Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that after parking and exiting the vehicle, she heard an abnormal clicking noise as the vehicle started to roll away in reverse. While attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver's door opened and slammed her to the ground, traveling over both of her legs. The vehicle then crashed into a fence. A police report was filed. The contact sustained damage to the nerves and arteries of her legs. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 154,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for regular maintenance. The technician notified the contact that there was a hole within the transfer case and it needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
My vehicle is a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado k2500 ext lwb 4wd with approximately 21,000 miles. I have used the four wheel drive feature off and on as needed to negotiate slick road conditions without any problems prior to this incident, which occurred on 12/23/08: while driving in four wheel drive, high range, at approximately 20 MPH on an ice covered road the front wheels locked up without warning, causing me to lose control and skid off the road. Had I been going faster, or if I had been in a traffic situation, there could have been a serious accident, possibly resulting in injuries or death. This front wheel lock up condition is still present as long as the four wheel drive selector is in either high or low range. In two wheel drive the problem is not evident. …
Dt: while driving, the consumer found he was unable to get the engine out of 3rd gear as though it needed to be geared down. The vehicle is an automatic and thought it was an isolated incident. However, when it happened again, it pretty consistent in doing so. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer said it could be fixed and did repair. Diagnosed a shift solenoid, which was replaced. About 1 day later after repair, the same thing occurred. Returned to dealer and was informed that the valve body needed to be replaced. After taking the valve body apart, it was found that it was not the problem. The dealer stated the transmission was the problem. The check engine light illuminated on and that was the first time it had illuminated. Spoke with dealer about this. The next day, the gauges worked but the LED light would not light up along with the odometer. …
2004 Chevrolet Silverado. At about 20,000 miles the truck started to hesitate whenever I would take off from a red light, it would do this about once a month or so. At 30,000 miles or so, it would kind of jump into gear when first taking off or jump into reverse. Dealer would say they test drive at each oil change but could not find nothing, I was sure they wouldn't because it didn't happen every time. Now it's occurring every other week or so. Finally at 76,000 miles it wouldn't get pass second gear, dealer finally found a problem and now it's $2800 to replace parts. No heavy city driving, I only live 5 minutes from work. I put the truck on the highway once a month to travel about 300 miles round trip. The only time the dealer wrote anything down, I discovered, was after the warranty expired. …
When vehicle has been driven for less than 2-3 miles and when transmission is cold the following occurs: when the vehicle operator stops at an intersection, stop sign, or street corner - the engine and transmission continues to propel the vehicle forward while the brakes are applied. The result is that the brakes are fighting against the engine. The vehicle operator must put the vehicle in neutral to stop the vehicle. In many cases, the vehicle travels well into the intersection or well past the normal stopping point before it finally comes to a halt. The result has been several near colliisions with cross traffic. The dealer has been consulted, but the response has been: "unable to duplicate the problem - all systems operating correctly" "this is not true!! This vehicle has only 16,000 miles and is 18 mos old - but this has occurred nearly 10 times. The most recent is 12/2/05.
After an average cold night about 0 - 7* f, snow and ice were on the roads so the vehicle was parked in 4wd and left for the night, when I went to work the next day, the truck made a very loud growling noise from the front differential and trive train for about 20 - 30 miles. Turns out the front diif fluid is a standard 90w gear oil. The fluid froze causing damage to the transfer gears and locking up the right front axle cuasing the 4wd to not engage properly. Took to local dealer in kearney, mo and verified damage to gears and axle. GM was contacted, and initially advised of no proplem repair. Dealer removed cover plate and found signifigant gear and axle damage, GM then replaced the whole front drivetrain assembly as it was under warranty.
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.
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 diesel, four months old(4000miles) rear axile went out. Said default from the manufactor. Took fourteen days to get new one.Chevrolet built new from st.louis and shipped it to be put on. They gave me a little car to drive. 27000 miles and now rear axile leaking. Took to dealer. They said nothing but normal leakage coming out. ( whats normal leakage on a axile? They are not suposed to leak on the brakes.) looked like it was on fire smoking so bad and could smell axile grease. Seen some on tires. But this is normal leakage.was told to drive it till it brakes down.also everthing in the dash stops working then it will just come back on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the reduced engine power warning message illuminated as the vehicle decelerated to 15 MPH. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboard but the vehicle would not accelerate. The failure recurred intermittently through out the years and the dealer replaced the electrical harness, the throttle grounding wire, throttle body and the fuel cap, but to no avail. The dealer could not diagnose the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Transmission complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, 8% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 66% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.