Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: in January 2005 the consumer's husband was driving at 30 MPH when the brakes and steering locked up. In January 2005 there was a light snow . The consumer took the vehicle to the mechanic and found out that the brakes were corroded. The vehicle had a little under 20,000 miles on it. On August 31, 2005 the same thing happened and it was wet outside. The air bags did not deploy. There was no for warning.
When I bought my 04 Silverado truck used in February of this year I noticed a klunking in the steering. After getting it checked out I found out that it was the upper intermediate steering shaft. My father-in-law bought an 02 and had the same problem. Well after doing some research I found out that this is a huge problem with the 01-05 silverados. I have spoken to other owners about this and a couple have said that GM said that its not a safety issue so they wouldn't fix it. They make a replacement for this shaft but it is $92 and then they have to put it in. I think that if it is a problem that is this big that they should fix it for free. I just want to make it known that we the GM owners are getting shafted you could say and they don't care. I wanted to see what I could do to try to get them to help us out.
1) while backing up a travel trailer into my driveway, the steering wheel became impossible to turn and in addition there was no power brake function in the truck. 2) without steering or braking power the truck was impossible to drive. Had this event occurred just minutes earlier when we were traveling a narrow and winding mountain road, a major crash with lives lost could have easily occurred. 3) we have an appointment to have the truck towed to a Chevy dealer on September 26. I understand that a recall involving this problem was to be initiated last February, but we have had no notification even though we are the original owners of the truck and live at the same address as when the truck was purchased new.
Dt*: the contact stated while making a left or right hand turn the steering wheel became difficult to turn. This occurred on normal roads during normal steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. Upon inspection, the dealership replaced the steering shaft however, the problem still exists. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 3/9/2006 - left front axle front seals leaked. The consumer heard noise in the rear end. The power steering pump flow control was replaced. The body control module was replaced. The front differential shaft seal were replaced. The tires were chopped due to alignment being out of adjustment. Driver's door had to be realigned. Master cylinder was replaced.
The truck loses power steering assist in slow turning maneuvers there were no events leading up to the failure. The failure occurred at about 2000 miles and has persisted to 20,000 miles. I have had the vehicle serviced over 25 times. The dealership has replaced the steering gear 2 times, the power steering pump, the hoses for the power steering pump, the hydraulic vacuum assist 2 times and then placed a manual vacuum assist the third time which is not original equipment, they have replaced the electronic control for the vacuum assist 3 times and most recently replaced the electronic fuse control for the vacuum assist.
I have owned my 2004 Chevy Silverado since sept. Of 2004 without any problems. Just recently, however, my power steering is failing at speeds below 10 miles per hour. I have taken it to the dealer and have been informed that this is common for the car and that there is nothing they can do. I was presented with a bulletin stating as much. I believe that power steering loss at any speed poses a significant risk to me, pedestrians, and property. I would like to see this problem resolved. My understanding is that there are many Silverado owners experiencing this problem. Failure is now a daily occurrence. Please advise.
05V043000/hydraulic brake Bosch. The consumer is experiencing a problem with the brakes and steering. The consumer stated that when driving and applying the brake, the vehicle lost power steering. The brake does not return to its normal position after the brake has been released causing the vehicle to lose power steering. Owner took the vehicle back to the dealer and was told that because they can not duplicate the problem they will not do anything. Also the owner contacted the manufacturer and was told that there are no recalls on this vehicle, what so ever. Provide further details.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado...the steering column makes a horrible clunking noise. We have had it replaced several times under warranty but now there's no warranty and these parts and labor are too expensive to fix. The dealer says and I know from owning another 2003 Chevrolet suburban than this is a major problem with these year model trucks and suvs. We shouldn't have to pay for something they can obviously see is wrong! Sometimes it feels like the steering is not acting right because of it and I feel unsafe driving in these conditions. Please help!!!!
Loose steering components on 3 GM vehicles I own. Dealer replaced once at 7000 miles. Problem occurred again at 14,000 miles. Same problem has occurred on my 2005 Cadillac escalade and 2003 Chevrolet suburban. Evidenced by loud clunk when driving. Loose steering components could lead to failure. Was told by dealer that he had ordered over 150 of the same components at the time of first replacement. GM refuses to replace components, instead packing with grease as a temporary fix. Problem will be on going until sub-standard parts are replaced.
Death was the result of a crash involving a 2004 Silverado truck, dually. My son, gene, deceased owner, was returning home when truck skidded and rolled over at least twice, killing him. I think there May have been a problem with the brakes or power steering, but am not sure how to proceed with this. I hope you can help in some way. Gene's work was on the road, and he lived on the road. Although alcohol was a factor in the crash , his mother spoke to him within the hour of his death and he did not seem very intoxicated.
Steering complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, 7% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Silverado steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, though it has 8 recalls for other components. 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.