General Motors is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal and certain 2004 Chevrolet Impala and Malibu vehicles over a potential valve cover gasket leak.
The problem: in affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak. The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
| MANUFACTURER | MAKE | MODEL | MODEL YEARS | PRODUCTION RANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENERAL MOTORS | BUICK | REGAL | 2004 | APRIL 9, 2003 – JUNE 26, 2003 |
| GENERAL MOTORS | CHEVROLET | IMPALA | 2004 | APRIL 8, 2003 – JUNE 25, 2003 |
| GENERAL MOTORS | CHEVROLET | MONTE CARLO | 2004 | APRIL 7, 2003 – JUNE 25, 2003 |
Number of vehicles affected: 1,207.
The fix: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the spark plug wire retainer to redirect the dripping oil. Vehicles equipped with the 3.8L V6 supercharged engine will also have the left valve cover gasket replaced. The repairs will be done free of charge.
Owners should: GM has not yet provided a notification schedule at the time of recall publication, but owners can use the following contacts to request information.
Contacts:
- Buick customer service: 1-800-521-7300
- Chevrolet customer service: 1-800-222-1020
- GM’s number for this recall is 14574
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153)
- NHTSA number for this recall is 15V201000
Comments
What 2004 with a ton of miles is not leaking?
I had a very similar recall on my 2001 Grand Prix and never bothered to take it in. After 252,000 miles it still was/is leak free. That engine/trans. is about to get dropped in an 86 Fiero.
Some of these recalls are getting to be a farce. Somebody is looking to justify his/her job.
No it is GM just trying to not leave anything for the media to pick up on that is a farce and try to turn it into something negative.
I guess GM has to err on the side of caution, after Ignitiongate, and a verified death toll that’s over 500% higher than what GM first admitted to.
(We’re up to 90 now, from 13).
Just sayin …
The Monte was such a beautiful car!!
I thought old GM wasn’t liable for these kinds of things. I mean, didn’t they die, post bankruptcy?
So they are installing a different spark plug retainer so the oil drips someplace else. How about replacing the damned valve cover gasket so the thing doesn’t leak in the first place. Unreal!
I have just received my first notification of this recall (12/19/15). I was totally unaware of this problem until now. I must be lucky, my car and garage are still in one piece. As mentioned by others previously, it is not unusual for cars over 10 years old with mileage to leak something. So why is this just being addressed now. There have been many other problems with gm cars from that era that owners have been complaining about with no response from GM. Such as instrument cluster failure, rotors warping prematurely, engines just shutting off for no reason and unable to restart (not related to the key and ignition switch recall) . It’s all about the corporate dollar and no regards for the individual.
I also just received my notice 12/23/15. It says the recall was official in April 2015….. April to December is a long time and I just had my oil changed 2 days ago. I’m glad that it’s still all intacted! The only thing that is a little upsetting is that they say the recall parts are NOT available at this time and ask us not to drive it…. I’m not sure about everyone else but I don’t have another car I can use till they get parts in… Last year around this time I had the key recall and only waited 2 weeks for parts. This recall has been out since April and they still don’t have parts, to me that seems wrong. GM rather risk engines starting on fire compared to telling everyone remove all their other keys until the alterations are made, that way not risking the car to shift into other gears.
I to agree with Amy. I received my notice on 12/18/15. Here it is 12/31/15 and still no reply from gm.Had my ignition key switch fixed same time last year.Would really like to have these problems corrected while I have time off from work. What other GM blunders are there with these cars?What I find amazing is these problems surfacing many many years later.
just been adding stp oil treatment when needed,130000 miles on no leaks so far,cluster fix for speedo,temp,would be nice.
I have 8,812 miles on my 2004 Impala SS Indy car (#307 of 4,088 limited production). No leaks for me. Maybe when it hits 10,000 miles some day, I will recheck it. My midlife crisis purchase is in showroom condition and for sale for collector.
Just had my 2004 monte carlo go in for two recalls, they had to permanently remove the engine cover and I’m not pleased on how it looks now. But like its said here, what car with a lot of miles doesn’t leak.. but if its for safety, oh well….
Took mine to the dealership the replaced the front not the back that’s the one is leaking till this day they just replaced the easy one it’s a recall and should be replaced and other thing having problems with Transmission when you stop at red light and pull off Transmission jerks really hard that should be a recall 04 Impala
Took my Chevy Impala to do a recall on value cover gaskets wanted to let you know they whoever did it changed the front one the back one is the problem hasn’t been changed and leaking like crazy!!! Also had problems with the speedometer gas and all that and the Transmission is acting up when you stop and take off paid lots of money for this car should be a recall!!!(