FaultScore report
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD with NHTSA between 2006 and 2020. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.
FaultScore 17/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD.
How this is worked out21
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
68,700 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
15%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 84,892 miles
Median failure at 56,000 miles
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Median failure at 84,500 miles
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STEERING
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
NHTSA complaint #11323155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL 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 CLUSTER PANEL TO ALERT US WHEN SOMETHING IS GOING AWRY. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY RAN INTO THIS ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK AND IT ONLY HAS APPROX 50,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY STARTED WORKING WITH THE CHEVY COMPANY BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL SO FAR IN GETTING ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THIS AND I AM TOLD IT WILL BE APPROX $800.00 TO R & R IT. I TRULY HOPE THAT OTHER OWNERS WILL COME FORWARD WITH THIS ISSUE AND IF WE STAND TOGETHER WE CAN CONVENIENCE CHEVROLET THAT THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT AND PROVIDE US WITH SOME TYPE OF COMPENSATION FOR THIS ISSUE. I LIKE MY TRUCK AND WOULD RATHER GET IT FIXED THEN GET RID OF IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11025124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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
NHTSA complaint #10909897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/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
NHTSA complaint #10909897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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?
NHTSA complaint #10605571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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 LINES ON 1950 MODEL CARS ARE STILL STRONGER THAN THESE RUSTED OUT 9 YEAR OLD LINES. THE UNIT IS DESIGNED TO RUN A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES. ITS ONLY DESIGNED TO STOP BY MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ABOUT 50 THOUSAND MILES. ITS AS IF THE LEADERSHIP AT GM FORGOT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THE UNIT STOP. SOMEONE WAS PROBABLY REWARDED FOR SAVING THE COST IN THE CHANGE OF MATERIAL OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE SAVINGS DRIVEN BY COST REDUCTION IN THE MATERIALS ORGANIZATION IS IN THIS CASE VERY BAD FOR BUSINESS. AFTER ALL IF A PRODUCT ENDS UP REDUCING THE NUMBERS OF CUSTOMERS THROUGH ACCIDENTS IT HAS TO IMPACT YOUR SALES. THESE PEOPLE MARKET THEIR PRODUCT AS ONE LONGEST RUNNING VEHICLES IN THE MARKET PLACE. CURRENT CONDITIONS ALSO HAS THEM THE LONGEST STOPPING VEHICLES IN CLASS.
NHTSA complaint #10586559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10484837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10482401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10482401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES CORRODED THROUGH DURING NORMAL OPERATION - RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. MECHANIC ESTIMATES $1200.00 FOR R&R.
NHTSA complaint #10464770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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 UNDERCARRIAGE. UPDATED 05/31/12
NHTSA complaint #10451616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10410639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE 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).
NHTSA complaint #10328112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10307887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10260683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10254656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10178118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10178118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10178118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: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.
NHTSA complaint #10165509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED INTO ANOTHER LANE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH DUE MILD TO MEDIUM WINDS. WHILE STEERING TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE THE WIND STOPPED BLOWING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE OVERCORRECTED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TRAVEL TWO LANES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OR REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH A FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ON 07/26/06.
NHTSA complaint #10163078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.