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2004 Chevrolet Impala

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Impala.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2004 Chevrolet Impala is a passenger car that takes 4.5 quarts of 5W‑30 API engine oil and was subject to seven recalls. Owner complaints peaked at 1,071 for this model year — the highest total recorded across the 1991‑2020 span — with the electrical system ranking as the top complaint area. That complaint volume makes the 2004 Impala the most trouble‑prone year in the nameplate’s modern history, signaling a notable reliability low point for the model.

Model year202020192018201720162015201320122004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeSEDAN, LS P225/60R16;OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731175
Engine air filter15221217
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug12681664
Battery88866121 alt 88866305
Front wiper blades19120758 alt 15214346
Serpentine belt19244951 alt 12576750
Thermostat10226107 alt 24506985
Cabin air filter84557894

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3607 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)65/35

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impala of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.6–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2006 SS V8
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002LS V6 3.8L V68.60 sec16.60 sec200 hpFWD
2006SS V8 5.3L V85.60 sec14.20 sec303 hpFWD
2006LT V6 3.5L V68.30 sec16.70 sec211 hpFWD
2007LTZ V6 3.9L V67.40 sec15.60 sec233 hpFWD
2007Police 3.9L V67.50 sec15.60 sec240 hpFWD
2000LS V6 3.8L V67.50 sec15.70 sec200 hpFWD
2000LS V6 3.8L V67.60 sec15.80 sec200 hpFWD
2000LS V6 3.8L V67.70 sec15.90 sec200 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 11 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-940
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number78

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum59.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)52-59

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket133 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs / 85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.27 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.27 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.224 in / 0.39 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
152 ft. lbs., step 2: 7252 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
144 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
295
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., step 2: bolts 1-4, 9.6 ft. lbs., step 3: bolts 5-8, 18 ft. lbs., upper 185 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel System (inspect) · Supercharger Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Chevrolet Impala represents the absolute peak of consumer complaints in the provided federal record, with 1,071 reports. This is a significant increase over the 721 complaints recorded in 2003 and a sharp spike compared to the 609 complaints seen in 2005. The primary driver for this target year was the Electrical System with 555 complaints, followed by Exterior Lighting (70) and Engine (43), although the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. While the 7 recalls for 2004 are consistent with the 7 to 10 recalls seen between 2000 and 2003, the year also recorded 43 crash complaints and 21 fire complaints. Because this year marks the highest volume of complaints across the entire generation, it is not a recommended year to buy.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
495
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,071
Owner complaints
43 involved a crash · 21 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,071 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System555
Exterior Lighting70
Engine43
Steering25
Service Brakes, Hydraulic25
Power Train21
Engine & Engine Cooling20
Unknown Or Other20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V701000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 26/10/2015

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… Remedy: 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 engine’s front valve…

15V201000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 06/04/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 495 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D2025-02-19Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J2024-10-25Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H2024-09-12Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5099H2024-09-12Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impala. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 78 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qtEngine oil filter 12731175Engine air filter 15221217Fuel filter 25121293Spark plug 12681664

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Impala take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.