Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: the vehicle is a 2004 GM Chevrolet k1500 z71 extend cab 4x4. Anti lock brakes were defective. When consumer applied pressure to the ABS they did not hold. On 2-11-05 he took vehicle to the dealer to be repaired, and they did nothing to fix the issue. While driving on 6-23/24-05 the ABS did not hold , causing consumer's vehicle to lightly bump another vehicle. When consumer contacted the manufacturer they told him to take it to city Chevrolet. He took it to them on 7-5-05 ,and he still has not gotten it back yet. Consumer found that there was a recall in November . 2004 in Canada concerning corrosion in the ABS brakes. The vehicle he owned was manufactured by general motors in Canada ltd.. There is a special order part that was not immediately available in dealer inventory for the inoperative brakes. Vehicle downshifts at highway speeds to 2nd gear. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet 1500. While driving 30 MPH, the speedometer failed to display the correct speed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dash cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 09/11/15
My dash Cluster quit working,the only part that works I can read my miles but I don't have the PRND321.
Speedometer drive motor failure, 2004 Chevrolet 1500 pu. When drive motor fails the speedometer will freeze at a random speed. Since the speedometer is stuck, you must calculate your speed from a start position of where it was stuck. Example: if the speedometer is stuck at 70 MPH, and your desired speed is 45 MPH. Your speedometer will read 115 MPH. If your desired speed is 70 MPH, your speedometer will peg out at 110 MPH. If you are not aware that the speedometer is stuck when reducing your speed, you could panic, and attempt to reduce speed too rapidly potentially causing a rear end accident. When driving through multiple speed zones you have to constantly calculate your speed, assuming that the speedometer is tracking accurately. In order to fix the problem, the entire instrument cluster must be replaced. My cost was $386.00. …
Vehicle speeds up, surges, then starts to buck and you get transmission lash. It happens at road and highway speeds of 45 or 55 MPH, and can/does happen in od or in 3rd gear. (automatic transmission). I have had a third party "scan" the system, and I get "no" codes. Check engine light does "not" come on. I am able to replicate the issue at will. The vehicle is a 2004 k1500 with 46,500 miles. Its primary use since I purchased this vehicle new is to tow a 19 foot mastercraft from April to November. Maintenance is performed by the manufactures' recommended guidelines. Orginal tires, air and oil filters have been changed as needed. No aftermarket devices installed. I have had a couple of verbal encounters with Chevy dealer service department. They seem to be clueless. But are willing to troubleshoot at my expense, plus costs of all parts and service hours. …
The ABS kicks in at low speeds to where it makes a grinding noise and have a grinding feel at the door pedal even after having the brakes and rotors replaced. The dash cluster gauges stop working one by one,only the heat gauge work off and on. The engine begins to over heat when sitting in idle 10 minutes, sometimes 5 minutes depending on how hot it is,and the air conditioning starts to blow hot air but it begins to cool off once you start back driving. I have had the water pump checked,some had the thermostat replaced and it still does it only in the summer
Tl 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.
Tl* - the contact stated that the speedometer stopped working on her 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The vehicle would not register more than 10 or 20 MPH when the contact was going much faster. The speedometer has now stopped in the center. The dealer has diagnosed the failure as a failed module. The vehicle had 45,000 miles at the time of the failure. The contact is concerned that she has two 2004 Chevrolet trucks and both of the speedometer modules have failed.
We had received a letter for Chevrolet about a recall the mileage on it was up to 150 thousand but the truck then was just about 6000 nothing was wrong 5/18/2013 the dash gauges went out the speedometer and tachometer failed first at about 79000 but now all the dash gauges did not work. We love our 200 Silverado truck but have know way to fix it. Lost the letter please send us one because the dealer does not want to fix it for us. Help!!!!
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Speedometer malfunctioned. It did not go below 35 MPH and read incorrectly at speeds. Dealer stated it will cost $500 to repair. Chevrolet forum boards on the internet indicated many failures from 2003 to present for all Chevrolet and GMC trucks. Lack of a properly functioning speedometer was an obvious safety hazard and should be recalled and repaired at the manufacturer' s expense.
Acceleration complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 3% of the model year's 797 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.