MYRModel Year Report

2004 Chevrolet Silverado

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Chevrolet Silverado
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
622
Recalls
15

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1982: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 22 complaints 1990: 25 complaints 1991: 17 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 69 complaints 1993 1994: 210 complaints 1995: 263 complaints 1996: 186 complaints 1997: 272 complaints 1998: 279 complaints 1998 1999: 1,660 complaints 2000: 1,305 complaints 2001: 877 complaints 2002: 710 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2004: 622 complaints 2004 622 2005: 316 complaints 2006: 182 complaints 2007: 183 complaints 2008: 162 complaints 2008 2009: 76 complaints 2010: 62 complaints 2011: 75 complaints 2012: 68 complaints 2013: 64 complaints 2013 2014: 124 complaints 2015: 76 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 125 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1982: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1989: 22 complaints 1989 1990: 25 complaints 1991: 17 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 69 complaints 1994: 210 complaints 1995: 263 complaints 1995 1996: 186 complaints 1997: 272 complaints 1998: 279 complaints 1998 1999: 1,660 complaints 2000: 1,305 complaints 2001: 877 complaints 2001 2002: 710 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2004: 622 complaints 2004 622 2005: 316 complaints 2006: 182 complaints 2007: 183 complaints 2007 2008: 162 complaints 2009: 76 complaints 2010: 62 complaints 2010 2011: 75 complaints 2012: 68 complaints 2013: 64 complaints 2013 2014: 124 complaints 2015: 76 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2016 2017: 125 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1982: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 15 complaints 1989: 22 complaints 1989 1990: 25 complaints 1991: 17 complaints 1991 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 69 complaints 1993 1994: 210 complaints 1995: 263 complaints 1995 1996: 186 complaints 1997: 272 complaints 1997 1998: 279 complaints 1999: 1,660 complaints 1999 2000: 1,305 complaints 2001: 877 complaints 2001 2002: 710 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2004: 622 complaints 2004 622 2005: 316 complaints 2006: 182 complaints 2007: 183 complaints 2007 2008: 162 complaints 2009: 76 complaints 2009 2010: 62 complaints 2011: 75 complaints 2011 2012: 68 complaints 2013: 64 complaints 2013 2014: 124 complaints 2015: 76 complaints 2015 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017

2004: 622 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19822
19845
19853
19872
198815
198922
199025
199117
199240
199369
1994210
1995263
1996186
1997272
1998279
19991,660
20001,305
2001877
2002710
2003695
2004622
2005316
2006182
2007183
2008162
200976
201062
201175
201268
201364
2014124
201576
20165
2017125

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

35% · 215 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while braking for a traffic stop, the brakes abnormally traveled to the floorboard and the vehicle did not respond. As a result, the contact crashed into a pedestrian.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-01

Electrical system

26% · 162 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

8% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that after parking and exiting the vehicle, she heard an abnormal clicking noise as the vehicle started to roll away in reverse.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-20

Front axle assembly failed causing the vehicle to vere left into a telephone pole in my driveway. I was traveling according to the computer 20 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-08

Steering

7% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and pump.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Air bags

5% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-06-24

While driving 40 MPH vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Passenger sustained injuries to neck, jaw, and a broken arm.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-04

Safety timeline

15 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 622 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-03-31Equipment04E022000 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…

    Remedy: Durakon will issue a press release in attempt to notify customers that could have purchased the defective bedliner. If you purchased either a durakon allstar of patriot overrail bedliner since…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2004-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-28 Hydraulic pump failres
  4. R
    2004-06-18Service brakes, hydraulic04V045000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2004-09-09Seat belts04V225000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2004-09-18Structure04V129000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2005-03-23Service brakes, hydraulic05V043000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2005-07-21Seat belts05V163000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2005-07-29Parking brake05V161000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 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…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 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…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2006-08-31Engine and engine cooling06V289000 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.

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2006-11-06Air bags06V417000 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.

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 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…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2008-02-07Wheels07E106000 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…

    Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify customers and will replace the hub assembly free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2008. Owners can contact federal-mogul toll-free at 877-489-6659.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Chevrolet Silverado — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 215 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 162 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 51 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 04E022000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V045000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 04V225000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 04V129000 · Structure
  • Recall 05V043000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 05V163000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 05V161000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V289000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 06V417000 · Air bags
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 07E106000 · Wheels
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado have?
15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.