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2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

700 reports with mileage · 97 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 267 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 229 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports8 fire reports17 injury reports

Steering complaints

75 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2024
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

I just replaced the battery in my 2004 chevy Silverado 1500 with only 97,000 miles on it, and i went to drive it down the road and the vehicle now loses power and cuts off making a left turn.. It did this twice and i parked it.. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE in my opinion.. PLEASE investigate the issue and report back to m…

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I just replaced the battery in my 2004 chevy Silverado 1500 with only 97,000 miles on it, and i went to drive it down the road and the vehicle now loses power and cuts off making a left turn.. It did this twice and i parked it.. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE in my opinion.. PLEASE investigate the issue and report back to me please..

NHTSA ODI #11597757

142,000 miles · Jun 3, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES AND STEERING COMPONENTS ARE VERY UNSAFE, MY STEERING WHEEL HAS TO MUCH PLAY, SOMETHING INSIDE THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES DON?T OPERATE CORRECTLY, THE TRUCK SHAKES AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DUE TO THE SHAKING…

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I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES AND STEERING COMPONENTS ARE VERY UNSAFE, MY STEERING WHEEL HAS TO MUCH PLAY, SOMETHING INSIDE THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES DON?T OPERATE CORRECTLY, THE TRUCK SHAKES AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DUE TO THE SHAKING AND VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. BUT TO SUM IT ALL UP TODAY ON 06-02-2020, I REALIZED THE TRUCK IS ONLY GETTING WORSE AND GETTING HARDER TO STEER AND THE BRAKES CAUSE THE STEERING TO MAKE IT EVEN HARDER TO DRIVE WITH ALL THE SHAKING AND PULLING TO THE SIDE AND ALSO I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE REALLY HARD AT TIMES AND THEN REALLY LIGHT AT TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327048

63,000 miles · Feb 26, 2017
SteeringCrash

THE LOSS OF STEERING CAUSED MY 2004 SILVERADO 1500 TO VEER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED VEERING TO THE LEFT, DESPITE ME TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF IT. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND ENTERED A SANDY FIELD. I APPLIED BRAKES WITH ALL OF MY FOOT FORCE, BUT THE TRUCK SEEMED NOT TO S…

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THE LOSS OF STEERING CAUSED MY 2004 SILVERADO 1500 TO VEER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED VEERING TO THE LEFT, DESPITE ME TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF IT. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND ENTERED A SANDY FIELD. I APPLIED BRAKES WITH ALL OF MY FOOT FORCE, BUT THE TRUCK SEEMED NOT TO SLOW UP ANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOW HEADED TOWARDS A WOODED AREA. THE TRUCK SUDDENLY CAME TO A SUDDEN HALT WHEN IT IMPACTED WITH A BIG PINE TREE. THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED AGAINST MY ARMS AS I USED THEM TO SHIELD MY FACE. I SUDDENLY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GRABBED MY PURSE AND HURRIEDLY VACATED THE VEHICLE. I CALLED 911 AFTER GETTING FAR ENOUGH FROM THE SMOKING TRUCK. I SUFFERED BACK AND NECK PAIN. I HAD DIZZY SPELLS, BECAUSE MY HEAD FELT LIKE A HUMONGOUS BASKETBALL. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT LOOSE MY LIFE. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF A RECALL OF A STEERING COMPONENT. I AM FOR CERTAIN THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF A STEERING COMPONENT ON MY 2004 SILVERADO 1500. I RECEIVED NO LETTER OR PHONE CALL MAKING ME AWARE OF THE RECALL. THIS NEGLIGENCE ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. THE VEHICLE IMPACT INTO THE PINE TREE CAUSED A TOTAL LOSS OF MY SILVERADO. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION. ALL THESE YEARS I HAVE BEEN BEWILDERED ABOUT WHY MY SILVERADO VEERED OFF THE ROAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DESCRIBED THE INCIDENT LIKE A TWIGHTLIGHT MOMENT (A WEIRD UNEXPLAINED HAPPENING).

NHTSA ODI #10957000

145,000 miles · Sep 23, 2016
Seat BeltsSteering

I HEAR CLUNKS IN THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT AND I FEEL THEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN

NHTSA ODI #10909390

170,000 miles · Apr 11, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000....UPDATED 05-10-16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000....UPDATED 05-10-16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE COLUMN LINK DISENGAGED FROM THE GEAR BOX AND HE LOST TOTAL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND RE-ATTACHED THE COLUMN TO THE GEAR BOX CORRECTLY. UPDATED 05/16/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10854774

14,773 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR PULSATING BRAKES AND A WEIRD 'CLUNKING' NOISE/FEEL IN THE STEERING WHEN CORNERING. THEY REPLACED THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY, BUT NEVER LOCATED THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO THIS DAY. LAST WEEK I MET ANOTHER CHEVY SILVERADO OWNER WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PRO…

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TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR PULSATING BRAKES AND A WEIRD 'CLUNKING' NOISE/FEEL IN THE STEERING WHEN CORNERING. THEY REPLACED THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY, BUT NEVER LOCATED THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO THIS DAY. LAST WEEK I MET ANOTHER CHEVY SILVERADO OWNER WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I'VE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED NOR HAVE I SEEN THE BULLETIN ON THIS SITE (HE RECOMMENDED THIS SITE TO OBTAIN THE DATA). HIS VEHICLE WAS THE SAME MAKE & MODEL, BUT ONE YEAR OLDER (MINE IS A 2004). THIS 'CLUNKING' NOISE/FEEL IS CONSISTENT WHEN TURNING CORNERS IN EITHER DIRECTION. IT EFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE FEEL OF THE VEHICLE. AND LEAVES US WONDERING IF THE STEERING BOX IS ABOUT TO FALL APART AT ANY MOMENT. PLEASE ADVISE IF RECALL HAS IN FACT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE & MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597514

10,000 miles · May 22, 2014
SteeringSuspension

THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A KNOCKING NOISE, THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER REPLACED A SHAFT THAT CONNECTED TO THE STEERING SECTOR. THE FIX CORRECTED IT FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PART NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND GREASED EVERY 15000 MILES. I SAID ,WHY DOES…

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THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A KNOCKING NOISE, THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER REPLACED A SHAFT THAT CONNECTED TO THE STEERING SECTOR. THE FIX CORRECTED IT FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PART NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND GREASED EVERY 15000 MILES. I SAID ,WHY DOES IT NOT HAVE GREASE FITTINGS? OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I SENT GM AN E-MAIL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, NEVER GOT AN ANSWER. I DO GET LETTERS FROM GM WANTING ME TRADE FOR A NEW ONE. WHY PAY $40 TO $50 THOUSAND FOR A VEHICLE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WONT STAND BEHIND? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593531

90,000 miles · Aug 5, 2013
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOMETER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOMETER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 9/17/13*CN THE RACK AND PINION, STEERING COLUMN AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO REPLACED. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI #10533725

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2013
Steering

TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT STEERING NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED AND THAT THERE IS POSSIBLY A RECALL ON STEERING COLUMN, EVIDENTLY THERE ARE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MECHANISM. FROM SEEING COMPLIANT LISTS. NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL. WOULD APPRECIATE CORRESPONDENCE ON THIS PROBLEM. FROM GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505713

32,000 miles · Mar 19, 2013
Steering

THE STEERING MECHANISM HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HALF TON PU 4 TIMES IN 100,000 MILES, THE FIRST TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. YOU START FEELING PLAY AND KNOCKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I GET IT REPAIRED WHEN I START FEELING THE KNOCK. THE MECHANICS HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING ME…

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THE STEERING MECHANISM HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HALF TON PU 4 TIMES IN 100,000 MILES, THE FIRST TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. YOU START FEELING PLAY AND KNOCKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I GET IT REPAIRED WHEN I START FEELING THE KNOCK. THE MECHANICS HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MOST SILVERADOS OF THAT AGE SEVERAL TIMES. IT SEEMS THE STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE & THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT HAS COST ABOUT $900 EACH TIME TO REPAIR IT. EVEN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503567

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.