CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD · model year

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD

21 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CHEVROLETSILVERADO 1500 HD carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 SILVERADO 1500 HD is service brakes with 5 filings, followed by steering (4) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2004 SILVERADO 1500 HD, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

21
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES5
STEERING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20200503STEERING

POWER STEERING WAS MAKING NOISE I ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE LEAK I HAD MORE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT KEPT ON LEAKING NOW THE STEERING GOT SO HARD TO HARD TO TURN SO WENT TO THE STORE BUY SOME POWER STEERING FLUID ADDED TURN ON THE TRUCK AND LICKED IT ALL SO NOW THE POWER STEERING IS HARD TO TURN

20170922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW CAB AND MY SERVICE SHOP HAS DETERMINED THE CLUSTER PANEL IS FAULTY IT PRESENTS MISREADINGS WHICH IS CAUSING ERROR CODES READINGS IN THE COMPUTER. THEY TESTED THE OIL PRESSURE AND THE TACH AND SAID THE COMPONENTS WERE WORKING CORRECTLY WITH IN RANGE IN SPITE OF THE FACT THE GAUGE DIALS ON THE PANEL WERE SHOWING THINGS WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY OR WITH IN RANGE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE TACHOMETER GAUGE DIAL PERIODICALLY EITHER DOES NOT REGISTER IT WILL STAY AT ZERO, OTHER TIMES IT WILL EXCEED ABOVE THE HIGHEST # ON THE PANEL. THE OIL GAUGE DIAL STAYS CONSISTENTLY IN THE SAME POSITION WHICH EXCEEDS ABOVE THE HIGHEST # READING LEVEL ON THE PANEL. PERIODICALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAYS ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL GO OFF FOR ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, HOW ARE DRIVERS TO KNOW IF SOMETHING IS TRULY WRONG WITH THE TRUCK WHEN THE CLUSTER PANEL IS NOT PRESENTING THE CORRECT READING. WE DEPEND ON THE

Mileage: 50,000

20160927ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. TWO DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 04/06/17 LJ *TR

Mileage: 35,000

20160927FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. TWO DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 04/06/17 LJ *TR

Mileage: 35,000

20140624SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKES HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS NOT PARTICULARLY UNEXPECTED GIVEN THE VEHICLE HAS 155,000 MILES. HOWEVER WHEN WE TRIED TO PURCHASE NEW PARTS WE WERE ADVISED THAT GENERAL MOTORS NO LONGER SUPPORTS OR MANUFACTURES THE NECESSARY PARTS ( ROTORS,PUMPS, ETC) FOR THE YEAR OF VEHICLE. HOW CAN THEY SIMPLY STOP MAKING PARTS FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS JUST 10 YEARS OLD? WE WERE TOLD TO GO TO A SCRAP YARD AND SEE IF WE COULD SCROUNGE THE NECESSARY PARTS THERE ! SHOULD THEY NOT BE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT ANY VEHICLE THEY MANUFACTURE? AND NOT SIMPLY DECIDE NOT TO MAKE PARTS ANY LONGER BECAUSE IT MAY NOT BE PROFITABLE? WHAT IS GOING ON AT GM? WHAT ELSE DON'T WE KNOW ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICES ON TOP OF THE OTHER GM SCANDALS THAT WE SEE LATELY, LEADING TO DEATH AND MAYHEM FOR INNOCENT CAR OWNERS? *TR

Mileage: 155,000

20140505SERVICE BRAKES

TOWING A HEAVY BOAT AT INTERSTATE SPEED LIMIT IN KANSAS. APPLIED BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUISE UPON APPROACH TO EXIT RAMP. NOTICED MORE THAN USUAL PEDAL TRAVEL AND BEGAN TO PUMP TO FIND SOME BRAKES. PUMPING DID NOTHING, FULLY DEPRESSING IS ALL THAT WOULD SLOW VEHICLE. GOING DOWNHILL AND APPROACHING STOP AT END OF RAMP. ENDED UP GOING THROUGH STOP SIGN WITHOUT STOPPING. COULDN'T STOP WOULDN'T STOP. ROLLED THROUGH STOP SIGN INTERSECTING HIGHWAY SPEED 60 MPH. MADE THE TURN AND GOT STOPPED SOON AFTER SIGN BUT COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN HARMS WAY FROM INTERSECTING TRAFFIC HAD I PANICKED FROM NOT HAVING CONTROL AND WARNING LIGHTS AND ALARMS. AT LEAST I WOULD HAVE KNOWN SOMETHING WAS WRONG 5 SECONDS BEFORE GETTING T-BONED. ONCE UPON A TIME THE BODY WOULD RUST LIKE A REAR BUMPER IN ABOUT 10 YEARS. CHEVROLET SPENT MONEY TO MAKE THE PAINT LAST LONGER ON THE BODY. THAT RUST WOULD MAKE YOU GET PAINT OR A NEW TRUCK. IT WOULDN'T OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INJURE OR KILL YOU OR OTHERS. BRAKE LI

Mileage: 80,000

20121115SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT WHO DISCOVERED THE RUST ON THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE BRAKES. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,785.

Mileage: 89,785

20121026SERVICE BRAKES

WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF A 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 4WD TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD BRAKE LINES GO TWICE. THE LAST TIME WAS AT OUR TOWN DUMP. MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED WITH THE TRUCK IN PARK AND WHEN HE PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PUT THE TRUCK IN GEAR THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO REAL STOPPING POWER. HE CHECKED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE AND THAT, TOO, WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT CHEVY HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE SUCH DANGEROUS ENGINEERING ON SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS BRAKES. WE ALSO HAVE RUSTED TRANSMISSION LINES AND BACKER PLATES. IT IS GOING TO COST $2,000 (TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT A RECALL BE MADE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING ON SUCH A NECESSARY FUNCTION. WE ARE LUCKY THAT WE WERE IN PARK AND PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO GEAR FROM PARK WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20121026POWER TRAIN

WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS OF A 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 4WD TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD BRAKE LINES GO TWICE. THE LAST TIME WAS AT OUR TOWN DUMP. MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED WITH THE TRUCK IN PARK AND WHEN HE PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PUT THE TRUCK IN GEAR THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO REAL STOPPING POWER. HE CHECKED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE AND THAT, TOO, WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT CHEVY HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE SUCH DANGEROUS ENGINEERING ON SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS BRAKES. WE ALSO HAVE RUSTED TRANSMISSION LINES AND BACKER PLATES. IT IS GOING TO COST $2,000 (TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT A RECALL BE MADE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING ON SUCH A NECESSARY FUNCTION. WE ARE LUCKY THAT WE WERE IN PARK AND PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO GEAR FROM PARK WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20120709SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINES CORRODED THROUGH DURING NORMAL OPERATION - RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. MECHANIC ESTIMATES $1200.00 FOR R&R. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

20120314SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING AT AN EXTREMELY SLOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FOUR BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE TECHNICIAN PATCHED THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINES AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO EVENTUALLY HAVE THE FOUR BRAKE LINES REPLACED DUE TO A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,400. UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE INVOICE, ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE HEAVILY CORRODED AS WAS THE

Mileage: 65,400

20110706SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUSTED STEEL BRAKE LINE. RUST OF COMPONENT WAS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER DOOR. CURRENTLY HAVING TROUBLE FINDING MANUFACTURER REPLACEMENT PART. LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO BEND MY OWN LINE. THE TRUCK HAS 40,000 MILES AND LOCATED IN TENNESSEE. THE TRUCK IS MAINLY USED ON A FARM AND HAS NOT BEEN ON SALTY ROADS TO A GREAT EXTENT. FORTUNATELY THE INCIDENT WAS WHILE USING THE TRUCK ON THE FARM SO THERE WAS NO DAMAGE OR BODILY HARM. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. IN 2010 I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS BECAUSE OF RUST. THE REAREND IS ALSO RUSTED ON THE TRUCK - SPRINGS, CARRIAGE, REAREND. *TR

Mileage: 40,864

20100429SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 METAL BRAKE LINES BLEW OUT ON MY 2004 CHEVY 1/2 TON PU. THEY HAD BEEN RUSTED NEARLY THROUGH AND FIRST ONE BLEW THEN THE SECOND DIAGONAL IN A HARD STOP LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKES EXCEPT THE EMERGENCY. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY BUT IT SURE COULD HAVE BEEN. THE LINES SEEMED TO HAVE LITTLE OR NO COATING TO PROTECT THEM FROM RUST AND CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN THIS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 55,000

20100209STEERING

HAD TO REPLACE INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT FOR THE THIRD TIME. PROBLEM WITH DRIVING SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. THE UNIVERSALS HAVE NO GREASE FITTINGS, SO THE BEARINGS WEAR OUT OR GIVE OUT. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

20090304STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME MUCH HARDER TO OPERATE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

20090111ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK AN DOES NOT ACCURATELY GIVE SPEED. THERE ARE SO MANY REPAIR FACILITIES FOR THIS THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

20070108POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*- ON 08/30/06 CONTACT'S VEHICLE CHANGED FROM THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE GEAR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SAME DAY THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED ACTUAL SPEED INACCURATELY. ON 8/31/06 THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ICP AND THE ATC MODULE. ON 01/05/07 WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE SHOWED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBED. UPDATED 02/13/07. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

20070108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*- ON 08/30/06 CONTACT'S VEHICLE CHANGED FROM THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE GEAR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SAME DAY THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED ACTUAL SPEED INACCURATELY. ON 8/31/06 THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ICP AND THE ATC MODULE. ON 01/05/07 WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE SHOWED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBED. UPDATED 02/13/07. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

20070108STEERING

TL*- ON 08/30/06 CONTACT'S VEHICLE CHANGED FROM THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE GEAR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SAME DAY THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED ACTUAL SPEED INACCURATELY. ON 8/31/06 THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ICP AND THE ATC MODULE. ON 01/05/07 WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE SHOWED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBED. UPDATED 02/13/07. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

20060815STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SERVICE DEALER OFFERED TO REPACK THE STEERING COLUMN WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE GREASE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE VEHICLE INSURER ABOUT THE AFTERMARKET PART RECALL # 06E010000, PITMAN ARM. THE AFTER MARKET PARTS MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

Mileage: 40,000

Compare 2004CHEVROLETSILVERADO 1500 HD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD have?
The 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD has 21 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD is SERVICE BRAKES with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.