recall that make me drift and slide on dry roads, engine and cooling system as well has recall.
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. …
My mechanic has been doing a lot of work on this car for the past month trying to figure out why my car completely powers off if I am driving on the road. After taking the diagnostic test again for the 3rd time it says we need two 02 sensors replaced and a new mass airflow sensor. Once we turned the key into the ignition the car began to smoke and burst into flames we pulled the keys out of the ignition and the fire department arrived and tried to put the fire out but gas leaked out and made a huge fire. The car tried to start up and we did not have the keys in the car the fire department had to cut my car battery out because it would not go out. Fortunately my fiance' and I made it out of the car alive. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, there was a fuel odor coming from outside of the vehicle. The failure recurred on several occasions while the vehicle was parked on an inclined surface. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling), however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I bought the car used at dealership in rochester ny it had around 128000 when bought it died out at about 131,000 they claimed that the car was fully inspected was a total failure had to spend a 1000 plus dollars at good year to months after bought had no heat [redacted] heads could fix it I want my money back for the car I way over pay I paid 5300 with taxes and sitting in my drive way dead... The call the deaker no response I have warranty but they wont answer or do work.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the fuel gauge failed to provide the accurate reading level and the speedometer did not display the correct speed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge and the speedometer needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Security light comes on randomly, have to wait ten mins to start vehicle. Security light comes on while driving, my gas fuel gauge stopped working so I track the gas my miles .. First 20 miles struggles to go, first thought it was fuel pressure regulator to the fuel pump to tranny to alternator now it wont shift into gear and I don't know what to do one recall for the ignition is ridiculous
2004 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer writes in regards to fuel lines and brake lines corrosion. Consumer has another vehicle correspondence listed in artemis. The consumer stated both the floor brakes and emergency brakes failed. No warning lights illuminated prior to the failure.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle caught fire in the dashboard area and then spread to the hood. The fire occurred two to three months after the vehicle was purchased. A relative sustained injuries to the hand due to the fire. The cause of the failure was electrical. There is no fire or police report. The vehicle was repaired, but the contact does not know the specifics of the repair work. Three months after the repairs were completed, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began vibrating when the brakes were depressed. This failure occurred while driving 20 MPH or more. The brakes and the disc were replaced and aligned. The failure continued to occur and the brakes were replaced within a month. The mechanic stated that the disc failed which caused the brakes to fail. The contact detects the smell of fuel within the vehicle. …
Fuel System complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 3% of the model year's 1,073 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Impala fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion 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.