2004 Chevrolet Classic

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 40 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
90,000 milesMedian miles at failure

31 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System20
001
Engine3
000
Exterior Lighting2
000
Equipment2
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch2
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System1
100
Vehicle Speed Control1
110
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing1
000
Service Brakes, Electric1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage04V301000
Filed Jun 30, 20042,857 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK THAT DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. A WELD ON THESE FUEL TANKS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 18, 2017MD

MY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND THE IN DASH GAUGES CHECKED, IT WILL NOT REGISTER PAST 1/4 TANK. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES THE GAUGE WILL SUDDENLY DROP, THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON, IT WILL AGAIN READ 1/4 TANK EVEN WHEN FULL. THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURS.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 16, 201685,000 milesMA

ANTI THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS ON COMING ON AND WILL NOT LET YOUR CAR START !!! THEY EVEN REPLACED THE KEY HOLES WITH FILLERS IN IT. YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND WAIT 15 TO 20 MIN. BEFORE IT WILL START OR SOMETIME IT WILL NOT WORK!!!! HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT AND THAT STILL DOES NOT FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH IT IS A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE NOW THE CAR WILL NOT START I HAVE CALLED GM BEFORE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL. WELL IF YOU LOOK AT THIS WEB SITE TO SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS IN THESE CARS FOR THE IGNITION PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT !!!!! I GUESS THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GETS KILLED AGAIN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT !!! THEY ALREADY HAD A BIG LAW SUITE I GUESS THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANOTHER ONE IF THIS KEEPS ON HAPPENING WHEN PEOPLE DRIVE AND IT JUST CONKS OUT ON US AND THERE IS A BUNCH OF ACCIDENTS !!!! GM YOU REALLY NEED TO LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS !!!!! THEN YOU GUYS WANT US TO BUY MORE CARS WELL IF WE CAN NOT TRUST YOU TO FIX SOMETHING WHEN THERE IS MORE THEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR WHY WOULD WE GO BACK TO TRUST YOU AGAIN !!!! THIS IS VERY UNSAFE GM ESPECIALLY IF YOU WILL NOT FIX IT !!! ALSO MY CAR HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT !!! THIS HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2015114,000 milesWI

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL THE LINES(4) RUN VERY CLOSE TOGETHER UNDERNEETH THE AIR FILTER BOX. BY RUNNING THE LINES THIS CLOSE TOGETHER IT ALLOWS MOISTURES TO BE HELD IN THE TINY GAPS BETWEEN THE LINES, THERBY CUASING ACCELERATED RUSTING AND CORROSION. BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT IN JUST OVER 10 YEARS SEEMS PREMATURE GIVEN HOW MANY OF THE VEHICLES 10 YEARS OLD ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. MAYBE I'M WRONG? LUCKILY I WAS JUST LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY TO GO TO THE CAR WASH. THE PICTURE IS TAKEN FROM UNDER THE CAR LOOKING UP FROM THE WHEEL WELL, THERE IS ALSO LITTLE PROTECTION FROM TIRE SPRAY

Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2015IN

I HAD TAKEN MY SON TO THE DR. AND THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULDN'T FIRE UP. AFTER SITTING IN THE BLAZING SUN WITH MY SICK CHILD FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, A FRIEND CAME TO ASSIST US. THE FUEL PUMP WAS KICKING ON, WE CLEANED THE INTAKE AND CHANGED THE AIR FILTER WITH NO LUCK. WITH STARTER FLUID THE ENGINE WOULD FIRE UP BUT DIED AS SOON AS THE FLUID BURNT OFF. BEFORE HAVING IT TOWED HOME WE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM GLITCH. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER LEAVING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES,WITHOUT TRYING TO START THE CAR, WE TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN TRIED TO START THE CAR. IT FIRED RIGHT UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES SINCE THEN. ONE TIME I HAD TO GO THROUGH THOSE STEPS 3 TIMES TO GET THE CAR TO START. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 CHILDREN. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF WE GET STRANDED IN THE EXTREME HEAT OR COLD OR CANNOT UTILIZE THE CAR IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS ISSUE AMENDED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 12, 2015NV

THIS VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH ITS STARTER. I'M NOT SURE OF THE FIRST DATE IT WAS NOTICED. INITIALLY THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 1/2 HR OR MORE FOR THE KEY TO COME OUT, THEN LONGER, THEN DAYS IN WHICH THE BATTERY WOULD HAVE TO BE RECHARGED. IT ALSO ON OCCASION WOULD ACTIVATE THE 'KILL-SWITCH' ON THE ALARM. WE WERE TOLD BY CHEVY THAT THE CAR WAS NOT 'RECOGNIZING' THE IGNITION KEY. FINALLY AFTER THE MONEY WAS AVAILABLE, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CHEVY FOR REPAIR. INITIALLY IT WAS FINE...THE KEY DIDN'T GET STUCK, THEN ONLY A FEW TIMES ...NONE IN WHICH IT DIDN'T COME OUT....HOWEVER, THE CAR IN 2013? BEGAN TO DIE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. MY SON AND FINANCE' BOUGH THIS TO MY ATTENTION AND FOR SAFETY I NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR AS THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN TRAFFIC, FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARK THE CAR. IT WOULD RESTART WITHOUT A PROBLEM.....BUT NOT KNOWING WHY OR WHEN IT WILL STOP WAS/IS TO MUCH OF A RISK SO WE TURNED IN THE REGISTRATION. WE TOLD CHEVY, WROTE ...BUT NO ONE HAS EVERY RESPONDED. I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR ITS IGNITION PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT WHO ELSE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. DUE TO ITS CONDITION, I CAN'T SELL IT OR DRIVE IT. YOUR HELP IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 24, 2014MO

2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, REPLACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND SWITCH*CW

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 2014106,000 milesIL

THE PRESCRIBED/PROPOSED FIX BY GM OVER THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES IS THE MOST LAME EXCUSE FOR A FIX I HAVE EVER HEARD OF. JUST WANT TO GO ON THE RECORD SAYING THIS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 27, 2014144,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY, ON OR OFF MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 25, 2014CA

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WOULD REMAIN STUCK IN THE OFF, ACCESSORY, AND/OR ON MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. DJR

Electrical System1 injured
Filed Oct 13, 2014160,000 milesNE

IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED/FALLS OUT WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. WE HAVE HAD SIX INCIDENTS WHERE WE PARKED CAR AND REMOVED KEY AND THEN CAR STARTED ROLLING. IN TWO INCIDENTS AN OPEN DOOR OF THE ROLLING CAR CAUGHT PERSON KNOCKING THEM DOWN, ONE INCIDENT JUST MISSED ROLLING OVER FOOT. IN EACH CASE FOUND THAT CAR WAS NOT IN PARK WITH KEY REMOVED. HAVE ALSO HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE KEY WAS REMOVED BUT IGNITION REMAINED ON DRAINING THE CARS BATTERY EACH TIME. VERY HARD TO GET KEY LOCK INTO "OFF" POSITION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 22, 2014TN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A BRIEF MOMENT FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO DISABLE IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE SINCE THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Sep 19, 201494,650 milesTN

WE STOP AND WAITING FOR RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURN TO GREEN, PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE CAR NOT HAVE ANY REACTION. I TURN OFF THE CAR, AND START AGAIN THEN THE CAR CAN MOVE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 28, 2014CA

2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCHES PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, AND THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 23, 2014118,500 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS OPERABLE DURING THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION AND CYLINDER SWITCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,500.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 17, 2014VA

FOR TWO YEARS NOW MY DOORS WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN I TURN THE CAR OF AND GET OUT. ALSO THE HORN WILL BLOW FOR NO REASON LIKE I HAVE LOCKED THE DOORS. I CAN'T LEAVE MY KEYS IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT HAS LOCKED WITH KEYS IN THE IGNITION. RECENTLY WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO BE ABLE TO TURN IT TO START. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE KEY BUT I HAVE HAD NEW ONES MADE. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jan 1, 2014130,000 milesWI

CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST STALLED OUT... REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER DRAINING IT FROM TRYING TO RESTART IT. AFTER READING ABOUT THE ANTI-THEFT PROBLEMS THESE MODELS HAVE HAD AND HOW TO RESET IT, IT STARTED BUT THEN IT DOES IT STILL OCCASIONALLY AND I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE WHICH CAN BE AN INCONVENIENCE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 12, 2012130,000 milesMN

MY 2004 CHEVY CLASSIC WILL NOT START. SUSPECTING THE THEFT SYSTEM. I'VE DEALT WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BEFORE, BUT THIS TIME IT HAS BEEN ON SOLID OR NOT ON AT ALL. I'VE TRIED THE 10 MINUTE RESTART TWICE WITH NO LUCK. I TRIED A VARIATION OF THE 10 MINUTE RESET THAT HAD ME DO IT 3 TIMES BACK TO BACK WITHOUT STARTING IN BETWEEN AND NO LUCK. I TRIED WAITING 1 MINUTE AND 3 MINUTES AFTER PERFORMING THE 10 MINUTE RESET BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START IT. I REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH NO LUCK. DIAG WAS DONE WITH NO ANSWERS. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE, THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL, AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON'T DO A RECALL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 6, 201263,385 milesMN

THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT WILL COME ON RANDOMLY AND MY CAR WILL NOT START. THE ONLY CURE IS TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON THE DASH GOES OUT. THEN TURN THE KEY TO OFF AND THE WILL THEN START. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2012143,000 milesSD

THE VEHICLES ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TURNED THE FUEL OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES AND RESULTED IN MULTIPLE TOWING AND MECHANICS BILLS. HAS ALSO ENDANGERED OUR SAFETY BY LEAVING US STRANDED ALONG THE ROAD. HAD REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTERS AND LINES, ETC. BEFORE I DETERMINED PROBLEM TO BE SECURITY SYSTEM NOT ALLOWING CAR TO START. THIS HAS BEEN EXPENSIVE AND FRUSTRATING AND ENDANGERED MY FAMILY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2011100,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS CURRENTLY INSPECTING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

20 of 40 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200549110Routine
2004 — this page40115Fatalities reported

Compare every Classic year →

Reading this record

5 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 30, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.