Most common 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD complaints by model year
Best Silverado 1500 HD years: 2001, 2002. Years to avoid: 2003, 2005. Compare all years →
What 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD owners say
Brakes
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. …
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.
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. The intermediate steering shaft was lubed. Updated 02/13/07.
Tl 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.
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. …
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. The intermediate steering shaft was lubed. Updated 02/13/07.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Silverado 1500 HD rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Silverado 1500 HD at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD?
The brakes — 8 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Next are the steering (5) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003 and 2005. See the full Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.