Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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.
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.
Odometer 1120 miles - Chevrolet Impala ls - purchased new in June, 2004. Situation: as I was exiting the lie via the woodhaven blvd off ramp going westbound, I was going the recommended speed limit (20 miles per hour). As I was following the curve of the road, the steering wheel suddenly jerked to the left, directing the car towards the roadside curb. In turning the steering wheel to the right to correct, there was a lot of resistance and it was hard to turn. The front left wheel hit the curb. The car moved off the curb in the direction to the right. The car felt like it was grinding metal and slowed down considerably. Damage: my inspection of the car revealed that the front driver s side wheel was pushed back in its frame towards the rear of the car. The rim of the wheel was scratched and small chunks of the tire were ripped off. …
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. …
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. …
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. …
@ 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 owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle veered to the right and traveled into a ditch. As a result, the vehicle rolled over and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact received NHTSA campaign number 14v00000 (electrical system) and believed the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
After purchasing vehicle took it back to have steering checked because it did not feel or sound right when doing a braking and turning steering wheel combination. Mentioned the NHTSA recall of 2004 Impala. Was told did not involve ss. On this occasion was unable to stop the vehicle, unable to steer properly, could not control vehicle. It spiraled and hit a bus stop/pole.
Steering complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 6% of the model year's 1,073 complaints. The component named most often is column (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries to steering 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.