2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

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 minutes. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DIFFICULTY GETTING PARTS FOR ENGINE OIL LEAK ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL. *SMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A GASKET LEAK IN THE VEHICLE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,696.

CHEVROLET IMPALA 2004, TRAVELING ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, AT 65MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL, 2 ADULT PASSENGERS USING SEATBELTS, DRIVER SAW TRUCK ENTERING THE INTERSECTION FROM THE DRIVERS RIGHT SIDE. THE DRIVER ACCELERATED AND SWERVED TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE IMPALA WAS STRUCK BY THE TRUCK. SKID MARKS WERE MADE ON THE HIGHWAY BY THE TIRES OF THE IMPALA FROM THE IMPACT TO WHERE THE IMPALA STOPPED AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE DRIVER WORKED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK TO RESTART THE IMPALA IN ORDER TO MOVE THE IMPALA TO A SAFER POSITION ON THE HIGHWAY, OUT OF THE LANES OF TRAFFIC. UPON STOPPING THE DRIVER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. THE KEY WAS NOT ON A KEY RING. THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE FOB AND KEY RING UPON RECEIVING THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE, GM RECALL 14350. THE HAZARD BLINKERS WERE TURNED...

I BOUGHT CAR 2 YRS AGO AND DROVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS NO PROBLEMS THEN SAT FOR 6 MONTHS, I START DRIVING IT AND THIS IS ALL THE STUFF THAT WENT OUT AND STUFF STILL GOING ON. RADIATOR TEMP SENSOR, WATER PUMP, HEATER, WATER PUMP BEARING, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, LOW COOLANT SENSOR, RADIATOR, VSS, KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, LOCK CYLINDER, 8 WIRES UNDER HOOD SHREDDED IN HALF DUE TO RUBBING ON BELT, POWER LOCK WONT WORK ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR, CHIMES GO OFF WHEN KEY NOT IN IGNITION. MY PROBLEM NOW IS KEY LOCKED UP AGAIN FINALLY GOT IT TO TURN THEN ANTI THEFT SYSTEM COMES ON AND THE CAR WONT REPROGRAM CODES. MY CODE READER SAYS IT CANT READ FROM CAR. *TR

(1) HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. NO HEAT, COOLANT WAS OK. FAN WAS RUNNING. DEALER EXAMINED. THREE ACTUATORS IN THE ELECTRONICS ARE FAILED AND HAVE TO REPLACE AT A COST OF OVER $550.00 (2) TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED MOVING. DEALER EXAMINED. ESTIMATED COST OF $~400.00 TO REPLACE IPC UNIT. THERE IS ONE OF THE RECALLED IPC UNITS FOR GM AUTOS MADE BETWEEN 2003-2007; BUT IMPALA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST. I DON'T KNOW WHY? SAME ELECTRONICS FAILED IN ONE UNIT MUST BE RECALLED FROM ALL THE UNITS.. THESE DEFECTS COULD INCREASE HEAT IN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND COULD INCREASE FUEL CONSUMPTION, FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE FIRE, CONTACTED GM BUT THEY WERE NOT COOPERATIVE AND DENIED ANY CLAIMS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IT JUST STOPS RUNNING. MY HUSBAND PUTS THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP AGAIN. IT HAS DONE IT A FEW TIMES SINCE THAT OCCURRENCE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION IF THE CAR STALLS IN AN INTERSECTION AND WON'T RESTART. THE CAR ALSO HAS A SECURITY ISSUE THAT PREVENTS US, AS THE OWNER FROM STARTING IT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. IF YOU TURN ON THE IGNITION AND LET IT SIT FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES, IT WILL START UP. WE NOW LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING WHEN FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD TO SIT AND WAIT FOR IT TO RESTART AT THE PUMP. THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM ALSO. IF YOU GO ON LINE, YOU WILL SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS. WE BOUGHT...

THE TRACTION CONTROL TURNS ON FREQUENTLY. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN BRAKING THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND CAR IS NOT STOPPING IT FEELS LIKE IT'S LOCKING UP AND SLIDING. IN A SUDDEN STOP NEEDING TO BE MADE IS AT GREAT RISK OF A ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPLACED A ELBOW SHAPED PART THAT HAS BUSTED OPEN TWICE. CAR IS CONSTANTLY OVER HEATING THE RADIATOR CAP HAS A RUSTIC CLAY LIKE SUBSTANCE. IT WON'T HOLD ANTIFREEZE, I DON'T SEE A LEAK BUT IT NEEDS REFILLED QUITE OFTEN. THE ENGINE SMOKES, THE CARS RPM'S WILL FLEX UP AND DOWN AND THE CAR WILL JUST CUT OFF. I'M WONDERING IF THE RUSTIC CLAY LIKE SUBSTANCE HAS GONE THROUGH MY ENGINE AND IS CAUSING ME MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE FOUND REPORTS OF LAWSUITS IN PAST REGARDING DEXICOOL IN GM CARS DOING THIS AND RUINING THE ENGINE....

ROCKER ARM BOLTS CAME OUT OF HEAD DISABLING CYLINDER #1. CAUSING ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH AND COULD NOT EXCEED 15MPH. THREADS IN HEAD FAILED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 28, 2010 AFFECTING CYLINDERS #3 AND #5. NOW AGAIN THIS ISSUE AS OF MARCH 9, 2012 IN CYLINDER #2. IN EACH OCCURRENCE THREADS FROM HEAD WERE FOUND IN BOLT THREADS. BOLTS WERE LOOSE DISABLING CYLINDER FROM WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND DUE TO CONCERN OF FURTHER DAMAGING ENGINE, CAR REQUIRES TOWING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS THE HEAD WAS MADE OF. *TR

SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF IT WONT START UNLESS I TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LET IT SIT FOR 20 MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL START. TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS RARELY WORKS PROPERLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON I'VE MADE THE REPAIRS UNDER THE CODES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON THIS IS DEALING WITH THE EMISSION TESTING. *TR

2004 IMPALA W/ 3.8L ENGINE STALLS WHEN DECELERATING, LEAVING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT AND UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT IT TAKES MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RE-START. I HAVE TRIED A FEW INEXPENSIVE THINGS SUCH AS PREMIUM GAS, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, AND A NEW FUEL FILTER...NO AFFECT ON THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NO "ENGINE LIGHT" WHICH APPEARS. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I MAY BE FORCED TO SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD A CAR PAYMENT. *TR

MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS AND ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR, OR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT . THE CAR WOULD STALL UP TO 3-4 TIMES PER DAY MOST OF THE TIME AND AS TIME WENT ON IT GOT WORSE. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE BATTERY, THE FUEL FILTER, THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND THE CAR STILL TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR STALLED A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM A RAILROAD CROSSING (SINCE SHE QUIT DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY), LUCKILY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON TRACKS, NO TRAIN WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. SHE HAD TO WAIT APPROX. 25 MINS FOR IT TO START AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE WHILE THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS 50 DEGREES. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE VCM UNIT AND CONNECTORS, WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

WAS IN MY CAR DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RAISED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. *TR

FAILURE OF LOWER INTAKE GASKETS ON 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. *TR

ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, THEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED OR READS 0 MOST OF THE TIME. *TR

FAILURE: LOWER INTAKE GASKET FAILED DUE TO DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE. DEXCOOL INSTALLED AT FACTORY. VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN SERIOUS COOLANT LEAK . VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY AND STRANDED OWNER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER TOLD OWNER TO REPLACE GASKET AND COOLANT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPLACED DEXCOOL WITH ANOTHER LONG LIFE BRAND OF ANTIFREEZE. THE ORIGINAL DEXCOOL ALSO CLOGGED THE RADIATOR WHICH REQUIRED EXTRA FLUSHING WITH ADDITIONAL CHEMICALS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OR ACCELERATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT LOCKS WERE OPENED, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE BOLTS. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.

CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKES. ROTORS WARPED @ 21,500 MILES. 12,000 MILES LATER, WARPED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THIS WAS COMMON AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. REPAIR COST OUT OF POCKET. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM. WAS TOLD IT WAS TOTALLY NATURAL FOR MY CAR TO GET THAT HOT. UNBELIEVABLE!! NOW I HAVE AN INTAKE OR A HEAD GASKET THAT IS BAD. AGAIN, NOTHING THEY CAN DO. AGAIN, COST OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHEVY I SERVICE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES IT. THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD US, "CARS ARE MADE DIFFERENT THESE DAYS. STUFF HAPPENS." IF THEY CAN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS I WON'T BUY ANOTHER. 34,000 MILES AND MY CAR IS JUNK. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS. BAD BRAKES AND BAD GASKETS. *TR

SECURITY LIGHT WENT ON LAST MONTH. IT WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITIION CYLINDER. THE CAR ALSO MAKES A VIBRATING NOISE ON ACCELERATOR. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE CATALITIC CONVERTER. ALL REPLACED. THE CAR STILL MADE NOISE WHEN LEFT SERVICE AT NORTHEAST AUTO CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA PA WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. YESTERDAY THE LIGHT FOR SECURITY IS BACK ON. 2004 CHEVY IMPALA VERY DISAPPOINTED. CAR HAS 55,000 MILES. AT 36K THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WENT DURING FUNERAL PROCESSION. *TR

2004 CHEVY IMPALA WITH STEERING FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, SO SHE HAD TO HIT A CURB, WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED SHE DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER MILE AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. *KB THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SPEED SENSOR FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *JB

MY 2004 IMPALA SS HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE FIRST WAS INCORRECT SPEEDOMETER READINGS THAT LEAD TO TOTAL FAILURE OF THE SPEEDOMETER (STICKING AND/OR ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE). THE SECOND WAS IMPROPER FUEL LEVEL INDICATION (HIGH LEVEL SHOWN WITH LOW FUEL LIGHT COMING ON - ALMOST NO FUEL LEFT). THE LATEST IS INCORRECT OIL PRESSURE INDICATION. ALL OF THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE MODEL OF STEPPER MOTOR USED TO DRIVE THESE GAUGES IN MANY GM VEHICLES. MY TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR HAS BEEN IN EXCESS OF $300, NOT INCLUDING THE CURRENT OIL PRESSURE GAUGE REPAIR (STEPPER MOTORS FOR SPEEDO AND FUEL LEVEL GAUGE). I PLAN ON HAVING ALL STEPPER MOTORS REPLACED WITH THE LATEST GENERATION REPLACEMENT (SWITEC X25.168). THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND CORRECT AS IT IS A VERY WIDESPREAD ISSUE. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA IN TO HAVE A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE HAD 37, 792 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE COOLANT & OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND SHE HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNINGS. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S COOLANT LIGHT TURNED ON 9/06 AND SHE HAD COOLANT ADDED.

THIS VEHICLE HAD A HEAD GASKET REPAIRED UNDER STANDARD 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. WE ARE NOW TOLD WE HAVE ANOTHER HEAD GASKET OR HEAD PROBLEM AT 49,000 MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINE MANUFACTURER PROBLEM OR I GOT A LEMON ENGINE FROM CHEVROLET? *JB

DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE TURNED BROWN AND SLUDGED UP. LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND 16,200 MILES ON VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD SYSTEM FLUSHED, RESERVOIR REPLACED AND NEW COOLANT ADDED. I WILL TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR. MANY PEOPLE I'VE SPOKEN TO WITH GM VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH THIS COOLANT.

MY "LOW OIL LEVEL" LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 2000 MILES. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED, IT WAS A QUART LOW. I WAS TOLD THAT NEW VEHICLES SOMETIMES "ABSORB" OIL THE FIRST TIME. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 5000 MILES, THE OIL WAS OVER A QUART LOW. IT WAS IMPLIED THAT I WAS NOT RESETTING THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT PROPERLY. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AT 9000 MILES. AT THIS POINT I PAID FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS DONE. THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 10,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT, TOPPING OFF THE OIL SINCE IT WAS A QUART LOW AND I SHOULDN'T GO FOUR DAYS WITH THE OIL A QUART LOW. WHEN I RETURNED FOR THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT MY OIL LEVEL WAS ONLY 1/2 QUART LOW. THEY HAD FORGOTTEN THAT THEY TOPPED IT OFF. I HAD TO PAY...

ALL PROBS WITH 2004 IMPALA SS STARTED AFTER 3 MONTHS OF PUCHASE DATE. THERE WERE LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON CAR. 1ST INCIDENT - WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, CAR DIED 1/2 WAY THROUGH TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ENDED UP GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY MADE IT TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROAD W/ HARM. CAR WOULDNT START AT ALL. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. REPLACE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. 2ND INCIDENT - APPROX 3 WEEKS AFTER 1ST, I WAS STOPPED TO DROP PASSENGER OFF, CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND IDLE WAS HIGH, 2 SECONDS LATER CAR DIED. CAR RESTARTED THIS TIME, DRIVING HOME ABOUT 35MPH CAR DIED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, STEERING LOCKED AND HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET CAR OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART THIS TIME. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT AGAIN REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. 3RD INCIDENT - GOT THE CAR BACK ON...