Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reports
50,000 miles · Jun 26, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 CHEVY EXPRESS 3500 ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING, STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. A WARNING LIGHT INDICATED A FAILURE OF THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. FAULT CODE C0196 WAS RECORDED. MY DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN THE V…
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THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 CHEVY EXPRESS 3500 ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING, STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. A WARNING LIGHT INDICATED A FAILURE OF THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. FAULT CODE C0196 WAS RECORDED. MY DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275040
60,000 miles · Dec 3, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NUMEROUS DEALERS AND SHOPS, BUT THEY ALL CONFIRMED THAT THE HYDRO BOOST FAILED. THERE WAS A RECALL, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. NO RECALL COULD BE FOUND FOR THE CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IF THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10250646
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2007
Steering
2004 CHEVY EXPRESS WITH BROKEN STEERING IDLER. CONSUMER IS PLEASED BECAUSE THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM. *KB **NAR**
NHTSA ODI #10210496
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2007
Structure
FAULTY HINGE PINS ON SIDE DOORS OF 2004 CHEVY 3500 EXPRESS VAN CAUSE SEVERE BINDING OF HINGES. THIS COULD CAUSE EXIT DIFFICULTY FOR CHILD OR ELDERLY TRYING TO EXIT IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY. IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE YEARS AND PINS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED. CHEVY WILL ONLY REPAIR AT CUSTOMERS EXPENSE. THIS IS NOT FROM DAM…
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FAULTY HINGE PINS ON SIDE DOORS OF 2004 CHEVY 3500 EXPRESS VAN CAUSE SEVERE BINDING OF HINGES. THIS COULD CAUSE EXIT DIFFICULTY FOR CHILD OR ELDERLY TRYING TO EXIT IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY. IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE YEARS AND PINS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED. CHEVY WILL ONLY REPAIR AT CUSTOMERS EXPENSE. THIS IS NOT FROM DAMAGE OR NEGLECT. I HAVE TRIED TO LUBRICATE WITH NO SUCCESS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10205561
39,000 miles · Aug 31, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING IDLER ARM WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE REPAIR AS PART OF RECALL NUMBER 07103 BECAUSE THE CRACK ON THE IDLER ARM WAS NOT LOCATED IN THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING IDLER ARM WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE REPAIR AS PART OF RECALL NUMBER 07103 BECAUSE THE CRACK ON THE IDLER ARM WAS NOT LOCATED IN THE CORRECT SPOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 10/09/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10201318
9,800 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WITH BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO TURNED THE BRAKE ROTORS. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO AS UNABLE TO DUPLI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WITH BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO TURNED THE BRAKE ROTORS. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO AS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA ODI #10164314
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Chevrolet Express 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year