Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
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. …
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. …
The day I bought the car used, the lights went out on the way home. After complaining on a Chevy forum, I bought a used multifunction switch which I learned was a common problem in impalas and monti carlos. This year in spring (sorry I don't remember the exact date or miles) that part malfunctioned when on bright. The salvage yard was sold out in used switches because it was such a common defect and I couldn't afford a ne,w one. While driving on dim I hit two deer which caused $100s of dollars in damages. I complained Chevy said they knew it was a problem and that I would have to pay for the part myself. I paid over $300 to replace with my labor. Then my lights went out on dim. Chevy did the math, its cheaper to take the chance o someone dying and suing then to take away this money source for dealers
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the high beam headlights failed to illuminate. The contact also mentioned that two weeks later the high beam headlights illuminated independently and remained illuminated when the vehicle was powered off. The contact stated that the battery had to be disengaged in order to shut off the high beams headlights. The contact stated that there was a smoke emitted from the high beams switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the multi-function switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.
We were driving our 2004 Chevrolet Impala this evening and have been having issues for the past month with the headlights. The dim lights would not work at all, only the brights worked. This evening, we smelled something burning and suddenly the multifunction switch was smoking and on fire. We shut off the car and waved the fire out, luckily we got out safe. We now have no headlights and had to have the vehicle towed. I have seen that this is a problem with many impalas and Chevrolet needs to take action. Someone could be injured in an accident due to their lights failing or get injured because their car starts on fire. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the low beam head lights began to flciker and suddenly failed. The contact indicated that the high beam lights also would not turn on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head light switch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While operating the vehicle, the low beam and high beam lights failed to work. The contact had to maneuver the switch to get the low beams and high beams to work. The contact was concerned that the failure could happen again without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 98,270.
The headlights no longer work. High beams and low beams both work, but the regular headlights are no longer in service under any circumstance. Now, the low beams go on when the headlights used to go on. When I drive at night, I am forced to keep on the high beams. This has been the case for the last 2 weeks. It never had a problem like this before. It started right around the time the vehicle reached 150,000 miles driven.
Multifunction switch randomly fails to turn on low beam in motion and stopped. To operate the vehicle with some lights on at night, left hand has to hold down the high beam as it fails to stay on. Steering wheel must then be operated with only when hand. Replacing the the multi function switch fixes the problem until it fails again. Averaging 6 months between failures and have replaced the switch 3 times already.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving various speeds, the low beam head lamps failed to work. The contact had to apply the high beams each time the failure recurred. Also, the turn signals failed to work when applied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. Ma 10/19/2015
Headlight complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the lights of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 10% of the model year's 1,073 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.