Severe Issues

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. This model year has 1,847 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Brake System.

1,847
Complaints
113
Crashes
29
Fires
71
Injuries
6
Deaths
15
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2004 Chevrolet Silverado Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
740
complaints

Brake System

Crash-related:67
Fires:2
Injuries:20
#2
539
complaints

Electrical Faults

Crash-related:2
Fires:18
Injuries:4
#3
266
complaints

Hydraulic

Crash-related:34
Injuries:13

Considering a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Brake System740672β€”
Electrical Faults539218β€”
Hydraulic26634β€”β€”
Steering Defects1425β€”β€”
Engine Problems11856β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain9361β€”
Airbag Malfunctions6937β€”β€”
Fuel System5912β€”
Unintended Acceleration493β€”β€”
Structural Problems476β€”β€”
Suspension Failures472β€”β€”
Tire Issues392β€”β€”
Gasoline37β€”1β€”
Equipment361β€”β€”
Visibility35β€”2β€”
Uncategorized Issues272β€”β€”
Wheel Issues221β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures1911β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System18β€”β€”β€”
Diesel1711β€”
Seat-Related Issues10β€”1β€”
Door Lock Issues8β€”β€”β€”
Parking-Brake Issues8β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues6β€”β€”β€”
Air5β€”β€”β€”
Other5β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)4β€”1β€”
Electric4β€”β€”β€”
Trailer Hitches31β€”β€”
Interior Lighting2β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper1β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 400 most recent complaints of 1,847 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Electrical FaultsJul 8, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact was interested in purchasing a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 from a local used car dealer. The contact stated that the odometer indicated that the mileage was 187,000. The Carfax report indicated that the last reported mileage was 312,000. In addition,…

Brake SystemDec 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the brake and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle hesit…

Steering DefectsJun 29, 2024

I just replaced the battery in my 2004 chevy Silverado 1500 with only 97,000 miles on it, and i went to drive it down the road and the vehicle now loses power and cuts off making a left turn.. It did this twice and i parked it.. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE in my opinion..…

Brake SystemApr 8, 2024

The contact's son owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while his son was exiting a parking lot, the brake pedal hose ruptured, and the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that there was a hole in the …

Wheel IssuesMar 1, 2024

While driving the right front factory steel wheel rusted out to the point where the wheel center separated from the outer part of the rim on 4 of the 5 spokes, this caused a dangerous wobble to occur and if the vehicle wasn't being driven in the city I believe this would have res…

Electrical FaultsFeb 13, 2024

My dash Cluster quit working,the only part that works I can read my miles but I don't have the PRND321.

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashJan 6, 2024

Abs system is failing light comes on then brakes don’t catch, airbags message keeps coming on . Pulling in to store when it done it end up hitting the metal pipe in from of store to stop

Steering DefectsDec 20, 2023

Hydraboost piston blew out, lost brakes and steering. Almost wrecked vehicle.

Transmission / DrivetrainOct 20, 2023

Wholes are developing in the transfer case near the output shaft and all the fluid leaks out causing the transfer case to grenade.

Electrical FaultsOct 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure gauge was elevated too high. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed instrument cluster. The vehicle was …

Suspension FailuresSep 25, 2023

UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS FAILED IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS

Structural ProblemsπŸ’₯ CrashOct 31, 2022

Vehicle was involved in motor vehicle collision. This unit was struck broadside by a semi resulting in the cab and box of this unit to separate from the frame. The frame of this unit, cab, and box all came to final rest in different locations in the scene with the driver remain…

Airbag MalfunctionsJun 24, 2022

The contact owns aΒ 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…

Transmission / DrivetrainNov 18, 2021

The transfer case wore a pine hole in the case from the oil pump spring lock not securing movement causing me to loose all oil from transfer case. This left me stranded when I could not shift into 4 wheel drive the could not get it to re- engage 2wheel drive. This could have poss…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashSep 14, 2021

Collided with a bear at 55mph with significant front end damage. Air bags were commanded to deploy and never did. I have contacted GM about the problem and have been told to wait for a claim advisor as no recalls are active on my vehicle.

Transmission / DrivetrainπŸ’₯ CrashSep 4, 2021

# 1 is the 4l60E transmission that sits on the exhaust and runs next to it on the opposite side the heat from the trans itself and the exhaust overheat the gasket which causes weak spots that leak along with burning up the 3-4 clutch. Lost everything but 1&2,R,N on trip to Illino…

Suspension FailuresJul 6, 2021

Front Suspension repaired fixed but did not fixed the vibration in front tires. Front Driver Side Hub and Bearing Assembly Failed since I had truck(used). Had front end redone but wheel still vibrated and took it too dealership July 3, 2021 and stated the Hub and Bearing grindin…

Brake SystemMay 16, 2021

Vehicle was being driven when "Service Brake System" appeared in the DIC. Vehicle was safely returned to owners home where it was discovered a master cylinder failure had occurred. The master cylinder contained no brake fluid, the booster was covered in brake fluid, and fluid was…

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 4, 2021

CRACKED DASHBOARD, EXTERIOR COLOR FADED,

Brake SystemNov 13, 2020

WHEN YOU APPLY THE PARKING BREAK THROUGH A FOOT PEDAL ON THIS YEAR OF TRUCK AND THEN PULL THE HANDLE TO RELEASE IT THE PARKING BREAK WILL ONLY COME BACK A LITTLE UNTIL YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY REACH DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND PULL THE PARKING BREAK FOOT PETAL BACK UP TO OPERATIONAL HEIGHT…

Page 1 of 20

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado.

Recalls for 2004 Chevrolet Silverado

15 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

08E050000Nov 8, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

06E060000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

06V289000Mar 8, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

06E023000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

05V163000Invalid Date
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

05V043000Aug 2, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

06E064000Invalid Date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

05V161000Invalid Date
PARKING BRAKE

07E066000Invalid Date
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

06V417000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

07E106000Invalid Date
WHEELS:HUB

04V045000Apr 2, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

04E022000Invalid Date
EQUIPMENT

04V129000Invalid Date
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

04V225000Nov 5, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

2004 Chevrolet Silverado β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2004 Chevrolet Silverado has 1,847 NHTSA owner complaints, 113 crash-related, and 15 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Brake System (740 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?β–Ύ

#1: Brake System (740 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (539 complaints). #3: Hydraulic (266 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?β–Ύ

The 2004 Chevrolet Silverado has 113 crash-related complaints and 29 fire reports out of 1,847 total NHTSA complaints. 71 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?β–Ύ

The 2004 Chevrolet Silverado has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Brake System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Silverado reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2004 Chevrolet Silverado

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.