Recall 15V201 covers 330,742 2004 Impala, Regal, Monte Carlo, and Grand Prix vehicles for valve-cover-gasket oil leaks. Free repair at Chevrolet dealers.
Chevrolet recall 15V201 covers 330,742 2004 Impala, Regal, Monte Carlo, and Grand Prix vehicles because the valve cover gasket can leak engine oil onto the hot exhaust manifold. That raises the risk of a fire, and Chevrolet dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The valve cover gasket sits between the engine valve cover and the top of the engine. It seals engine oil inside the valve cover area while the engine runs, so oil stays away from hot exhaust parts and electrical retainers under the hood.
In affected 2004 Impala, Regal, Monte Carlo, and Grand Prix vehicles, aging and wear let oil seep past that gasket. During hard braking, the oil can move onto the exhaust manifold, which gets hot enough to ignite it. That flame can reach the plastic spark plug wire retainer, then spread to other engine components.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner can see or smell oil after a leak starts, but the recall record does not identify a reliable warning before the fire risk develops.
Who's affected?
The included models all point to the same engine component.
| 2004 Chevrolet Impala | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2004 Buick Regal | Engine |
| 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo | Engine |
| 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix | Engine |
| Units affected | 330,742 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot exhaust manifold and increase the risk of a fire. Treat this as a fire-risk recall and schedule the repair soon, even if the vehicle seems to run normally. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004 Chevrolet Impala, Regal, Monte Carlo, or Grand Prix is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free valve-cover and gasket repair that stops engine oil from leaking onto the exhaust manifold.
- Bring the recall notice if GM mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V201 when you call.
- Ask the dealer to remove the plastic engine cover and oil-fill tube extension as part of the covered repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician removes the plastic engine cover and plastic oil fill tube extension, then replaces the front valve cover and gasket. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you already paid for a related valve cover gasket or oil leak repair before the recall repair, the manufacturer's reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact customer service for the brand shown on your vehicle.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 6, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 24, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V201?
Recall 15V201 covers 330,742 2004 Chevrolet Impala, Regal, Monte Carlo, and Grand Prix vehicles with a valve cover gasket that can leak engine oil. Oil can drip onto the hot exhaust manifold and increase fire risk. Dealers replace the front valve cover and gasket for free.
What should I do if my 2004 Chevrolet Impala, Regal, Monte Carlo, or Grand Prix is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V201. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the valve cover and gasket repair. Reference recall number 15V201 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. For recall 15V201, the dealer removes the plastic cover and oil fill tube extension, then replaces the front valve cover and gasket free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. A leaking valve cover gasket can let engine oil drip onto the hot exhaust manifold, increasing fire risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair and ask the service desk what to do if you smell oil or see smoke.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2004 vehicle is included in recall 15V201, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer and reference the recall number when scheduling service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V201000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V201 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V201000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →