Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
While driving 58 MPH steering wheel pulled to the left, causing consumer's vehicle to rear end another vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
I currently own a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series truck, prior to signing the papers there was a shimmy/vibration coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealership said that the tires were not properly spun balanced, stating that they were I signed the papers, then after that the vehicle had the drive shaft replaced, two sets of tires, alignment out, calipers hanging up-replaced, rear disc parking brake both replaced, then after the shimmy vibration continued, GM technical assistance to the dealership stated that all the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series have this vibration and it is classified as "beam shake". Their solution was to put 200 pounds of weight over the axle in the bed of the truck stating "it will ride like a Cadillac". The weight did not change the vibration and now they have a GM field engineer coming to look at the truck. The vehicle was purchased 12 dec. …
I am an automobile mechanic and have been for over twenty years. On 9\17\04 I purchased a brand new 04 Chevrolet Silverado super sport, a truck that the GM factory lowered two inches in the front and four inches in the rear. The first night I owned the truck I noticed a series suspension problem. On Monday I looked under the front suspension and realized the factory lowered the front end right down on the bump stops, so it has no front suspension. I took the truck back to the dealer and told them the problem they said, oh yea there all like that. I was driving home on 9\26\04 doing 70 MPH on the freeway and hit a little tiny bump in the road and almost lost control of the truck. When I hit a bump the front tires come off the ground. This truck is very unsafe I can go over even the smallest bump and feel the front end come off the ground. This truck is a very limited edition. …
The problem started soon after I drove the new 2004 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab off the lot. When traveling between 60-70 MPH, the trucks suspension will bounce almost as if there are no shock absorbers. This bouncing will continue until the speed is reduced to below 55 MPH. I brought the truck in to the pittsburgh, ca dealer and complained. They said it was only a "california concrete highway" problem. They said it was the road and not the truck. I have this problem almost continually now, I complained to Chevrolet's customer complaint section, who gave me the same answer. The problem with their answer is that I own a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab truck that does not go into uncontrollable bouncing as this one does. I also drive a Chevrolet avalanche that does not bounce uncontrollably as this one does when driven at the same speeds on the same stretches of roadway. …
I have a2004 Chevy 3500 Silverado, with 50,000 miles on, I noticed a clicking noise in the right front. With further investigation, I noticed that the front wheel was loose on the truck. The wheel bearing was loose. I called general motors and discussed the bearing failure. I got the new bearing and started to do the repair. I noticed that everything looked new yet, but the bearing was coming apart. The bearing is a sealed unit-it is pressed together. The bearing is not manufactured properly- it is not pressed together right so that the front tire could fall off and cause serious accidents. I am sure there is alot of failure on these bearings and this should be checked out. When these bearings fail because of the pressed fit, they self destruct violently and there is no way you can look at it after it fails unless you catch it early. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the front tires were wearing prematurely. The tires were rotated regularly, but the front tires continued to wear prematurely. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the manufacturer designed the front tires to be rotated every 6,000 miles. The contact felt that the suspension was causing the tires to wear prematurely. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 6,000 and the current mileage was 40,400. .. Updated 08-30-12 the consumer stated the tires were rotated every 3,000 miles since the vehicle had 6,000 miles. The dealer and manufacturer offered no repair for the failure. Updated 09/04/2012
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.
Prior to purchase of the vehicle a vibration and bouncing was noted on the test drive, the dealer assured me that the problem would be corrected and two days later they replaced the tires. This did not eliminate all of the bouncing, the dealer again serviced the vehicle, the salesman and the service manager both rode with me in the vehicle and agreed that there was a problem and that it would be corrected even if all of the suspension components, wheels and tires had to be replaced. One day later I was told that the bouncing was characteristic of the vehicle and that there was nothing they could do about it, no other solution was offered. I do not feel the vehicle is performing correctly and is not safe.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle will not align properly. The improper alignment resulted in premature tire wear on the outside of the tires. The problem manifests itself with the right front tire showing excessive outside wear and eventually affects every tire. The vehicle has been maintained with proper tire rotation and is only driven on the highway. The front end has been aligned three times by the service dealer without getting a proper alignment. Also, with every alignment attempt the tires were replaced. The dealer contacted the manufacturer who determined this was a normal characteristic of the vehicle, although the vehicle has dual wheels.
I own a 2500hd w/duramax diesel.it has frame beaming defects.defect was present from the start but was not identified till about 20,000 mi.truck tearing up tires,vibrating,difficult to steer and getting worse along with developing other problems.GM has lied and tried to hide that there really is a defect.they would not present any TSB's or any other info reguarding when asked.the truck was vibrating so bad the other night I just all of a sudden blew the r&r tire and almost hit a rock embankment.tires had less than 18000 miles on them .I bought 2 more just to try to be safe and get there.please help with any info or advice, anything!
Suspension complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, 3% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is front (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Silverado suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 84% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.