RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Silverado

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
622
Latest Jun 24, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
15
Latest Aug 11, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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.
66
36 injuries, 3 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 622 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and steering categories. 15 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 578 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

15 campaigns cover this model year

View all 15

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
07E106000

WHEELS:HUB

Dec 17, 2007
130,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
The risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
07E066000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Aug 28, 2007
175 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
The risk: IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA04012ClosedEngineering Analysis

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES

Opened Apr 30, 2004
Closed Feb 28, 2005

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSISTLed to recall 05V005000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 622
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2022
1 injury reported

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, he poured oil into the oil reservoir, and then placed the key into the ignition switch to turn on the vehicle when the air bags unexpectedly deployed without warning. The steering wheel air bag hit the contact's face and knocked him to the ground. The contact suffered cuts to his cheek, below his eye, and neck, as well as soreness to his neck, face, and back. The contact stated his left ear was ringing and he could not hear; however, no medical attention was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.

NHTSA ID
11470818
Incident
Jun 23, 2022
Mileage
173,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2016

BRAKE FAILURE TODAY ON CHEVY SIVERADO. DRIVING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR AHEAD OF ME SLOWED AND I BRAKED. PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING VEHICAL. WAS ABLE TO COME TO STOP AND COULD SEE RUSTED BRAKE LINES BY DRIVER DOOR. HAD WIFE PRESS BRAKE PEDDLE TO SEE FLUID SRAYING FROM RUSTED AREA. HAD ZERO BRAKING POWER WHEN FIRST WENT OUT

NHTSA ID
10850497
Incident
Mar 18, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2016

REAR BRAKE LINE BLEW WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR ANYTHING PEDAL JUST WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT TO AVOID A COLLISION AT A RED LIGHT! MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL MY BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ANOTHER ONE WAS TO FAIL.

NHTSA ID
10850145
Incident
Jan 22, 2016
Mileage
97,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 14, 2016

INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND SO ON ARE ERRATIC AND GIVING FALSE READINGS. DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST. PLEASE ADVISE, RC, ESQUIRE.

NHTSA ID
10849668
Incident
Aug 18, 2010
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME, THE ROCKER PANELS AND THE TAILGATE HINGES HAD ALSO RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10822851
Incident
Aug 15, 2015
Mileage
113,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jan 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM BOX WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED IN DECEMBER OF 2015. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,344.

NHTSA ID
10822345
Incident
Dec 18, 2015
Mileage
78,344 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 2016

I WAS DRIVING ON RT.7 IN SCHENECTADY NY, SPEED WAS AROUND 35MPH, TRAFFIC SIGNAL CHANGED TO RED, AS I WAS APPLING THE BRAKES THE PEDDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR, LUCKY FOR ME THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, OR IN THE INTERSECTION. MY TRUCK DID ENVETUALLY STOP, BUT IT WAS AFTER PASSING THRU THE INTERSECTION. THE RED LIGHT ON THE DASH DID NOT COME ON TILL THE BRAKES FAILED. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED MAIN BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR WHEELS BLEW DUE TO RUST.

NHTSA ID
10817394
Incident
Dec 7, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AT NIGHT TO DISPLAY PERTINENT INFORMATION, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 277,638.

NHTSA ID
10806351
Incident
Nov 16, 2015
Mileage
277,638 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

06-03-09-004H

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.

PIT3227M

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.

PIT3665E

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

PIC5953A

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work with the customer to insure the phone contacts to not have any Emojis loaded to any contact.

03-08-46-004R

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

This informational bulletin provides information on Part Restriction and Ordering Process Information for OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Modules (VCIM) (GMNA Only)

06-06-01-010C

ENGINE

This informational bulletin provides information on close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Silverado by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20171250040.0
2016520—
2015767052.7
201412414053.5
2013643050.8
2012682052.0
2011752048.6
2010621038.1
2009760037.9
20081622050.7
20071834258.7
200618210052.8
200531614050.7
2004Viewing62215159.9
200369513862.5
2002710151266.5
2001877151366.8
20001,305201366.6
19991,660171463.5
19982790243.0
19972720038.1
19961860039.2
19952630035.9
19942100037.1
1993690037.5
1992400036.9
1991170028.0
1990250040.0
1989220042.3
1988150038.7
1987200—
1985300—
1984500—
1982200—
1980200—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.