RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet W3500

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.
4
Latest Aug 13, 2014
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.
1
Latest Apr 20, 2005
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet W3500, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 80 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

  • Engine228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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
05V168000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Apr 20, 2005
253 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RPO IK9, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DURABILITY AND TESTING, THE FUEL SWITCHING MANIFOLD SOLENOIDS LACK WATER OR SALT INTRUSION RESISTANCE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE SOLENOIDS. FUEL SWITCHING MANIFOLD SOLENOID FAILURE WILL CAUSE INCORRECT FUEL DELIVERY RESULTING IN FUEL OVERFLOW FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.
The risk: OVERFLOW FUEL MAY RESULT IN HIGH AMOUNT OF DIESEL FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOLENOID VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH AN IMPROVED ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ADDITIONAL DETECTION CIRCUIT AND ENHANCED WATER RESISTANCE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICAManufacturer number 05053View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureEngine
Filed Aug 13, 2014

THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE ARE BROKEN OFF CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS BOTH SIDE MOTOR. THE CAB OF THIS VEHICLE SITS OVER THE MOTOR SO YOU CAN SMELL RAW EXHAUST INSIDE THE VEHICLE.. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS POSTED ONLINE AND YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A SIMILAR TRUCK TO MINE AND HE HAS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622124
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
63,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET C3500 TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS LEAKING. FUMES EMITTED THROUGHOUT THE CABIN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. UPDATED 05/26/11

NHTSA ID
10395710
Incident
Mar 18, 2011
Mileage
152,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed May 24, 2007

VEHICLE WAS TOWING A TRAILER. WHEN THE LEFT REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKE OFF THE AXLE. THE BRAKE LINE IS BOLTED TO THE SHOCK MOUNT. WHEN THE MOUNT BROKE, IT TOOK OUT THE BRAKE LINE, WATCH RESULTED IN THE LOSE OF BRAKES. AFTER HAVING A WELDER LOOK AT THE BRACKET WE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE WELDS FROM THE FACTORY WERE TO COLD TO PENETRATE THE BRACKET OR THE AXLE. WE PUT NEW BRAKE LINE ON AND REMOUNTED THE SHOCK BRACKET TO AXLE. WE REROUTED THE BRAKE LINE SO IT WAS NOT ON THE SHOCK MOUNT.

NHTSA ID
10191611
Incident
May 22, 2007
Mileage
215,900 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL PUMP, COMPUTER SENSOR, AND FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ,AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10094656
Incident
Jul 5, 2004

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

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 W3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010000—
2009020—
2008030—
2007230—
2006230—
2005200—
2004Viewing410—
2003410—
2001201—
2000001—
1999000—
1998110—

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.