Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 1,071 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 555 | 52% |
| Exterior lighting | 70 | 7% |
| Engine | 43 | 4% |
| Steering | 25 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 2% |
| Power train | 21 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 20 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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!
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH, and the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and ma
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Wiring harness has got hot and cause a short not getting fuel and more
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle after waiting approximately 5-10 m
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHEVEROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS EXITING OFF THE EXIT RAMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT FAILED. TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 RE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHEN USING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR ON FRIDAY, 11/13/2020, THE METAL BELT CLIP CLICKS INTO THE BUCKLE WITH AN AUDIBLE CLICK. THIS APPEARS TO BE SAFELY ENGAGED, YET IF I TUG ON THE BELT, THE
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2004 Chevrolet Impala. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118,
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. V
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manu
Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The reca
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
| Reliability raw | 44 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 62 | average |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,071 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 555 of them (52%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 44/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 62/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.