RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Express 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.
21
Latest Mar 1, 2022
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 Jun 29, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Express. 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 1–21 of 21

Fuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2022

NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V388000. I have this problem. A leaking fuel line due to corrosion. I drive in the Cascade MT's of Washington state. my line now leaks excessively on fill up.

NHTSA ID
11454777
Incident
Dec 4, 2021
BrakesSuspension
Filed Dec 30, 2021

This vehicle was sold for use over US highways, as "repairable condition". After going to a mechanic shop, I was advised, because of sever rust the rear leaf spring hangers were completely rusted thru, the rear axle assembly could come off or the frame could break in half, by just going over say, a railroad crossing. The mechanic said they would not repair this vehicle for use to drive on roads. I am requesting a local representative to help evaluate if this vehicle is safe to travel on Oklahoma roads.

NHTSA ID
11445566
Incident
Nov 12, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Nov 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILLER NECK WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 04/11/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10925238
Incident
Nov 8, 2016
Mileage
148,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT OF PLACE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WINDOWS ON THE VEHICLE WERE LOOSE. THERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. UPDATED 01/31/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT LOWER WINDOW BROKE. GLUE CAME OFF MANUFACTURED WINDOW MADE BY C.R. LAURENCE CO, INC. WINDOW WAS REPLACED 11/08/16. UPDATED 6/22/18*JB

NHTSA ID
10916576
Incident
Sep 11, 2016
Mileage
33,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 8, 2016
Fire reported

THE VAN WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY STATIONARY. IT CAUGHT FIRE AND PROCEEDED TO BURN COMPLETELY FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THE WEBSITE STATES THIS VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS BUT THE VEHICLE TYPE HAS A RECALL LISTED THAT STATES IT COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
10904626
Incident
Sep 3, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 9, 2016

TWO REAR BUCKET SEAT BELT CABLES HAVE BROKEN WITHOUT IMPACT.

NHTSA ID
10894675
Incident
Aug 9, 2016
Mileage
146,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2014
Fire reported

ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKEN BOLTS,HAS 3 AT THIS POINT AND TIME. THIS CAUSES THE EXHAUST TO LEAK INTO DRIVERS COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596753
Incident
Jun 6, 2014
Mileage
205,765 mi
Brakes
Filed May 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS SYSTEM PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BRAKING PROPERLY AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION DURING A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS AND THE ABS MAIN CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10594898
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE LINKAGE POPPED OFF PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM BEING SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED CABLE ASSEMBLY THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
10594885
Incident
Jan 16, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS G1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOUBLE DOOR HINGES FAILED AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE DOOR HINGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,00.

NHTSA ID
10510924
Incident
Dec 1, 2012
Mileage
109,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Apr 18, 2012

VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED TO EVIDENCE PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO WHAT'S DESCRIBED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 04V452000. POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND GM DEALER PERFORMED HYDRO BOOST INSPECTION TEST AND IT PASSED; SAID NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED. BUS HAS AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO CAUSE A DANGEROUS CONDITION. DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT A VEHICLE THAT RECALL APPLIES TO. *JS

NHTSA ID
10455608
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Mileage
118,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 26, 2011

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP GRADE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A SEVERE SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHEELS OCCURRED. IT WAS SO SEVERE THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK OUT OF MY HANDS. ONCE BACK ON LEVEL GRADE FOR A MILE OR SO, APPLYING THE BRAKES DIDN'T RESULT IN THE SEVERE SHAKING. FROM THAT POINT ON WHILE DRIVING ON ANY STEEP HILL OR MOUNTAIN, THE SAME THING OCCURS. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED LAST YEAR, BUT THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10415957
Incident
Oct 25, 2009
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2008

ON JUNE 20TH, 2008 WE BROUGHT OUR VAN IN FOR A ROUTINE BRAKE INSPECTION AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT 36,117 MILES. WE ALSO NOTICED A NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE BACKING PLATES ON BOTH SIDES WERE RUSTED, AND THE LEFT REAR BACKING PLATE WAS ROTTED TO THE POINT THAT IT HAD HOLES IN IT. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE INEXPENSIVE, BUT THE LABOR WAS INTENSIVE AND WOULD PROBABLY COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $600. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE BACKING PLATES YET BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAS OTHER QUALITY ISSUES AND WE ARE CONSIDERING A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245517
Incident
Jun 20, 2008
Mileage
36,117 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2008

MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS. WE FIRST NOTICED IT AROUND 37,000 MILES, BUT NOW IT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE APPLY THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEED AT 39,000 MILES. WE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH TWO CHEVY GARAGES - BOTH ADMITTED THAT IT WAS A COMMON, KNOWN CORROSION PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES EITHER CLEANING THE BRAKE SENSORS FOR APPROXIMATELY $200 OR REPLACING THEM AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $460. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR US. THE VAN DRIFTS FORWARD TOO FAR WHEN WE STOP AND WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE WILL EITHER HIT ANOTHER CAR OR POSSIBLY A PEDESTRIAN. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AS WE ARE LOCATED IN NEW YORK STATE AND SALT IS A COMMON WINTER CORROSIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245516
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
37,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DID NOT RELEASE THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY. INTERMITTENTLY, THE SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE BUCKLE. THE NOTICE FOR NHTSA RECALL #05V558000, PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELTS, WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DENIED A FREE REMEDY DUE TO THE PROBLEM ONLY BEING INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO STATED THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD ONLY BE REPLACED IF THE PROBLEM COULD BE REPLICATED AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
10171403
Incident
Oct 13, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 16, 2006

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE POOR QUALITY OF GM AND GMAC PRODUCTS. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FRONT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ON HIS SEAT BELT. THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10161551
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Airbags
Filed Mar 31, 2006
Crash reported

AIR BAGS FAILED ON CRASH. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154305
Incident
Mar 16, 2006
Mileage
34,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2005

OUR 2004 CHEVY EXPRESS VAN STALLED SERVERAL(12) TIMES WITHIN A 14 MILE DISTANCE ON THE INTERSTATE IN DENVER, CO. THE WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME, AND WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER (STEVENSON CHEVY, GOLDEN CO.) THE SERVICE ADVISOR ADVISED US THAT CHEVY IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMPS OVERHEATING AND IS WORKING THE PROBLEM. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM FROM CHEVY. YES, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACE AT SEVENSON CHEVY IN GOLDEN, CO ON 21 JULY. THIS IS OUR SECOND OCCURANCE OF A FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN A NEW CHEVY VEHICLE. OUR FIRST OCCURANCE WAS IN OUR NEW 2001 TAHOE, WHERE IT STRANDED US IN THE MIDDLE OF KANSAS, WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ID
10129686
Incident
Jul 20, 2005
Mileage
19,250 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 13, 2005

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500 VAN. ON 7-11-05 THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING INTERMITTENT KNOCKING NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO GO AT THIS POINT. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE PROBLEM HAD BECAME WORSE, SO THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MIDAS. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE FLY WHEEL HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR . *JB

NHTSA ID
10128655
Incident
Jul 11, 2005
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 6, 2005

THREE TIMES OUR VEHICLE ENGINE HAS ABRUPTLY STOPPED RUNNING IN CROWDED INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF US AND OCCUPANTS OF ADJACENT VEHICLES. THE FIRST WAS AUGUST 7, 2004 ON INTERSTATE 40 NEAR KINGMAN AZ. OUR FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT WE RAN OUT OF GAS, BUT THE GAUGE REGISTERED !/4 FULL AND WHEN WE ADDED GAS IT TOOK ONLY 22.8 GALLONS (31 GALLON TANK). THE SECOND WAS MAY 23, 2005 ON INTERSTATE 25 PASSING THROUGH COLORADO SPRINGS CO. THE GAS TANK WAS 3/4 FULL. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO COAST INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE TOWED TO TEAM CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT (719-380-6020) IN COLORADO SPRINGS WHO FOUND "LEAN CODE", SUSPECTED FUEL PUMP PROBLEM, BUT VEHICLE SEEMED OK IN 2 ROAD TEST DRIVES. ON RETURN HOME TO ALBUQUERQUE, GALLES CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT (505-766-6800) FOUND CODES P0174, P0171 AND P0300. THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP MODULE (PART NUMBER 89060662, *MODULE 3.107) AT MILEAGE 8,826 (JUNE 9-16, 2005). THE THIRD TIME WAS ON JULY 1, 2005 ON INTERSTATE 40 APPROACHING WILLIAMS AZ IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED LIMIT (75 MPH). WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE ADJACENT TO GUARDRAIL WITH NO LEFT HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND WE NARROWLY ESCAPED CAUSING A MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH. THIS TIME WE WERE TOWED TO TYRRELL-MARXEN CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT (928-774-5268) IN FLAGSTAFF AZ. THEY FOUND "CODES P0171 AND P0174 TRACED TO FAULTY FUEL MODULE". THEY REPLACED FUEL MODULE (PART NUMBER 88965421 MODULE KI 3.107) AT MILEAGE 10875 (JULY 2, 2005). WE LIKE OUR ROADTREK 170 POPULAR (CLASS B CONVERSION VAN), BUT AFTER THESE THREE (3) SERIOUS AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEM FAILURES (PLUS WIPER MOTOR FAILURE) WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY OF US & OTHERS WHEN THESE THINGS OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY IN HEAVY, HIGH-SPEED INTERSTATE TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
10127644
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
10,875 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 29, 2005

LEFT FRONT WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM VAN AT 55 MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO A NUT FALLING OFF OF THE SPINDLE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY SITUATION.

NHTSA ID
10127002
Incident
Jun 17, 2005
Mileage
49,900 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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .