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2004 Chevrolet Classic Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
40
Latest Apr 18, 2017
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Aug 19, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 40 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Classic. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 40 · page 1 of 2

Fuel system
Filed Apr 18, 2017

MY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND THE IN DASH GAUGES CHECKED, IT WILL NOT REGISTER PAST 1/4 TANK. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES THE GAUGE WILL SUDDENLY DROP, THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON, IT WILL AGAIN READ 1/4 TANK EVEN WHEN FULL. THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURS.

NHTSA ID
10979149
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Electrical
Filed Feb 16, 2016

ANTI THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS ON COMING ON AND WILL NOT LET YOUR CAR START !!! THEY EVEN REPLACED THE KEY HOLES WITH FILLERS IN IT. YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND WAIT 15 TO 20 MIN. BEFORE IT WILL START OR SOMETIME IT WILL NOT WORK!!!! HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT AND THAT STILL DOES NOT FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH IT IS A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE NOW THE CAR WILL NOT START I HAVE CALLED GM BEFORE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL. WELL IF YOU LOOK AT THIS WEB SITE TO SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS IN THESE CARS FOR THE IGNITION PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT !!!!! I GUESS THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GETS KILLED AGAIN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT !!! THEY ALREADY HAD A BIG LAW SUITE I GUESS THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANOTHER ONE IF THIS KEEPS ON HAPPENING WHEN PEOPLE DRIVE AND IT JUST CONKS OUT ON US AND THERE IS A BUNCH OF ACCIDENTS !!!! GM YOU REALLY NEED TO LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS !!!!! THEN YOU GUYS WANT US TO BUY MORE CARS WELL IF WE CAN NOT TRUST YOU TO FIX SOMETHING WHEN THERE IS MORE THEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR WHY WOULD WE GO BACK TO TRUST YOU AGAIN !!!! THIS IS VERY UNSAFE GM ESPECIALLY IF YOU WILL NOT FIX IT !!! ALSO MY CAR HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT !!! THIS HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS

NHTSA ID
10836537
Incident
Feb 14, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2015

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL THE LINES(4) RUN VERY CLOSE TOGETHER UNDERNEETH THE AIR FILTER BOX. BY RUNNING THE LINES THIS CLOSE TOGETHER IT ALLOWS MOISTURES TO BE HELD IN THE TINY GAPS BETWEEN THE LINES, THERBY CUASING ACCELERATED RUSTING AND CORROSION. BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT IN JUST OVER 10 YEARS SEEMS PREMATURE GIVEN HOW MANY OF THE VEHICLES 10 YEARS OLD ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. MAYBE I'M WRONG? LUCKILY I WAS JUST LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY TO GO TO THE CAR WASH. THE PICTURE IS TAKEN FROM UNDER THE CAR LOOKING UP FROM THE WHEEL WELL, THERE IS ALSO LITTLE PROTECTION FROM TIRE SPRAY

NHTSA ID
10788735
Incident
Nov 5, 2015
Mileage
114,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2015

I HAD TAKEN MY SON TO THE DR. AND THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULDN'T FIRE UP. AFTER SITTING IN THE BLAZING SUN WITH MY SICK CHILD FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, A FRIEND CAME TO ASSIST US. THE FUEL PUMP WAS KICKING ON, WE CLEANED THE INTAKE AND CHANGED THE AIR FILTER WITH NO LUCK. WITH STARTER FLUID THE ENGINE WOULD FIRE UP BUT DIED AS SOON AS THE FLUID BURNT OFF. BEFORE HAVING IT TOWED HOME WE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM GLITCH. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER LEAVING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES,WITHOUT TRYING TO START THE CAR, WE TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN TRIED TO START THE CAR. IT FIRED RIGHT UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES SINCE THEN. ONE TIME I HAD TO GO THROUGH THOSE STEPS 3 TIMES TO GET THE CAR TO START. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 CHILDREN. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF WE GET STRANDED IN THE EXTREME HEAT OR COLD OR CANNOT UTILIZE THE CAR IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS ISSUE AMENDED.

NHTSA ID
10749481
Incident
Jul 12, 2015
Filed Jun 12, 2015

THIS VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH ITS STARTER. I'M NOT SURE OF THE FIRST DATE IT WAS NOTICED. INITIALLY THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 1/2 HR OR MORE FOR THE KEY TO COME OUT, THEN LONGER, THEN DAYS IN WHICH THE BATTERY WOULD HAVE TO BE RECHARGED. IT ALSO ON OCCASION WOULD ACTIVATE THE 'KILL-SWITCH' ON THE ALARM. WE WERE TOLD BY CHEVY THAT THE CAR WAS NOT 'RECOGNIZING' THE IGNITION KEY. FINALLY AFTER THE MONEY WAS AVAILABLE, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CHEVY FOR REPAIR. INITIALLY IT WAS FINE...THE KEY DIDN'T GET STUCK, THEN ONLY A FEW TIMES ...NONE IN WHICH IT DIDN'T COME OUT....HOWEVER, THE CAR IN 2013? BEGAN TO DIE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. MY SON AND FINANCE' BOUGH THIS TO MY ATTENTION AND FOR SAFETY I NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR AS THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN TRAFFIC, FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARK THE CAR. IT WOULD RESTART WITHOUT A PROBLEM.....BUT NOT KNOWING WHY OR WHEN IT WILL STOP WAS/IS TO MUCH OF A RISK SO WE TURNED IN THE REGISTRATION. WE TOLD CHEVY, WROTE ...BUT NO ONE HAS EVERY RESPONDED. I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR ITS IGNITION PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT WHO ELSE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. DUE TO ITS CONDITION, I CAN'T SELL IT OR DRIVE IT. YOUR HELP IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID
10725060
Incident
Jan 2, 2012
Electrical
Filed Nov 24, 2014

2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, REPLACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND SWITCH*CW

NHTSA ID
10653321
Incident
Sep 19, 2014
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 2014

THE PRESCRIBED/PROPOSED FIX BY GM OVER THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES IS THE MOST LAME EXCUSE FOR A FIX I HAVE EVER HEARD OF. JUST WANT TO GO ON THE RECORD SAYING THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659861
Incident
Nov 20, 2014
Mileage
106,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY, ON OR OFF MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ID
10650206
Incident
Jun 12, 2012
Mileage
144,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 25, 2014

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WOULD REMAIN STUCK IN THE OFF, ACCESSORY, AND/OR ON MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. DJR

NHTSA ID
10649908
Incident
Oct 23, 2014
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2014
1 injury reported

IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED/FALLS OUT WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. WE HAVE HAD SIX INCIDENTS WHERE WE PARKED CAR AND REMOVED KEY AND THEN CAR STARTED ROLLING. IN TWO INCIDENTS AN OPEN DOOR OF THE ROLLING CAR CAUGHT PERSON KNOCKING THEM DOWN, ONE INCIDENT JUST MISSED ROLLING OVER FOOT. IN EACH CASE FOUND THAT CAR WAS NOT IN PARK WITH KEY REMOVED. HAVE ALSO HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE KEY WAS REMOVED BUT IGNITION REMAINED ON DRAINING THE CARS BATTERY EACH TIME. VERY HARD TO GET KEY LOCK INTO "OFF" POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10644279
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 22, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A BRIEF MOMENT FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO DISABLE IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE SINCE THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10638167
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 19, 2014

WE STOP AND WAITING FOR RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURN TO GREEN, PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE CAR NOT HAVE ANY REACTION. I TURN OFF THE CAR, AND START AGAIN THEN THE CAR CAN MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10637553
Incident
Sep 10, 2014
Mileage
94,650 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 28, 2014

2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCHES PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, AND THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10626711
Incident
Dec 23, 2013
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS OPERABLE DURING THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION AND CYLINDER SWITCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,500.

NHTSA ID
10605369
Incident
Jun 20, 2014
Mileage
118,500 mi
Electrical
Filed May 17, 2014

FOR TWO YEARS NOW MY DOORS WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN I TURN THE CAR OF AND GET OUT. ALSO THE HORN WILL BLOW FOR NO REASON LIKE I HAVE LOCKED THE DOORS. I CAN'T LEAVE MY KEYS IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT HAS LOCKED WITH KEYS IN THE IGNITION. RECENTLY WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO BE ABLE TO TURN IT TO START. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE KEY BUT I HAVE HAD NEW ONES MADE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10592141
Incident
Jan 2, 2012
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 1, 2014

CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST STALLED OUT... REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER DRAINING IT FROM TRYING TO RESTART IT. AFTER READING ABOUT THE ANTI-THEFT PROBLEMS THESE MODELS HAVE HAD AND HOW TO RESET IT, IT STARTED BUT THEN IT DOES IT STILL OCCASIONALLY AND I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE WHICH CAN BE AN INCONVENIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10558072
Incident
Dec 30, 2013
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 2012

MY 2004 CHEVY CLASSIC WILL NOT START. SUSPECTING THE THEFT SYSTEM. I'VE DEALT WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BEFORE, BUT THIS TIME IT HAS BEEN ON SOLID OR NOT ON AT ALL. I'VE TRIED THE 10 MINUTE RESTART TWICE WITH NO LUCK. I TRIED A VARIATION OF THE 10 MINUTE RESET THAT HAD ME DO IT 3 TIMES BACK TO BACK WITHOUT STARTING IN BETWEEN AND NO LUCK. I TRIED WAITING 1 MINUTE AND 3 MINUTES AFTER PERFORMING THE 10 MINUTE RESET BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START IT. I REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH NO LUCK. DIAG WAS DONE WITH NO ANSWERS. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE, THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL, AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON'T DO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10488132
Incident
Dec 10, 2012
Mileage
130,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 6, 2012

THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT WILL COME ON RANDOMLY AND MY CAR WILL NOT START. THE ONLY CURE IS TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON THE DASH GOES OUT. THEN TURN THE KEY TO OFF AND THE WILL THEN START. *TR

NHTSA ID
10474050
Incident
Sep 6, 2012
Mileage
63,385 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2012

THE VEHICLES ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TURNED THE FUEL OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES AND RESULTED IN MULTIPLE TOWING AND MECHANICS BILLS. HAS ALSO ENDANGERED OUR SAFETY BY LEAVING US STRANDED ALONG THE ROAD. HAD REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTERS AND LINES, ETC. BEFORE I DETERMINED PROBLEM TO BE SECURITY SYSTEM NOT ALLOWING CAR TO START. THIS HAS BEEN EXPENSIVE AND FRUSTRATING AND ENDANGERED MY FAMILY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10466618
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Mileage
143,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS CURRENTLY INSPECTING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10420119
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 5, 2011

SECURITY FEATURE ON A 2004 CHEVY CLASSIC MALFUNCTIONS DISABLING THE ABILITY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE THEFT PROTECTION DEVICE FAILS TO READ THE KEY PROPERLY WHICH THEN DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MANY CHEVY MALIBU AND CLASSICS WITH NO SUPPORT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10404540
Incident
Jun 5, 2011
Mileage
89,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2011

OCCASIONALLY, AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIMES, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY VEHICLE. THE ONLY CURE IS TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON THE DASH GOES OUT. THIS IS GETTING TO BE A MAJOR PAIN IN THE NECK, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I AM HANDICAPPED. I COULD BE STRANDED ANYWHERE, WITHOUT WARNING! *TR

NHTSA ID
10402244
Incident
May 20, 2011
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 29, 2011

2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE. THE CAR WILL ENTER 'ANTI-THEFT' MODE AND WON'T START FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THIS HAS LEFT MY DAUGHTER STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND HER ONLY RECOURSE IS TO SIT WITH THE KEY TURNED ON FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE SYSTEM RESETS.

NHTSA ID
10393627
Incident
Mar 29, 2011
Mileage
132,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 26, 2010

MY 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC'S PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT WILL COME ON RANDOMLY AND MY CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AS I LIVE IN A DESERT AND RIGHT NOW THE DAY TIME TEMPERATURES CAN REACH UP TO 120 DEGREES. THE 1ST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND I WAS STRANDED FOR NEARLY AN HOUR. AFTER CHECKING SEVERAL SOURCES ONLINE IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS WILL BE A CONTINUAL PROBLEM UNLESS I GET EXPENSIVE REPAIRS DONE. CHEVY SHOULD BE ISSUING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS STARTED HAPPENING NEARLY 5 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR AND IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345263
Incident
Jul 11, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 8, 2010

MY 2004 CHEVY CLASSIC'S PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN A MONTH. FORTUNATELY I NOTICED THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BLINKING AND FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. AFTERWARDS I DID RESEARCH ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS AND DISCOVERED THAT IT IS SOMETHING COMMON THAT IS HAPPENING A LOT AFTER THE MILEAGE REACHES ABOUT 65,000 OF MORE MILES. IT SEEMS THE FIX IS REPLACING A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WHY DOESN'T CHEVROLET RECALL THESE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10342049
Incident
Jul 8, 2010
Mileage
72,400 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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