← New search

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado 2500 years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

336 reports with mileage · 32 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 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports10 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

368 reports
98,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

AS WITH MANY OTHER POSTS HERE, I TOO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER(BAD SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGE READINGS, "ELECTRICAL") AND ALSO THE TRANSFER CASE WITH HOLES WEARING THROUGH THE CASE, "PUMP SLAP". EVERYTHING I HAVE RESEARCHED HAS LED TO ISSUES IN BOTH PROBLEMS. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED BOTH PROBLEMS BUT STILL NOTH…

Read full complaint

AS WITH MANY OTHER POSTS HERE, I TOO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER(BAD SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGE READINGS, "ELECTRICAL") AND ALSO THE TRANSFER CASE WITH HOLES WEARING THROUGH THE CASE, "PUMP SLAP". EVERYTHING I HAVE RESEARCHED HAS LED TO ISSUES IN BOTH PROBLEMS. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED BOTH PROBLEMS BUT STILL NOTHING BACK FROM GM. WHAT A SHAME THAT THESE AND ALL OTHER ISSUES CAN'T BE ADDRESSED BY GM. I HAVE NOT YET HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, YET, BUT I TELL YOU, IT WILL BE LOOKED INTO. THESE BOTH HAVE HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10854289

95,000 miles · Mar 16, 2016
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10849990

107,000 miles · Jan 31, 2016
Service BrakesStructureWheels

REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH 107,000 MILES ON A 2004 TRUCK. ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE PITTED APPEARS TO BE LOSING THE COATIING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS SHOWING RUST. HEADLINER IS FALLING DOWN IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR RADIO SPEAKERS ARE NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #10823323

293,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE , STEEL BRAKE LINE UNDER DRIVERS DOOR RUSTED AND BROKE .

NHTSA ODI #10818523

108,096 miles · Nov 8, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WITH THE DURAMAX DIESEL AND ALLISON TRANSMISSION. ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015, SHORTLY AFTER A FUEL STOP, I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 24 NEAR PADUCAH, KY. AT APPROXIMATEL…

Read full complaint

I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WITH THE DURAMAX DIESEL AND ALLISON TRANSMISSION. ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015, SHORTLY AFTER A FUEL STOP, I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 24 NEAR PADUCAH, KY. AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD ENGINE RATTLING, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WITH SOME DIFFICULTY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON THE SHOULDER. SINCE I WAS JUST A FEW MILES FROM THE PADUCAH EXIT, I LIMPED THERE AND INTO A HAMPTON INN PARKING LOT. AAA RESPONDED AND TOWED THE TRUCK TO ROYAL OAKS CHEVROLET IN PADUCAH. SINCE IT WAS A SUNDAY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED. THE NEXT MORNING, THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT PULLED UP CODES PO202 AND P2149. THE SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE AND THAT IT WOULD BE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE REPAIR PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN IS #05-06-04-047C. THE BULLETIN ADDRESSES "A SEVERE REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER (LIMP HOME MODE)" I WAS CHARGED $1,076 FOR REPAIRS FOR A KNOWN DEFECT THAT CHEVROLET KNEW ABOUT.

NHTSA ODI #10789056

190,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
Service Brakes

DURING A HIGHWAY BRAKING EVENT, BRAKE LINES BLEW OUT DUE TO RUSTING, CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10788750

164,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Service Brakes

BRAKES FAILED UNDER HARD STOP (HIGHWAY, IN MOTION) TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH DEER. MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS MODULE STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED IN A MODE OF RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION. ALL OTHER STEEL LINES WERE CORRODED AND CONTACTED GM. 2 OTHER SILVERADO LINE VEHICLES OWNED ALSO FAILED THIS YEAR DUE TO CORROSION. GM RESPONSE WAS TH…

Read full complaint

BRAKES FAILED UNDER HARD STOP (HIGHWAY, IN MOTION) TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH DEER. MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS MODULE STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED IN A MODE OF RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION. ALL OTHER STEEL LINES WERE CORRODED AND CONTACTED GM. 2 OTHER SILVERADO LINE VEHICLES OWNED ALSO FAILED THIS YEAR DUE TO CORROSION. GM RESPONSE WAS THAT NO RECALL EXISTED. REPLACED ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES IN VEHICLE WITH STAINLESS AFTERMARKET LINES. AFTER MULTIPLE CONTACTS WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD TO SAVE MY RECEIPTS FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS AN INCORRECT MATERIAL SPECIFICATION, LATENT DEFECT AND GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. 3 VEHICLES THAT I OWN WITH THE SAME REPAIR IN 8 MONTHS. INEXCUSABLE!

NHTSA ODI #10786250

250,000 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. FAILURE POINT BETWEEN GAS TANK AND REAR FRAME RAIL WHERE HYDRAULIC LINE IS MOUNTED ON LH SIDE OF VEHICLE. UPON APPLYING BRAKES, THE LINE BLEW CAUSING NEAR TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE COMING TO STOP LIGHT NARROWLY AVOIDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH PRESSURE FOR FRONT BRAKES TO…

Read full complaint

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. FAILURE POINT BETWEEN GAS TANK AND REAR FRAME RAIL WHERE HYDRAULIC LINE IS MOUNTED ON LH SIDE OF VEHICLE. UPON APPLYING BRAKES, THE LINE BLEW CAUSING NEAR TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE COMING TO STOP LIGHT NARROWLY AVOIDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH PRESSURE FOR FRONT BRAKES TO GRAB BARELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN CONSIDERING THE COATING TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE IN 2004. THIS TRUCK IS RATED @ 9200 GVW WITH A TOWING CAPACITY OF 10,000 POUNDS. IF THIS TRUCK WAS FULLY LOADED THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IN THE RIGHT SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10762035

230,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED PRIOR TO DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE M…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED PRIOR TO DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE RETENTION CLIP FOR THE OIL PUMP IN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED, THE PUMP CREATED A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE CASE. UPON COMPLETE DISCHARGE OF THE LUBRICATION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPIKE ITS RPM AND DROP INTO NEUTRAL OR A LOWER GEAR. UPDATED 03/01/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10749279

81,238 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Service Brakes

AS TRAFFIC SLOWED AHEAD OF ME I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I THEN USED MY PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. I STOPPED AN INCH AWAY FROM THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE OTHER BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO RUSTED BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REP…

Read full complaint

AS TRAFFIC SLOWED AHEAD OF ME I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I THEN USED MY PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. I STOPPED AN INCH AWAY FROM THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE OTHER BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO RUSTED BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO SAID THE FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED SOON. I WAS VERY LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME . I COULD HAVE INJURED OTHER PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI #10745994

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.