2004 Chevrolet Express 1500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Express 1500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes320.0%
- Fuel system320.0%
- Visibility213.3%
- Engine213.3%
- Airbags213.3%
- Body & structure16.7%
- Electrical16.7%
- Tires & wheels16.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 CHEVY EXPRESS 1500. *TR
ABS ENGAGES AT SLOW SPEED, AT TAIL END OF BRAKING, EVEN ON DRY SURFACES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST EIGHT MONTHS. STARTED SOMETIME IN EARLY SUMMER/LATE SPRING 2008. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2004 CUTAWAY CHEVY SOLD AS A 2005 FOUR WINDS HAS THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THIS RECALL. RECALL NUMBER 12V388000 RECALL DATE 08/08/2012 COMPONENT FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP SUMMARY GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A LEFT SIDE CARGO DOOR, AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. WATER AND ROAD CONTAMINANTS MAY BECOME TRAPPED IN THE PROTECTIVE CONDUIT THAT COVERS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND MAY CAUSE THE PIPE TO CORRODE. CONSEQUENCE SIGNIFICANT CORROSION MAY ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK DURING REFUELING, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE; THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE. WHAT OWNERS SHOULD DO GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL FILLER NECK, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. THE EXPRESS 1500 I OWN IS CURRENTLY EXHIBITING THIS EXACT ISSUE, AND ALTHOUGH SOLD IN CA IN 2005, BASE VAN WAS MANUFACTURED IN INDIANA MODIFIED BY THOR MOTORHOMES. THIS STATE IS LISTED IN THE RECALL ABOVE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE ISSUE BEING DISABLED VET ON SMALL SSDI INCOME. IVE THE FEELING IT'S THE SAME MODEL RECALLED, BUT OF COURSE CHEVY WILL NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY ON RECALL LIST LIKE THE LEFT SIDE CARGO DOOR MODELS THAT ARE BEING REPAIRED BY THE CHEVROLET GM DEALERS? PLEASE HELP
THE FUEL FILLER TUBE LEAKS FUEL, IS CORRODED. AND ALSO THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP, AT THE TOP OF THE CHASSIS IS ALSO CORRODED, AND THE FUEL TANK IS HANGING DOWN, CAUSING A RISK AND FIRE HAZZARD AS IT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE DRIVESHAFT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF. *TR
WINDSHIELD IS FULL OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE SCRATCHES, BUT IT MUST BE IN LAMINATION (?), BECAUSE YOU CAN'T FEEL THEM ON EITHER THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE GLASS. GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE, CAUSING ANNOYING VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. NO REAL INCIDENT DATE, JUST GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE, SPREADING. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS TRAVELING EAST THRO AN INTERSECTION WHEN A TRUCK ON THE MY RIGHT RAMMED ME IN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR.I FELT THE CAR SPIN AND THE TRUCK ENDED UP IN MY RIGHT REAR BUMPER AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS INJURED AND THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED AND I HAVE EYE DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT EYE AND NECK INJURY AND BACK INJURY. STILL SEEING SPINE DR. AND EYE DR EVERY 6 MONTHS. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS G-VAN ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSING SMOKE TO COME FROM DRIVER CABINET AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. *KB THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS TRAVELING EAST THRO AN INTERSECTION WHEN A TRUCK ON THE MY RIGHT RAMMED ME IN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR.I FELT THE CAR SPIN AND THE TRUCK ENDED UP IN MY RIGHT REAR BUMPER AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS INJURED AND THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED AND I HAVE EYE DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT EYE AND NECK INJURY AND BACK INJURY. STILL SEEING SPINE DR. AND EYE DR EVERY 6 MONTHS. *TR
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EMPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE SHOP. THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT STANLEY CHEVROLET CELINA TX 972-382-3000 CONTACT GARY WERNER SERVICE MANAGER. THE VEHICLE OWNER IS RICK DIETEL OF AMERSOL INC. 214-503-9977. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS TRAVELING EAST THRO AN INTERSECTION WHEN A TRUCK ON THE MY RIGHT RAMMED ME IN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR.I FELT THE CAR SPIN AND THE TRUCK ENDED UP IN MY RIGHT REAR BUMPER AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS INJURED AND THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED AND I HAVE EYE DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT EYE AND NECK INJURY AND BACK INJURY. STILL SEEING SPINE DR. AND EYE DR EVERY 6 MONTHS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE THE FUSE BOX AFTER BEING PARKED FOR FOUR DAYS. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FUSE BOX. AS OF DECEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 166,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE PURCHASED A COMPLETE SET OF GENERAL GRABBER HTS 235/75R16 FOR OUR CHEVY EXPRESS VAN AT DUNN TIRE ON 11/15/08. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 60K WARRANTY. WE WENT IN FOR THE REQUIRED ROTATIONS AND NOTED THAT THE TREAD DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WEARING WELL. AT THE 20K MILE ROTATION IN JANUARY OF 2011, DUNN TIRE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT PERFORMING AS ADVERTISED AND TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD LIKELY NEED TO ADJUST THE TIRES ON A PRO-RATA BASIS AT THE NEXT ROTATION AT 25K MILES. IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT THE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE IN SOME WAY. THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON OUR VAN LIVED UP TO THEIR 40K WARRANTY AND WE REPLACED WITH THESE GRABBER HTS TIRES AT 39747 MILES. OUR DRIVING HABITS ARE CONSERVATIVE AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE TIRES AHEAD OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE TREAD WAS SO BAD ON THESE GRABBER HTS TIRES THAT WE WERE UNABLE TO DRIVE OUR VAN ON SNOWY ROADS DURING THIS PAST WINTER. WE ALSO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HYDROPLANING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN WE DROVE THE VAN THROUGH HEAVY RAINS THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN WE DROPPED OFF OUR DAUGHTER AT COLLEGE. WE BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE HAZARDOUS AND THAT AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE INITIATED. IT'S INCONCEIVABLE THAT WE WOULD ONLY GET 25K MILES OUT OF A 60K TIRES. WE FEEL CHEATED AND REALLY DO NOT WANT ANOTHER SET OF GENERAL TIRES ON A PRO-RATA BASIS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .