Total Complaints
9 filings
CHEVROLET W3500 · model year
2004 CHEVROLET W3500
9 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004CHEVROLETW3500 carries 9 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 W3500 is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump with 1 filings, followed by electrical system (1) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (1). 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. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2004 W3500, 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.
9
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
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
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
Recalls (1)
05V16800020/04/2005
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RPO IK9, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DURABILITY AND TESTING, THE FUEL SWITCHING MANIFOLD SOLENOIDS LACK WATER OR SALT INTRUSION RESISTANCE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE SOLENOIDS. FUEL SWITCHING MANIFOLD SOLENOID FAILURE WILL CAUSE INCORRECT FUEL DELIVERY RESULTI
Recent Complaints
20140813ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Mileage: 63,000
20140813STRUCTURE
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
Mileage: 63,000
20110413ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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
Mileage: 152,000
20110413ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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
Mileage: 152,000
20070524SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
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.
Mileage: 215,900
20070524SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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.
Mileage: 215,900
20040929FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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
20040929ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
20040929FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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
Compare 2004CHEVROLETW3500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2004 CHEVROLET W3500 have?▼
The 2004 CHEVROLET W3500 has 9 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 CHEVROLET W3500?▼
Yes, the 2004 CHEVROLET W3500 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHEVROLET W3500?▼
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHEVROLET W3500 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS.
Is the 2004 CHEVROLET W3500 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.