Is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
622 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado are in line with other Silverado years. Brakes and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Silverado owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 207 (33%) | 32k–100k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 159 (26%) | 38k–71k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 31 (5%) | 11k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 25 (4%) | 4k–72k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 25 (4%) | 13k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 22 (4%) | 20k–98k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 49 (8%) | 2k–45k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 44 (7%) | 15k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 23 (4%) | 23k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 23 (4%) | 5k–31k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 21 (3%) | 2k–27k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 20 (3%) | 8k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 18 (3%) | 4k–48k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 622 complaints: 56 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 30 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
1. Noticed transmission slipping over the last few months 2. A few weeks ago, the tail light, right turn signal and cruise control and dash lights started malfunctioning 3.
The vehicle has problems shifting from first to second gear. Sometimes the gears change smoothly, and other times there is a thumping sound accompanied by jerking.
A clunk sound emanates from the driveline of my 2004 Silverado mostly when shifting from 2nd to 3rd and from 3rd to 2ND.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado: 15
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." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. Wheel separation can result in a vehicle crash.
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. If the trailer lights are not working properly, a vehicle crash can occur.
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. 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.
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. If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. 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…
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. If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
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. 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.
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… The standard requires child seat lower anchorages in two seating positions for vehicles with three rear seating positions.
Aftermarket pickup truck over-the-rail bedliners manufactured for installation on 1999-2004 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC sierra pickup trucks. The toggle wing assembly used to attach the bedliner to the truck bed is not engaging fully in the stake pocket of the pickup truck. The bedliner can become detached from the pickup while it is motion, possibly endangering following motorists or pedestrians.
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. 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.
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. Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 42
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period
Gmc/chevrolet: engines, with EGR system, has leakage from EGR cooler engine coolant into the combustion chamber
General motors: an optional engine block heater plug in for onboard ac power and with continuous usage will result in shorting of wires, over heating system…
Diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on at low mileage
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Hydraulic pump failres
Neighbouring years
2003 Silverado: 694 complaints, keep it · 2005 Silverado: 316 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Silverado year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
622 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (207), electrical system (159), air bags (31), body structure (25), engine (25).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Wheels (NHTSA 07E106000), Equipment (NHTSA 07E066000), Air bags (NHTSA 06V-417) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.