2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Routine

Owners filed 41 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years to avoid. Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
50,000 milesMedian miles at failure

35 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.

Most common 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems

21 of the 41 complaints (51%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes11
200
Service Brakes · brakes10
200
Fuel System, Diesel · fuel system4
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System · engine2
000
Engine2
000
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior1
000
Unknown or Other1
102
Suspension › Rear1
000
Structure › Body › Hood · body and frame1
001

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 2017104,000 milesTX

ALL FACTORY HARD BRAKE LINES HAVE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. I'VE REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE LINE BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND DISTRIBUTION BLOCK WITH STAINLESS STEEL 1.5 YRS AGO. I JUST REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE LINES ALONG THE AXEL. NOW THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAVE FAILED. IN ALL CASES THE LINES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND EMPTIED THE MASTER CYLINDER. I DO NOT LIVE IN THE SALT BELT.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 22, 2016248,000 milesKY

BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED & CORRODED BRAKE LINES RESULTING IN COSTLY REPAIRS. LUCKILY MY 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 WAS STATIONARY WHEN BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND I WAS NOT TOWING A TRAILER OR LOADED WITH CARGO AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE ABS PUMP ALSO FAILED PRIOR TO LINE FAILURE. MY FATHER IN LAW HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR 1500. WHY DOES GM NOT USE STAINLESS BRAKE LINES FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT SAFETY COMPONENT.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 14, 2016136,000 milesNC

2 PROBLEMS: 1- WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING THE BRAKES FAILED. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP I NOTICED A BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED AT THE FRAME RAIL UNDER DRIVER AREA. I WAS ABLE TO CRIMP BRAKE LINE WITH A PAIR OF VICE GRIP PLIERS AND MOVE TRUCK TO A SAFE LOCATION FOR REPAIR. I BELIEVE THE BRAKE LINES USED ON THESE TRUCKS TO BE OF SUCH INFERIOR QUALITY THAT SUDDEN FAILURE IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. 2- MY TRUCK HAS DUAL TANKS FOR DIESEL FUEL AND THEY HAVE WORKED SPORADICALLY FOR YEARS. I DID NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS MUCH AS AN INCONVENIENCE. HOWEVER WHILE MY TRUCK WAS IDLING ON A HOT SUMMER DAY I NOTICED DIESEL FUEL DRIPPING OUT OF THE FRONT TANK FILLER CAP. APPARENTLY THE PUMP THAT PUMPS THE FUEL FROM THE REAR TANK TO THE FRONT TANK WAS RECEIVING A SIGNAL TO PUMP EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT TANK WAS COMPLETELY FILLED. IT WAS CONTINUING TO PUMP AND LEAKING THE FUEL OUT THE FILLER NECK. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO ME. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS THE FLOAT THAT STICKS IN THE REAR TANK, THE SENDING UNITS THAT FAIL, A WIRING GROUND ISSUE OR SOME OTHER ELECTRONIC GLITCH. I DO KNOW ISSUES WITH DUAL TANK DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCKS ARE ABOUT AS COMMON AS THE TRUCK ITSELF IS. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I REALIZED MANY OTHER OWNERS OF MY VEHICLE MODEL HAVE HAD BOTH OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THEM.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 23, 201640,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS LOCATED UNDER THE DOORS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE STEEL INSIDE THE ROCKER PANEL WAS NOT PAINTED AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE RUSTING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILIABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed May 9, 2015103,000 milesIA

FRONT BRAKE LINES FAILED CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEED, BUT STILL WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A FIXED OBJECT

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 28, 2015100,000 milesOH

IN MARCH WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY 3500 DIESEL TRUCK THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAB LIT UP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FEELING SPONGY. I TOOK IT INTO CLASSIC AUTO GROUP MENTOR FOR SERVICE. A WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER ITEMS AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS GOOD TO GO. I PICKED IT UP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL SPONGY AND THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. ON APRIL 22, I RETURNED TO THE CLASSIC AUTO GROUP CHEVY SERVICE TO AGAIN HAVE THE BRAKES SERVICED. THEY BILLED ME $1400.00 TO CHANGE A VALVE, A MODULE AND SOME SCREWS. THE BRAKES NOW GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE BRAKING ABILITY. WITH NO EFFECTIVE BRAKING THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NOT LIT UP. CLASSIC AUTO GROUP CHEVY IN MENTOR SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT HOW THE BRAKES WORKED BEFORE THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY WORKED LIKE BRAKES ON ANY VEHICLE. CLASSIC AUTO GROUP MENTOR SAYS THAT I SHOULD JUST GET USED TO IT. I HAVE A COMPLAINT NUMBER FROM CHEVY # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 15, 201545,557 milesCT

TICKING UNDER HOOD. EXHAUST LEAK DUE TO BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR FIREWALL. TRIED TO LOOSEN OTHER BOLTS, 3 MORE BROKE. TRUCK HAS VERY LOW MILES, 8.1L MOTOR. INTERNET SHOWS THOUSANDS OF SAME ISSUES. BOLTS USED ARE VERY THIN FOR WHAT THEY DO. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 23, 2015GA

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE INJECTORS ISSUE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE INJECTORS WERE REPLACED IN 2010, AND NOW THEN NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 18, 201368,914 milesIN

I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK THIS EVENING AND WAS PULLING UP TO THE GARAGE AND THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE GARAGE. I WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOUND BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. BRAKE LINES WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED IN TWO IN SEVERAL PLACES AFTER HAVING A FRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC COME AND LOOK AT VEHICLE. HE FOUND A COUPLE LINES THAT HAD EXPLODED THRU RIGHT UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT ON TOP THE FRAME AND ANOTHER ONE ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. AFTER GOOGLING WHAT HAD HAPPENED THERE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH NHTSA ON THIS PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES. WHY ARE WE PAYING YOU PEOPLE TO TRY AND KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE. THIS IS A VERY ONGOING PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES AND NEEDS ADDRESSED PROMPTLY. *JB

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 29, 201374,000 milesOH

HAD JUST HOOKED UP OUR 38' - 12,000LB FIFTH WHEEL AND HEADED OUT FOR THE WEEKEND. CAME TO THE FIRST STOP SIGN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY GOT STOPPED WITH TRAILER BRAKES. AFTER STOPPING, PUMPING BRAKES CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO POUR OUT FROM JUST IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. UPON RESEARCH WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME, I FIND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET TRUCKS.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 201367,609 milesVA

BRAKES FAILED. CHINA MADE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND DISINTEGRATED. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. HAD TO GET REPAIR TO STEEL BRAKE LINES FROM ABS PUMP TO MASTER CYLINDER AND FRONT CALIPERS. ALSO MAKE UP AND REPLACE STEEL BRAKE LINE TO REAR AXLE AND TO REAR LEFT AND RIGHT REAR CALIPERS. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BLEED SCREWS IN ALL CALIPERS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 15, 201299,000 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING MY CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DUALLY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I HAD SO MAKE A SUDDEN EMERGENCY STOP. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VIRTUALLY NO STOPPING POWER FOR THE VEHICLE. I SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND WAS VERY LUCKY. THE TRUCK WENT DIRECTLY TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHICH HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL NEED TO BE CHANGED. I CALLED THE CHEVY SUPPORT NUMBER TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND ASK ABOUT A RECALL. THE REP TOOK THE LAST EIGHT OF MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. I TOW HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH THIS TRUCK FOR WORK, SO IT IS AN ALARMING SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME FOR THE BRAKES TO SUDDENLY NOT WORK WITHOUT WARNING. I AM LUCKY THAT NOBODY GOT KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 201220,801 milesOH

COUNTY ROAD (THANK GOODNESS). DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN A LADY TURNED OFF A SIDE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THE BRAKE PEDAL HELD MOMENTARILY BUT THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED RIGHT INTO THE DITCH AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP FROM STRIKING HER CAR IN THE REAR. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME (APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES), I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. COULD NOT AFFORD TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP (APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES AWAY IN HEAVY SUBURBAN TRAFFIC) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. SAVED UP AND TOOK THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC (09/2012). MECHANIC ASK IF THE TRUCK HAD EVER BEEN UNDER WATER. REASON FOR QUESTION WAS THE BRAKE LINES, FRONT CALIPERS, AND TOP FORWARD FRAME WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A BREAK FAILURE. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 21,000 MILES, NEVER BEEN SUBMERGED IN WATER, OCCASIONALLY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER, WASHED FREQUENTLY (ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER) AND WAXED, AND HAS ZERO BODY OR BED RUST. AFTER REPAIR, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. I READ SOMEWHERE ON THIS SITE A BULLETIN REGARDING PREMATURE ABS SENSOR FAILURE AND DEALERS FIXING THE SENSORS BUT I CAN NOT FIND THE ABS BULLETIN NOW. *TR

Unknown or OtherCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 26, 2012SC

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS IN REGARDS TO NEGLIGENT DRIVER COLLISION *TGW THE ATTORNEY STATED THE DRIVER OF A TRACTOR TRAILER, DROVE OFF THE EMERGENCY LANE INTO HIS CLIENTS LANE OF TRAVEL RESULTING IN A VERY SEVERE COLLISION, BECAUSE HIS CLIENT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID RUNNING INTO THE REAR OF HIS TRACTOR TRAILER. THE ATTORNEY BELIEVED THE DRIVER WAS TALKING ON HIS CELL PHONE AND WAS IMPROPERLY LOCATED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AND DID NOT SIGNAL THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER BACK INTO THE LANE OF TRAVEL. AS A DIRECT AND PROXIMATE RESULT, HIS CLIENTS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES. *JB

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 201234,673 milesCA

IN JANUARY 2004, I BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY 3500 DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK. SINCE MARCH 2005, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INJECTORS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. NOW AT 202,000 THE INJECTORS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. CHEVY WILL NOT HELP OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT EVERYONE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THIS DEPARTMENT SO THAT THIS CAN BE INVESTIGATED. IN NOVEMBER 2011, SOMEONE WAS TOLD THERE WERE NOT COMPLAINTS. BEING A CHEVY OWNER WITH THESE INJECTOR PROBLEMS, I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN. HOPEFULLY, THIS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION AND HELP ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM GET A RESPONSE FROM CHEVY TO DO SOMETHING. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT CHEAP AND JUST BECAUSE WE USE OUR TRUCKS AND PUT MILES ON THEM, AND THEY HAVE REPEATED FAILURES, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN. THIS PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK IS IN THE DESIGN. HOW MANY PEOPLE REPLACE INJECTORS EVERY 30-40K MILES? THIS IS WHAT I HAVE HAD TO DO OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 23, 201227,282 milesVA

BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING. HEAVY RUST ON SEVERAL BRAKE LINES, FRAME, AND CROSS MEMBERS. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Feb 22, 2012CA

CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DURAMAX DIESEL, HAS A CRACKED FUEL FILTER HOUSING, CONTACTED CHEVY/GM CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND EVEN GAVE THEM A TSB THAT I FOUND ON WEBSITE AND INFORMED THEM OF MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING AT THEIR, WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED OUT IT STATES THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS FUEL CAN LEAK INTO HOUSING AND CATCH FIRE. I TOLD THE CUSTOMER CARE AGENT OF MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT GM/CHEVY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT! I HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS AND GM REFUSES TO ASSIST ME WITH MOST OF MY CONCERNS. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Oct 19, 201154,000 milesNJ

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CASING BRAKE FAILURE AND A CRASH. NO WARNING LIGHT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 12, 201179,400 milesMD

SLOWING DOWN TO TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS NOT YET COMMITTED TO THE TURN LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO PASS THE ENTRANCE AND STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD .THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE THE FIRST ONE OCCURRED LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE ON 5/23/11 ODI #10402905 .THE SERVICE TECH SAYS THE LINE DON'T LOOK THAT BAD ,AND HE COULD NOT BUY REPLACEMENT LINES FROM CHEVROLET. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TWICE! *KB

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Jul 18, 2011MO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE MUFFLER. THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THREE OF THE EIGHT INJECTORS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THREE INJECTORS FAILED. UPDATED 07/28/11

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 16, 201139,620 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,620.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 26, 201178,300 milesMD

I WAS UNLOADING MULCH FROM THE BED OF TRUCK ONTO THE FLOWER BEDS IN MY YARD. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE TRUCK TO MOVE TO A NEW SPOT EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL I WENT TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WAS ONLY AT AN IDLE BUT THE BRAKE WOULDN'T EVEN SLOW IT DOWN TO A WALKING SPEED. THE PARKING BRAKE WORKED FINE AND THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP. I PUT THE REST OF THE MULCHING JOB ON HOLD UNTIL THE NEXT DAY UNTIL I COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT. THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND ADDED ALMOST A QUART. WHEN I WENT TO MOVE THE TRUCK THE BRAKE STILL WENT TO THE FLOOR BUT I WAS READY FOR THAT AND GOT THE TRUCK OFF OF THE GRASS AND BACK OUT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THAT WAS WHEN I SAW JUST HOW BAD IT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND THE TRUCK IS STILL HERE AT MY HOUSE. I GUESS I WILL HAVE IT TOWED SOMEWHERE TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS DOWN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUCK TO THE REAR WHEELS REPLACED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 19, 201140,000 milesIL

BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES AND ENGINE COOLANT LINES ALL FAILING ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 HD AS WELL AS ON 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE CAUSED NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIME TO REPAIR AND REPLAFE, AND TODAY THERE WAS A BRAKE FAILUER ON THE 2004 HD GMC THAT ALMOST RESULTED IN DEADLY ACCIDENT. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED AND WE HAVE ISSUES WITH BOTH VEHICLES ON THE SAME LINES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCTED WITH INADEQUATE PARTS FOR ALL LINES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD NOT BE 1,000 PLUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS REGARDING THE RUSTING OF THESE COMPONENTS, OF WHICH HAVE CUASED SEVERAL MAJOR ANMD LIFE SAFETY ISSUES. THE BRAKE LINES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ANY VEHICLE AND TO HAVE THEM RUST THRU TO THE DEGREE OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPENENTS THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. BETWEEN OUR 2004 CHEVY AND 2003 GMC TRUCKS WE HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE TRANMISSION COLLANT LINES, OIL ENGINE LINES AND READY TO CHANGE BRAKE LINES IN 1 TRUCK WITH THE OTHER TRUCK HAVING TO ALSO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE COMPENENTS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jun 25, 201029,000 milesPA

BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS 2004 6.0 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 29000 MILES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 6, 200918,000 milesUT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. HE HAD TO INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING. WHILE DRIVING HE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE HYDRO-BOOSTER PUMP LEAKED BRAKE AND STEERING FLUID. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 05V043000 (SERVICE BRAKES). A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1,000.00 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 30, 200949,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC BOOSTER WITH GM PARTS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED, AS WELL AS BOTH HYDRAULIC LINES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. GM RECOMMENDED THAT THE POWER STEERING BOX BE REPLACED, IN WHICH THE CONTACT COMPLIED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER (REFERENCE NUMBER 71-742385439). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 9/23/09 *CN THE HOSES, PUMP AND HYDRO BOOST WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/28/09. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 10, 200937,000 milesCT

2004 CHEVY SILVERADO WITH 37K. ROTORS ARE SHOT ALL AROUND. CHIPPING PEELING SURFACE. UNSAFE CONDITION EXISTS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 12, 200971,000 milesMI

AFTER DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL MY SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING 80MPH PLUS AS MY SPEED. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED 35 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT UP TO 100MPG WHEN I STAYED WITH EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC, KEEPS ON GOING UP,EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE DASH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.(AS TOLD BY GM REPAIR PERSON) I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Feb 14, 200948,000 milesCT

MANIFOLD BOLTS RUSTING OUT. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Oct 13, 200897,745 milesMO

I HAVE A DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE. I EXPERIENCED THE INJECTORS FAILED CAUSING MY FUEL TO MIX WITH THE OIL IN MY CRANKCASE WHICH CAUSED MY MOTOR TO SEIZE. GM HAS STATED THAT THE INJECTORS DID FAIL BUT WILL NOT FIX THE OTHER DAMAGE THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE INJECTOR FAILURE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM LAST YEAR LETTING ALL DURAMAX OWNERS KNOW OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE LETTER SAID 'DON'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY FAIL". WELL THEY FAILED AND GM WILL NOT FIX MY ENGINE. THEY WANT TO REPLACE IT TO A TUNE OF $13,000 TO ME!!!!!! PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER DURAMAX OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Sep 12, 200870,800 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVEROLET SILVERADO 3500. ON APRIL 20, 2008,WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH UP HILL, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED ON ITS OWN. THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD AND HE NOTICED OIL AND DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER. THE MECHANIC TESTED THE CYLINDER BY BLOWING AIR INTO IT AND THE AIR TRAVELED TO THE CRANK CASE. AFTER THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THIS TEST, HE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PISTON WAS CRACKED AND A HOLE WAS PRESENT. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE CYLINDER TO FILL UP WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND BLOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,800.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 12, 200837,525 milesCA

ON 3 OCCASIONS THE LOWER LEFT INTER-COOLER HOSE HAS COME DISCONNECTED CAUSING A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER TO THE DIESEL ENGINE. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Sep 9, 200858,583 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKED AND CONTAMINATED THE REAR BRAKES, ROTORS, AND PADS. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,583. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 27, 2008101,000 milesVA

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SPEEDOMETER READS THAT I AM DOING 120 MPH. KEEP IN MIND I HAVEN'T EVEN RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL YET. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE AMPERAGE GAGE. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET EXTENDING THE WARRANTY, BUT OF COURSE EVEN WITH THE EXTENSION, IT IS STILL OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE SPEEDOMETER IS READING 120 MPH WHILE SITTING STILL, HOW DO I KNOW THAT WHEN IT SAYS I AM DOING 55 MPH THAT I'M NOT ACTUALLY DOING 120 MPH. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT GM MANUFACTURED. LOOKING AT THE INTERNET, THIS AFFECTS PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THE LARGE GM TRUCKS. I WHEN TO CHECK THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART AND THEY WANTED $450 JUST FOR A REFURBISHED CLUSTER. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND THE CORPORATION IS GIVING OUT DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH OUT REGARD TO THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE DRIVING THE VEHICLES OR ANYONE AROUND THEM. AN ODD THING THAT I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT IF I LET THE FUEL TO DEPLETE COMPLETELY, THEN FILL IT UP, IT WILL RESET THE SPEEDOMETER THE SECOND FILL UP. I HAVE TESTED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT SEEMS TO RESET IT AT LEAST BY THE SECOND TIME. IF I DO NOT DEPLETE THE FUEL TAKE IT NEVER GETS BELOW 40 AN THE SPEEDOMETER. THIS UN-SCIENTIFIC TEST HAS NOT AFFECTED THE AMP METER BEING BAD THOUGH. THIS IS CONTINUALLY HAPPENING. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Feb 1, 200850,000 milesOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL GAUGES DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS. THE DEALER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT, BECAUSE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE EXCEEDED 70,000 MILES, HE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Structure › Body › Hood1 injured
Filed Jan 28, 200836,000 milesWY

WAS PLUGGING IN BLOCK HEATER WHEN HOOD CAME DOWN ON ME TWICE. *TR

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Jan 28, 2008PA

THE ELECTRIC SIDE MIRRORS ON THIS TRUCK ARE WAY TOO SMALL. SPECIFICALLY, THEY ARE TOO SHORT. UPON INQUIRING AT THE GM DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY CANNOT BE CHANGED DUE TO THE ONBOARD COMPUTER WILL NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING BUT THE ORIGINAL. THEY CANNOT EVEN BE CHANGED TO A MANUAL MIRROR. UPON INQUIRING AT A LOCAL TRUCK AFTERMARKET STORE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE HEARD THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT UNFORTUNATELY OFFER NO SOLUTION AFTERMARKET OR OTHERWISE. THESE MIRRORS ARE WOEFULLY TOO SMALL, THEREFORE CANNOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND IN FACT ARE NEARLY USELESS. I HAVE INFORMED GM VIA EMAIL AND BY RESPONDING TO THEIR SURVEYS. THEY OF COURSE, IGNORE ME. THANKS, DAVE *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Jan 18, 200815,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHEN THERE IS HALF OF A TANK OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, IT AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED, WHICH CAUSED A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,750.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 13, 2007KY

2004 CHEVY 3500. SPEEDOMETER READS 75 MPH SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 26, 200614,300 milesNH

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL GAVE NO RESISTANCE WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE DID STOP. THIS HAPPENED AT ALL SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT GM TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS STARTED HAPPENING THE WEEK OF 12/18/06. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT OPERATED THIS WAY FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. *NM

Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector
Filed Nov 25, 200525,000 milesAL

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT REPLACED WITH ONLY 25, 000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 54, 000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

All 41 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20262300Routine
202512120Routine
202451302Fatalities reported
202316100Routine
202228310Routine
202141510Routine
202042810Routine
201922700Routine
201819600Routine
201713600Routine
201651700Routine
201552730Routine
201410310Routine
201326410Routine
201223401Fatalities reported
201129500Routine
20102501Fatalities reported
200910610Routine
200831410Routine
200739520Routine
200652031Fatalities reported
200546100Routine
2004 — this page41100Routine
200342110Routine
200250200Routine
200172210Routine
200080210Routine
199947100Routine
199867120Routine
199761110Routine
19961000Routine
19941000Routine

Compare every Silverado 3500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.