Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
Collided with a bear at 55mph with significant front end damage. Air bags were commanded to deploy and never did. I have contacted GM about the problem and have been told to wait for a claim advisor as no recalls are active on my vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard prior to the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake line failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred numerous times. While driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but another vehicle collided into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder that required medical attention. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 11/08/16
A truck went tho a red light as I was under the light heading east and the other vehicle was at stop light and for unknown reason it took off hitting the front of my right fender and putting me into a spin. At first I didn't realize what happened. The my van stopped. The police asked if I was OK. I said no.I got hit in the face and right arm by the 2 air bags in front. I was the only person in the van. The air bags were broke open. Never had accident before were air bag went off. Did not know how they were supposed to look. Till I seen on the tv recalls. And they are not supposed to break open.the jell behind my right eye split. I have to see a dr. Every 6 months now to check pressure in eye for glaucoma now.
I have had two major hits to the front of my truck since I have owned it brand new.first was I beam thru the front bumper on interstate driving 70 MPH,no air bag deployment.second head on with large deer,at about 45 MPH to grill, bumper ,head lights, hood, radiator and frame which all had to be replaced,no airbag deployment.I now have well over 200,000 miles and 10,000 miles back my air bag light came on,can't figure out why now. Does it mean no airbag?question being were they ever operable?both accidents were straight direction and on 4 lane highway.if additional info is needed I can provide.I really like my truck but am disappointed that I have not received recall on airbags.
Abs system is failing light comes on then brakes don't catch, airbags message keeps coming on . Pulling in to store when it done it end up hitting the metal pipe in from of store to stop
My husband had a horrific one vehicle accident. He was traveling at a high rate of speed, driving on an unfamiliar county highway when he approached a curve in the road, his vehicle left the road, rolled, became air born, hit a utility pole while air born hard enough to snap it in half and move the part of the pole that's in the ground about two feet, the vehicle rolled and landed up side down. Not one single air bag deployed. My husband wasn't wearing his seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle. I'm not excusing his actions, but the other safety feature didn't perform as well. I've contacted general motors and they in return turned it over to esis they're address is esis/GM central claims unit. P.o box 300 mailcode 482-c19-b61 detroit, mi. 48265-3000. Phone number [phone] fax [phone]. I sent esis multiple pictures of the totaled vehicle showing that not one air bag deployed. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 55 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact struck a deer crossing the road. The contact was not injured and the air bags failed to deploy. The air bag warning indicator was not illuminated on the instrument panel. The police was called to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle sustained moderate damages and was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The front end of the vehicle was replaced. Recently, on February 21, 2009, the failure recurred without warning. The driver sustained minor injuries. The police and ambulance were called to the scene and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 69,000.
GM has recalled 2004 Silverado with leather seats because it causes air bag to deploy when not in an accident or not to deploy when in an accident. The only remedy is to buy back the vehicle at full cost per recall id# 7297, but GM has refused to buy back my vehicle even though they are the ones that submitted the recall. The dealer informed the consumer everything was working as designed. Updated 05/26/11 the consumer stated only leased vehicles were recalled. Updated 06/01/11. The consumer stated he was involved in an accident and the air bags failed to deploy. Updated 05/16/12 the consumer stated on one occasion, the passenger air bag was coming on and going off during normal driving conditions while his daughter was sitting in the seat. Updated 07/03/12. Updated 04/29/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving, the ABS, service engine, and air bag warning lights flashed and then remained illuminated. Prior to the failure, the dealer reset the unknown codes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the anti-lock brake system was disconnected and that there was an internal disconnection for the air bags to function properly. The mechanic advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 06V417000 (air bags), 06V289000 (engine and engine cooling), 05V043000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 04V045000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,502.
Driver air bag sensor failure after impact on accident. I was driving 2004 Chevy Silverado truck, other driver came almost head on in my lane tried avoiding got hit on passenger side rear quarter panel,caused vehicle to spin twice due to drive shaft broke upon 1st impact,lost control of car after spinning I was on the opposite side which crashed front end to driver side of another car. Driver that hit me on 1st impact was charged with dwi and no insurance. Funny thing I was asked by police if front air bag was deployed,and told him no. But was not noted on his report. Bottom line I have neck injury which I'm treating that don't know the final outcome yet.
Airbag complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 4% of the model year's 797 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.