FaultScore

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 suspension problems

13 of the 951 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are about the suspension — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,000 miles.

A

13

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Suspension 7 53.8%
Wheel Bearing 2 15.4%
Front 1 7.7%
Control ARM 1 7.7%
Spindle 1 7.7%
Upper Ball Joint 1 7.7%

Suspension across every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year

1997 36 7.3%
1998 19 3.9%
1999 30 6.1%
2000 24 4.9%
2001 10 2.0%
2002 14 2.9%
2003 15 3.1%
2004 13 2.7%
2005 21 4.3%
2006 30 6.1%
2007 16 3.3%
2008 18 3.7%
2011 19 3.9%
2013 21 4.3%
2014 47 9.6%
2015 22 4.5%
2016 30 6.1%
2017 15 3.1%
2018 32 6.5%
2019 22 4.5%
2020 20 4.1%
2021 16 3.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Blanchard, OK

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS FAILED IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS

NHTSA complaint #11546459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Ewen, NY

SUSPENSION

Front Suspension repaired fixed but did not fixed the vibration in front tires. Front Driver Side Hub and Bearing Assembly Failed since I had truck(used). Had front end redone but wheel still vibrated and took it too dealership July 3, 2021 and stated the Hub and Bearing grinding and growling and activates abs lights. Fuel line needs replace due to rust problems and dealership stated that the pump and retaining cam are very rusted and has a spot on the pump that is wet but not soaking wet(fail dealership looking for lawsuit for fire hazard). Fuel lines are rusted so whole truck needs repair. I spent $5400 on used truck and putting more money into it with repairs due to rust, parts and labor which is stupid as some parts do not take long if dealership have tools. I don't know incident as there no accident or anything.

NHTSA complaint #11423670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Hemet, CA

SUSPENSION

I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES AND STEERING COMPONENTS ARE VERY UNSAFE, MY STEERING WHEEL HAS TO MUCH PLAY, SOMETHING INSIDE THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES DON?T OPERATE CORRECTLY, THE TRUCK SHAKES AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DUE TO THE SHAKING AND VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. BUT TO SUM IT ALL UP TODAY ON 06-02-2020, I REALIZED THE TRUCK IS ONLY GETTING WORSE AND GETTING HARDER TO STEER AND THE BRAKES CAUSE THE STEERING TO MAKE IT EVEN HARDER TO DRIVE WITH ALL THE SHAKING AND PULLING TO THE SIDE AND ALSO I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE REALLY HARD AT TIMES AND THEN REALLY LIGHT AT TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #11327048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 177,000 miles Spring, TX

SUSPENSION

COST $600 TO REPLACE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL!!! BRAKES NEVER WORKED PROPERLY ALWAYS HAVE TO PUSH TO THE FLOOR TO STOP EVEN ON NEW BRAKES SHOCKS ALWAYS NEEDING REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10593349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Fair Play, SC

SUSPENSION

THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A KNOCKING NOISE, THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER REPLACED A SHAFT THAT CONNECTED TO THE STEERING SECTOR. THE FIX CORRECTED IT FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PART NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND GREASED EVERY 15000 MILES. I SAID ,WHY DOES IT NOT HAVE GREASE FITTINGS? OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I SENT GM AN E-MAIL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, NEVER GOT AN ANSWER. I DO GET LETTERS FROM GM WANTING ME TRADE FOR A NEW ONE. WHY PAY $40 TO $50 THOUSAND FOR A VEHICLE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WONT STAND BEHIND? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10593531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,940 miles Succasunna, NJ

SUSPENSION

I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON NJ STATE ROUTE 10 WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDDLE WENT TO ABOUT ONE TO TWO INCHES OFF THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK COULD NOT STOP, AND WENT THOUGH THE LIGHT AS IS TURNED RED. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND STOP. I FOUND FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE TRUCK AND COULD SEE IT WAS FROM A FAILED BRAKE LINE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND A MECHANIC. I FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE LINE WERE ALL RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, E BRAKE CABLE AND SHOCKS WHERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10588731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,983 miles Marion, IN

SUSPENSION

I REALIZE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS WELL OUT OF THE 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. BUT LATELY WITH HOW RAPIDLY THIS TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART ON ME ITS JUST REALLY BEEN FRUSTRATING. I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE SHOP LESS THAN TWO WEEKS FOR FRONT WHEEL BEARING/ ABS SENSOR REPAIR WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER COMPLETELY WENT OUT. MOST OF THE TIME SPEEDOMETER IS READING 0 MPH OCCASIONALLY IT WILL FLUTTER BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. READING ONLINE I SEE GM EXTENDED THEIR SPEEDOMETER WARRANTY TO 7 YRS/70K MILES. JUST VERY FRUSTRATING GENERAL MOTORS. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THIS WHAT THIS REPAIR WILL COST. IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE THE REPAIRS THAT WERE MADE TO THIS TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES HAVE BEEN... FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS,SWAY BAR(LINKS/BUSHINGS), INNER/ OUTER TIE RODS( BOTH SIDES), UPPER/ LOWER A ARMS (BOTH SIDES), NEW BRAKES/ROTORS( ALL THE WAY AROUND) , A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WITH MY NEW TIRES. THIS IS A 2 WHEEL DRIVE 1500 TRUCK NOT A 2500 4X4 THAT WAS USED TO PLOW SNOW WITH FOR YEARS. NO IDEA WHY THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK WAS SO ROTTED OUT TO THE POINT EVERYTHING NEEDED REPLACED. NOT FOR A TRUCK WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT. AND NOW THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10557936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Saraland, AL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FAILURE WITH THE WHEEL. HE JACKED THE VEHICLE UP AND NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS LOOSE, AND THE TIRE WOULD WOBBLE 3- 4 INCHES. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE WHEEL BEARINGS HUB ASSEMBLY. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT HEARD SOMETHING COMING FROM THE WHEEL AND REPLACED THE OTHER WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED 07/15/08.

NHTSA complaint #10232421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Pinebush, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BEARING FAILED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE. WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE AT 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED AND CAUSED THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH SIDES SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE BEARING FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #10220351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22 miles Radford, VA

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE, AND THE REAR AXLE SEAL WAS REPLACED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHICH WERE STILL OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE HAD SIXTEEN FAILURES, AND HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NINE OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22.

NHTSA complaint #10189120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Jonesville, MI

SUSPENSION

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 SERIES. OVER THE PAST MONTH THERE HAS BEEN A VIBRATION IN THE TRUCK. IT DOES NOT VIBRATE ALL THE TIME, BUT WHEN IT DOES IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE. IT USUALLY VIBRATES AT SPEEDS FROM 45 MPH TO 70 MPH. I HAD REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TIRES ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND THAT DID NOT HELP. I'VE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS. THEY REPLACED A REAR U-JOINT, WHICH DID NOT HELP. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT SO IT HAS TO BE MY NEW TIRES. (MY TRUCK HAD THIS VIBRATION BEFORE I PUT NEW TIRES ON IT AND I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THIS.) THE DEALERSHIP ALSO PUT OVER 400 POUNDS OF WEIGHT IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND THAT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ANYTHING. I'VE ALSO HAD OTHER NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK. BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, STEERING ARM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TRUCK IS VERY UNSAFE. WANTED TO FILE A CLAIM HOPEFULLY TO AVOID MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. HAVE CONTACTED LEGAL ADVISE REFERENCING THE LEMON LAW.

NHTSA complaint #10142507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pulaski, PA 1 injured

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE JERKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10106806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parma, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

BALL JOINT FAILURE. VEHICLE PART OF BULLETIN ISSUED BY GM TO ALL DEALERS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF FRONT BALL JOINTS.

NHTSA complaint #541539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

← Full 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 report