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 bought 2004 Impala and have ignition problem with witnesses with a dent in front bumper, after ten years or over 100K miles the gasket goes on GM/GMC products, both inner tie rods rotten out. I have talk to GM executive office that fix the Impala problem in 2011 but unwilling to deal with it now. I think I need out side counsel and engineering firm to test and testify on my behave and3,700 other owners with the same problem. I want new vehicles and setting up a date with congressional oversight committee, and NHTSA review my case. I have met with congressional panel investigating GM that want to help me resolve this problem. I been a GM person but seriously looking in the foreign market if I have no serious resolution.
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.
Frequently, the ABS activates the brakes while in motion and no pressure is placed on the brake pedal. Usually the ABS light and traction control turn on afterwards and indicate they are now disabled. Sometimes the lights turn on when the engine is started. The dealer said the speed sensor was defective, so they were replaced twice, but this did not fix the problem. This portable had been ongoing for over 6 months.
I turned the key to start the car and was driving and my gas hand,speedometer and oil indicators just fell to the bottom of the circle. Instead of showing me the amount of gas I have the red needle falls behind the "e". The same is true for the speedometer,the needle just falls to the bottom,and the cold/hot indicator is at the bottom of the panel. Isn't this an electrical problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. After shifting into drive and pulling off at approximately 5 MPH, the service traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Come on now, I see the complaints on a bunch of things that is wrong with my 2004 Impala. An there is more than one person saying it. There seems like there is a serious problem here that you guys seem to be ignoring an refusing to fix. I think its about time for some people to get together and file some kind of lawsuit against you guys if you don't address these issues. Now for the same complaints for my Impala, number 1 it does not like to start sometimes and then I have to wait 20 mins to an hour just for it to finally start. Number 2 the security light stays on. Number 3 the gages to my speedometer and gas move all over the place and doesn't give me the accurate reading. Other experiences I've had noticed is that my brights don't always like to shut off the first time, the car pulls mainly to the right, but also back and forth. …
I have had my 2004 Impala into the shop three times now with regards to the traction light going on when I turned along with trac off and ABS warning lights going on. Initially the service lights would go on when turning right or left. The ABS would make a noise like it was cycling. Just last week on the highway the traction service light went on while driving at 60 MPH. I have had to stop and the brakes would pulsate with no braking capabilities then it would catch and I would be able to stop with pumping the brake. I almost had an accident. The first time a repair was made two weeks ago and replaced wheel hub assemblies on both front tires and front brakes were replaced. This is time frame went the brakes went out. I was told the back brakes were OK. The second time - the mechanic replaced the right bearing after the lights went on again after 5 days of driving. …
New 2004 Chevy Impala ls first use 3/23/05. Three times since purchase I've had to replace a wheel bearing & hub assembly. March of 2006 the right rear, January of 2008 the left rear, October of 2009 the right front. Each time the ABS and service traction system lights were on. I paid $636.31 this last time. This appears to be a poor design and a safety issue which could lead to the car being undriveable. I was told that the tires would begin to wobble and the steering would be affected if not repaired within a certain amount of time. I've seen on line I'm not the only one who has had a problem with this defect. I'm concerned that the 4th one will fail, or the other 3 that have been replaced will fail again. I am #1 concerned with my safety & the safety of others on the road. I am also concerned about the money I've had to pay because of this design defect.
Unsure if my 04 Impala is affected in the Takata recall because I haven't received notice.have recently had extensive repairs completed by a certified mechanic. And the ABS, trac, check and brake lights won't go off. The security light continues to come on and disables the car not allowing it to start. Causing me the be stranded unannounced and at any random time. Steering wheel tightens and loosens at random times. After researching past recalls before my ownership I am unsure if my car has had the recall issues addressed. My car has some type of manufacturer computer glitch but GMC doesn't want to own up to it. And I've kept all receipts on repairs I've covered. These issues have been on going since the estimated date entered below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the traction control grinds on the vehicle became inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal became difficult to depress as the instrument panel illuminated. The failure was persistent. The contact also stated that the vehicle leaked oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Traction Control complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 2% of the model year's 1,073 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.