2004 Chevrolet W3500 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 W3500, 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
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
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 .