2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hd 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 Silverado 1500 Hd, 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
- Brakes838.1%
- Steering523.8%
- Electrical314.3%
- Powertrain (other)14.8%
- Body & structure14.8%
- Transmission14.8%
- Engine14.8%
- Fuel system14.8%
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
THE BRAKES HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS NOT PARTICULARLY UNEXPECTED GIVEN THE VEHICLE HAS 155,000 MILES. HOWEVER WHEN WE TRIED TO PURCHASE NEW PARTS WE WERE ADVISED THAT GENERAL MOTORS NO LONGER SUPPORTS OR MANUFACTURES THE NECESSARY PARTS ( ROTORS,PUMPS, ETC) FOR THE YEAR OF VEHICLE. HOW CAN THEY SIMPLY STOP MAKING PARTS FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS JUST 10 YEARS OLD? WE WERE TOLD TO GO TO A SCRAP YARD AND SEE IF WE COULD SCROUNGE THE NECESSARY PARTS THERE ! SHOULD THEY NOT BE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT ANY VEHICLE THEY MANUFACTURE? AND NOT SIMPLY DECIDE NOT TO MAKE PARTS ANY LONGER BECAUSE IT MAY NOT BE PROFITABLE? WHAT IS GOING ON AT GM? WHAT ELSE DON'T WE KNOW ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICES ON TOP OF THE OTHER GM SCANDALS THAT WE SEE LATELY, LEADING TO DEATH AND MAYHEM FOR INNOCENT CAR OWNERS? *TR
TOWING A HEAVY BOAT AT INTERSTATE SPEED LIMIT IN KANSAS. APPLIED BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUISE UPON APPROACH TO EXIT RAMP. NOTICED MORE THAN USUAL PEDAL TRAVEL AND BEGAN TO PUMP TO FIND SOME BRAKES. PUMPING DID NOTHING, FULLY DEPRESSING IS ALL THAT WOULD SLOW VEHICLE. GOING DOWNHILL AND APPROACHING STOP AT END OF RAMP. ENDED UP GOING THROUGH STOP SIGN WITHOUT STOPPING. COULDN'T STOP WOULDN'T STOP. ROLLED THROUGH STOP SIGN INTERSECTING HIGHWAY SPEED 60 MPH. MADE THE TURN AND GOT STOPPED SOON AFTER SIGN BUT COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN HARMS WAY FROM INTERSECTING TRAFFIC HAD I PANICKED FROM NOT HAVING CONTROL AND WARNING LIGHTS AND ALARMS. AT LEAST I WOULD HAVE KNOWN SOMETHING WAS WRONG 5 SECONDS BEFORE GETTING T-BONED. ONCE UPON A TIME THE BODY WOULD RUST LIKE A REAR BUMPER IN ABOUT 10 YEARS. CHEVROLET SPENT MONEY TO MAKE THE PAINT LAST LONGER ON THE BODY. THAT RUST WOULD MAKE YOU GET PAINT OR A NEW TRUCK. IT WOULDN'T OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INJURE OR KILL YOU OR OTHERS. BRAKE LINES ON 1950 MODEL CARS ARE STILL STRONGER THAN THESE RUSTED OUT 9 YEAR OLD LINES. THE UNIT IS DESIGNED TO RUN A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES. ITS ONLY DESIGNED TO STOP BY MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ABOUT 50 THOUSAND MILES. ITS AS IF THE LEADERSHIP AT GM FORGOT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THE UNIT STOP. SOMEONE WAS PROBABLY REWARDED FOR SAVING THE COST IN THE CHANGE OF MATERIAL OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE SAVINGS DRIVEN BY COST REDUCTION IN THE MATERIALS ORGANIZATION IS IN THIS CASE VERY BAD FOR BUSINESS. AFTER ALL IF A PRODUCT ENDS UP REDUCING THE NUMBERS OF CUSTOMERS THROUGH ACCIDENTS IT HAS TO IMPACT YOUR SALES. THESE PEOPLE MARKET THEIR PRODUCT AS ONE LONGEST RUNNING VEHICLES IN THE MARKET PLACE. CURRENT CONDITIONS ALSO HAS THEM THE LONGEST STOPPING VEHICLES IN CLASS. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING WAS MAKING NOISE I ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE LEAK I HAD MORE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT KEPT ON LEAKING NOW THE STEERING GOT SO HARD TO HARD TO TURN SO WENT TO THE STORE BUY SOME POWER STEERING FLUID ADDED TURN ON THE TRUCK AND LICKED IT ALL SO NOW THE POWER STEERING IS HARD TO TURN
HAD TO REPLACE INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT FOR THE THIRD TIME. PROBLEM WITH DRIVING SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. THE UNIVERSALS HAVE NO GREASE FITTINGS, SO THE BEARINGS WEAR OUT OR GIVE OUT. *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
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW CAB AND MY SERVICE SHOP HAS DETERMINED THE CLUSTER PANEL IS FAULTY IT PRESENTS MISREADINGS WHICH IS CAUSING ERROR CODES READINGS IN THE COMPUTER. THEY TESTED THE OIL PRESSURE AND THE TACH AND SAID THE COMPONENTS WERE WORKING CORRECTLY WITH IN RANGE IN SPITE OF THE FACT THE GAUGE DIALS ON THE PANEL WERE SHOWING THINGS WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY OR WITH IN RANGE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE TACHOMETER GAUGE DIAL PERIODICALLY EITHER DOES NOT REGISTER IT WILL STAY AT ZERO, OTHER TIMES IT WILL EXCEED ABOVE THE HIGHEST # ON THE PANEL. THE OIL GAUGE DIAL STAYS CONSISTENTLY IN THE SAME POSITION WHICH EXCEEDS ABOVE THE HIGHEST # READING LEVEL ON THE PANEL. PERIODICALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAYS ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL GO OFF FOR ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, HOW ARE DRIVERS TO KNOW IF SOMETHING IS TRULY WRONG WITH THE TRUCK WHEN THE CLUSTER PANEL IS NOT PRESENTING THE CORRECT READING. WE DEPEND ON THE CLUSTER PANEL TO ALERT US WHEN SOMETHING IS GOING AWRY. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY RAN INTO THIS ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK AND IT ONLY HAS APPROX 50,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY STARTED WORKING WITH THE CHEVY COMPANY BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL SO FAR IN GETTING ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THIS AND I AM TOLD IT WILL BE APPROX $800.00 TO R & R IT. I TRULY HOPE THAT OTHER OWNERS WILL COME FORWARD WITH THIS ISSUE AND IF WE STAND TOGETHER WE CAN CONVENIENCE CHEVROLET THAT THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT AND PROVIDE US WITH SOME TYPE OF COMPENSATION FOR THIS ISSUE. I LIKE MY TRUCK AND WOULD RATHER GET IT FIXED THEN GET RID OF IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK AN DOES NOT ACCURATELY GIVE SPEED. THERE ARE SO MANY REPAIR FACILITIES FOR THIS THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF A 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 4WD TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD BRAKE LINES GO TWICE. THE LAST TIME WAS AT OUR TOWN DUMP. MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED WITH THE TRUCK IN PARK AND WHEN HE PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PUT THE TRUCK IN GEAR THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO REAL STOPPING POWER. HE CHECKED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE AND THAT, TOO, WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT CHEVY HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE SUCH DANGEROUS ENGINEERING ON SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS BRAKES. WE ALSO HAVE RUSTED TRANSMISSION LINES AND BACKER PLATES. IT IS GOING TO COST $2,000 (TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT A RECALL BE MADE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING ON SUCH A NECESSARY FUNCTION. WE ARE LUCKY THAT WE WERE IN PARK AND PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO GEAR FROM PARK WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. *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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED INTO ANOTHER LANE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH DUE MILD TO MEDIUM WINDS. WHILE STEERING TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE THE WIND STOPPED BLOWING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE OVERCORRECTED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TRAVEL TWO LANES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OR REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH A FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ON 07/26/06.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- ON 08/30/06 CONTACT'S VEHICLE CHANGED FROM THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE GEAR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SAME DAY THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED ACTUAL SPEED INACCURATELY. ON 8/31/06 THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ICP AND THE ATC MODULE. ON 01/05/07 WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE SHOWED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBED. UPDATED 02/13/07. *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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. TWO DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 04/06/17 LJ *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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. TWO DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 04/06/17 LJ *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 .