Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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... …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. After releasing the brake pedal and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to shift into the correct gear and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that this was a known issue with the Chevrolet Impala's transmission. The contact stated that he adjusted his driving habits over the years due to the transmission failure. Recently, while parking in the driveway, the vehicle failed to move as it was placed in neutral, low 1, and then reverse. After several attempts, while in reverse and with the accelerator pedal depressed, the rpms increased, the front end jerked, and the vehicle finally reversed in the driveway and was parked. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the gear shifter failed to shift into all gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter and clutch assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while the vehicle was in reverse, there was a delay when shifting into gear. Also, the vehicle would jerk when shifted into drive and the passing gear would get rough going in and out of gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 134,273.
My car will no longer move when placed in drive or in any of the lower gears. It moves fine in reverse. The repair facility told me it was the I out drum. The only way to replace it is with a new drum that has updated specifications. There has been problems with the current input drum that has resulted in the need for an I put drum with updated specs. If there is problems with the original drum should not a recall be issued?
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
I have a 2004 Impala and I'm noticing that the transmission is going out in it I have been told that the transmission mess up a whole lot in these type of cars why is that and why did y'all not fix the problem
Cars acceleration causes me to be unable to pick up speed it decelerates up hills small or latg ramps cats constantly fly pass to avoid a multi car pile up it's very dangerous!
The only recall I was able to find out was for the ignition,. My transmission just went out 11/19/2015, it will not switch into gear, it starts just fine no check engine light but left me stranded. Turned the car off and when I started it again it drove just fine, so I slowly drove it home. I don't get on the highway no more because it lacks power the get up is not there mind you yes I have 225K miles on it but I have had about 10 trouble codes and I managed to get rid of them all when I cleaned the tps, aic, and map sensor new EGR valve, oil change tune up transmission flush all has been done this year and still on the highway it struggles, I did have one code that popped up 0420 so at this point I have been thinkin to just replace the catalytic converter when I get my taxes, but the problem is just getting worse and worse, so then I am thinking its the fuel pump, I mean my alternator …
Wow same problem as everyone else. Speed does not register properly seems to be whenever it wants it will show speeds higher then what they are. This is a danger because speeds are guessed in school zones and highways. After a couple days speed will begin to work OK. Now the blower motor and heater do not work unless you pound by the ashtray area and hopefully the air conditioning will start blowing but the heat will not come on when switched to heat. This is a safety issue living in montana when it gets below 32 and colder it would be nice this winter to thaw out the windows so I can see when driving at unknown speeds. Sometimes when the air is blowing you can smell something burning. We are in drought conditions in montana and if my car were to catch on fire on side of road and continue up the mountains this could be a disaster be creating a wildfire. …
We bought an Impala Chevrolet 2004 new in 2004. There were a few problems with it. Instrument panel cluster -and speedometer gauge did not work and noises came from the instrument panel. Steering gear popped/clanking noise heard and sensed from front end. Also, seemed like something was wrong with the transmission because it did not change gears correctly, and it kind of bumped when accelerating, appeared as if engine did not want to accelerate. There was a delayed start, May be necessary to hold key in start several seconds until starting or turning back and trying again. Sometimes key locked in and won't turn. Took to dealer, but it did not do it for them. On the steering gear the steering intermediate shaft was replaced on 11/19/05. Again the noise was back and on 07/17/07 the steering intermediate shaft was lubricated. On other issues repairs are to costly. …
Transmission complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 4% of the model year's 1,073 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Impala transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.