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2004 Chevrolet Silverado Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 622 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, most often about the brakes (34% of complaints, typically around 68,500 miles). It is 5th of 18 Silverado model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Brakes
209 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist, pedals and linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floor when depressed. The contact shifted into first gear. The vehicle coasted for three minutes before it stopped. The emergency brake was not applied. The contact drove the vehicle home without functioning brakes. He…
I was driving up tp a stop light when the light turned red there was a car in front of me that had stopped, I realized I didn't have a lot of room but thought it would be enough to stop. I put the pedal to the floor and still hit them two people were injured. Then on 9/8/07 and a deer ran out iin front of me, again my…
Electrical
159 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, ignition, horn.
While traveling, my speedometer on my 2004 chevy Silverado would not read an accurate mileage, for example while traveling 60 MPH, the speedometer would be in excess of 100 MPH, thus causing a safety issue, due to the fact that I do not know the exact speed of my vehicle, and can only judge that my vehicle is…
Under normal driving conditions the speedometer on some gm trucks will hang when decelerating and when accelerating again the speedometer starts from the position that it hung. The part that is failing is a motor that controls the speedometer and to replace the part you must replace the whole instrument cluster at a…
Transmission
49 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 12,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
On three separate occasions while applying the brake pedal it went to the floor. The vehicle failed to stop. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, the mechanic could not duplicate the problem at this time. The ABS/brake light stayed on, there was an…
Dt: the contact stated vehicle would not go into park. He thought he had put the car into park but when he began to exit the vehicle it started moving. When he looked at the shift indicator it was in reverse. He checked to see if there was something lodged in the column shift. The contact said he did not find anything…
Steering
44 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, linkages, hydraulic power assist, column.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado...the steering column makes a horrible clunking noise. We have had it replaced several times under warranty but now there's no warranty and these parts and labor are too expensive to fix. The dealer says and I know from owning another 2003 Chevrolet suburban than this is a major problem with…
While driving vehicle front left steel brake line burst due to excessive rust. After inspecting the remaining lines under the vehicle all of the metal lines , including the fuel and power steering lines are excessively rusted to the point they needed to be replaced.the repair cost 1200 dollars.
Air bags
31 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I had an accident in my 2004 chevy truck at a speed of approx 80 MPH head on impact. The truck was totaled but my air bags didn't work. I made a complaint to gmac, they had an investigation and according to them there was nothing wrong with the air bags. I find that hard to believe with that kind of impact, this is a…
While driving the air bag light came on , and the computer read out, saying servicing air bag. The consumer took vehicle to the dealer, they placed it on the computer and stated it showed no defects, and warranty has expired.
Engine
31 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
While pulling inside of the garage the consumer applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle stopped by hitting the house wall. The braking before the crash caused the ABS and the engine lights to appear on the dashboard which remained on. The consumer was able to drive to the dealer for inspection.…
2004.5 lly 2500hd Silverado duramax towing 1700 lund prosport in ~85 degree ambient. I was required to turn of the A/C and limit the power as the engine temp continued to climb beyond 210 and into the 235-240 degree range. This is a constant probelm with this engine under minimal load. Dealer has no fix for this truck…
Body and structure
25 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Yesterday I was standing on my tailgate to strap down the lumber on my overhead rack. Suddenly the tailgate collapse down and slams into my bumper. I was shaken but not hurt. I was looking at my tailgate to determine what had just happened, I noticed that both cables that hold up the tailgate were broken apart in the…
All my lines under truck rusted out brake lines shift linkage transmission lines. Brakes were the worst lines popped from rust.I keep this truck in a garage not used commercially. I'm a hospice nurse and need to get where I'm going. I keep this truck mint detailed twice a year professionally maintained every 3000…
Wheels and tires
24 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, temporary/emergency spare tire, sidewall.
(1) driving vehicle on interstate at highway speed, 65-70 MPH. (2) tire, interior sidewall failure, of driver side rear. (3) dealer replaced with a new tire, n/c. (4) vehicle unloaded. Tires 17,000 mls wear.
All 5 (five) tires that came on my 2004 Silverado are dry rotting. I am a 59 year old disabled woman and vehicle had 18000 when my son noticed the rotting.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
Fix: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
Full defect summary
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Full defect summary
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Full defect summary
Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: The standard requires child seat lower anchorages in two seating positions for vehicles with three rear seating positions. The standard cab and cargo van vehicles, which only have front seating positions, have an air bag off switch to disable the front passenger air bag and do not have child restraint lower anchorages in the passenger seat. The standard requires passenger seat child seat lower anchorages in vehicles with an air bag off switch. However, the standard does not require vehicles with only front seating positions to have lower anchorage provisions if the vehicle is not equipped with
Fix: To bring the standard cab and cargo van vehicles into compliance, dealers will inject epoxy into the air bag off switch to prevent air bag activation, relocate the switch behind the instrument panel and then install a cover over the resulting opening. The sun visor label and owner's manual will also be changed. The correction for the extended cab vehicle will consist of changing the front passenger seat to a seat that has child restraint lower anchorages. The recall began on september 9, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Certain extended and regular cab pickup trucks and cargo vans converted to compressed natural gas (cng) fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have one seating position, the center rear seat, equipped with child restraint lower anchorages.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hydraulic pump failres
Summary
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.
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (209 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); electrical (159 complaints, typically around 48,500 miles); transmission (49 complaints, typically around 12,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 31, 2006 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Silverado?
- It is 5th of 18 Silverado model years by number of complaints, with 622 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.