Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2004 Chevrolet Express 2500 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2016.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 38
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Express 2500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 85
50% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2004 compares with every other Chevrolet Express 2500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Chevrolet Express 2500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
330.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,750 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
330.0%
Median failure at 111,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
220.0%
Median failure at 59,250 miles
Equipment & Accessories
110.0%
Median failure at 21,000 miles
Electrical System
110.0%
Median failure at 26,500 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
225.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
450.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2006peak 2Oct 2016
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
NEW Port Richey, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DURING A SUDDEN STOP CHEVY 2500 EXPRESS ABS BRAKES PULLED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURRED DURING A PANIC STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THREE SEPARATE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10147553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 115,000 milesIndependence, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V043000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #10913946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesBronx, NY
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER AT AN IDLE A LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE WOULD EMIT CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE CRACKED FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #10533187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,500 milesSanford, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AS I ATTEMPTED TO SPEED UP IN TRAFFIC, I HEARD A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY ON TO A SIDE ROAD. ONCE THERE, IT WOULD NOT START. ON CLOSER INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE BELT HAD COME APART AND OFF THE PULLEY'S. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO MY HOME AND SUBSEQUENTLY, FIXED/REPLACED THE BELT. SINCE THAT TIME, I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOW KNOCKING, MORE SO WHEN I TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONING. WHEN IT BECAME LOUDER ON ALL GEARS AND WHILE PARKED, I TOOK IT TO HOLLER DRIVERS MART, IN WINTER PARK, FL. ON 01/19/2012, I WAS TOLD THAT THE FLYWHEEL HAD SHEARED AROUND THE AREA WHERE IT WAS BOLTED ONTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE. IT ALSO HAD FRACTURES IN AND AROUND THE SAME AREA OF THE SHEARING. TECH INFORMED ME THAT I HAD CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE A SERIOUS INCIDENT MAY HAVE OCCURRED. I HAVE THE FLY WHEEL AND WILL SEND PHOTOS. CONSUMER SENT IN PHOTOS. 02/07/12 UPDATED 02/07/12 *BF STATUS UPDATE 02/23/12
NHTSA complaint #10447592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesMahopac, NY
POWER TRAIN
MYSTERIOUS COOLANT LEAK. RESERVOIR IS LOW AND NEEDS REFILLING OFTEN. MECHANIC HAS PERFORMED PRESSURE TEST TO NO AVAIL. NO COOLANT ON GROUND AT ANY POINT. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF LEAK. THIS BEGAN RIGHT AFTER 2ND CRACKED FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED. AT THE SAME TIME A LIFTER KNOCK BEGAN AS WELL. 1ST FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED AT 103K (3K OUTSIDE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY). 2ND FLYWHEEL REPLACED AT 143K. VAN IS KEPT IN MINT CONDITION, OIL CHANGED EVERY 3K W/O FAIL. VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE IN OTHERWISE TERRIFIC CONDITION. 1ST AND ONLY OWNER. DATE REFERRED TO IS DATE OF 2ND FLYWHEEL CRACK.
NHTSA complaint #10336168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesMahopac, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MYSTERIOUS COOLANT LEAK. RESERVOIR IS LOW AND NEEDS REFILLING OFTEN. MECHANIC HAS PERFORMED PRESSURE TEST TO NO AVAIL. NO COOLANT ON GROUND AT ANY POINT. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF LEAK. THIS BEGAN RIGHT AFTER 2ND CRACKED FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED. AT THE SAME TIME A LIFTER KNOCK BEGAN AS WELL. 1ST FLYWHEEL WAS REPLACED AT 103K (3K OUTSIDE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY). 2ND FLYWHEEL REPLACED AT 143K. VAN IS KEPT IN MINT CONDITION, OIL CHANGED EVERY 3K W/O FAIL. VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE IN OTHERWISE TERRIFIC CONDITION. 1ST AND ONLY OWNER. DATE REFERRED TO IS DATE OF 2ND FLYWHEEL CRACK.
NHTSA complaint #10336168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mahopac, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REPEATED CRACKED FLYWHEEL. ORIGINAL CRACKED JUST OVER 100K MILES. REPLACEMENT NOW CRACKED 40K MILES LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10325828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,500 milesDES Moines, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2004 SILVERADO 2500 HD WITH 26,500 MILES ON IT. I HAD MY TRUCK SERVICED FOR SPEEDOMETER THAT WAS NOT WORKING AND WAS TOLD BY KARL CHEVY HERE IN ANKENY, IA THAT ALL OF MY ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUST. GM OUGHT TO FIX MY BRAKES FOR FREE, THEY NEED TO RECALL. I AM 61 AND HAVE OWNED A FEW AUTOMOBILES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THE MAJORITY OF MILES ARE HIGHWAY. I HAVE BEEN IN A RIDESHARE POOL USING A METRO VAN PROVIDED TO OUR POOL FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS AS THE MAIN DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10299911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,500 milesDES Moines, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I OWN A 2004 SILVERADO 2500 HD WITH 26,500 MILES ON IT. I HAD MY TRUCK SERVICED FOR SPEEDOMETER THAT WAS NOT WORKING AND WAS TOLD BY KARL CHEVY HERE IN ANKENY, IA THAT ALL OF MY ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUST. GM OUGHT TO FIX MY BRAKES FOR FREE, THEY NEED TO RECALL. I AM 61 AND HAVE OWNED A FEW AUTOMOBILES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THE MAJORITY OF MILES ARE HIGHWAY. I HAVE BEEN IN A RIDESHARE POOL USING A METRO VAN PROVIDED TO OUR POOL FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS AS THE MAIN DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10299911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesOAK Lawn, IL
EQUIPMENT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRICAL MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE AUDIO WARNING SYSTEM IS LOCATED IN THE ORIGINAL RADIO. THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE RADIO AND LOST ALL OF THE AUDIO WARNING SYSTEMS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND DETERMINED THE MODULE WAS IN THE ORIGINAL RADIO AND IT SHOULD BE PUT BACK IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10159219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DURING A SUDDEN STOP CHEVY 2500 EXPRESS ABS BRAKES PULLED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURRED DURING A PANIC STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THREE SEPARATE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10147553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.