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2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

35 reports with mileage · 6 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Diesel. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

41 reports
67,609 miles · Feb 17, 2013
Service Brakes

BRAKES FAILED. CHINA MADE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND DISINTEGRATED. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. HAD TO GET REPAIR TO STEEL BRAKE LINES FROM ABS PUMP TO MASTER CYLINDER AND FRONT CALIPERS. ALSO MAKE UP AND REPLACE STEEL BRAKE LINE TO REAR AXLE AND TO REAR LEFT AND RIGHT REAR CALIPERS. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BLEED SCREWS IN A…

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BRAKES FAILED. CHINA MADE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND DISINTEGRATED. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. HAD TO GET REPAIR TO STEEL BRAKE LINES FROM ABS PUMP TO MASTER CYLINDER AND FRONT CALIPERS. ALSO MAKE UP AND REPLACE STEEL BRAKE LINE TO REAR AXLE AND TO REAR LEFT AND RIGHT REAR CALIPERS. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BLEED SCREWS IN ALL CALIPERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498404

99,000 miles · Nov 15, 2012
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING MY CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DUALLY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I HAD SO MAKE A SUDDEN EMERGENCY STOP. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VIRTUALLY NO STOPPING POWER FOR THE VEHICLE. I SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND WAS VERY LUCKY. THE TRUCK WENT DIRECTLY TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHICH HAS INFORMED ME THAT…

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WHILE DRIVING MY CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DUALLY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I HAD SO MAKE A SUDDEN EMERGENCY STOP. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VIRTUALLY NO STOPPING POWER FOR THE VEHICLE. I SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND WAS VERY LUCKY. THE TRUCK WENT DIRECTLY TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHICH HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL NEED TO BE CHANGED. I CALLED THE CHEVY SUPPORT NUMBER TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND ASK ABOUT A RECALL. THE REP TOOK THE LAST EIGHT OF MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. I TOW HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH THIS TRUCK FOR WORK, SO IT IS AN ALARMING SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME FOR THE BRAKES TO SUDDENLY NOT WORK WITHOUT WARNING. I AM LUCKY THAT NOBODY GOT KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484746

20,801 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Service Brakes

COUNTY ROAD (THANK GOODNESS). DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN A LADY TURNED OFF A SIDE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THE BRAKE PEDAL HELD MOMENTARILY BUT THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED RIGHT INTO THE DITCH AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP FROM STRIKING HER CAR IN THE REAR. I…

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COUNTY ROAD (THANK GOODNESS). DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN A LADY TURNED OFF A SIDE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THE BRAKE PEDAL HELD MOMENTARILY BUT THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED RIGHT INTO THE DITCH AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP FROM STRIKING HER CAR IN THE REAR. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME (APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES), I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. COULD NOT AFFORD TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP (APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES AWAY IN HEAVY SUBURBAN TRAFFIC) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. SAVED UP AND TOOK THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC (09/2012). MECHANIC ASK IF THE TRUCK HAD EVER BEEN UNDER WATER. REASON FOR QUESTION WAS THE BRAKE LINES, FRONT CALIPERS, AND TOP FORWARD FRAME WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A BREAK FAILURE. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 21,000 MILES, NEVER BEEN SUBMERGED IN WATER, OCCASIONALLY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER, WASHED FREQUENTLY (ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER) AND WAXED, AND HAS ZERO BODY OR BED RUST. AFTER REPAIR, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. I READ SOMEWHERE ON THIS SITE A BULLETIN REGARDING PREMATURE ABS SENSOR FAILURE AND DEALERS FIXING THE SENSORS BUT I CAN NOT FIND THE ABS BULLETIN NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478470

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2012
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS IN REGARDS TO NEGLIGENT DRIVER COLLISION *TGW THE ATTORNEY STATED THE DRIVER OF A TRACTOR TRAILER, DROVE OFF THE EMERGENCY LANE INTO HIS CLIENTS LANE OF TRAVEL RESULTING IN A VERY SEVERE COLLISION, BECAUSE HIS CLIENT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID RUNNING INTO THE REAR OF…

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2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS IN REGARDS TO NEGLIGENT DRIVER COLLISION *TGW THE ATTORNEY STATED THE DRIVER OF A TRACTOR TRAILER, DROVE OFF THE EMERGENCY LANE INTO HIS CLIENTS LANE OF TRAVEL RESULTING IN A VERY SEVERE COLLISION, BECAUSE HIS CLIENT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID RUNNING INTO THE REAR OF HIS TRACTOR TRAILER. THE ATTORNEY BELIEVED THE DRIVER WAS TALKING ON HIS CELL PHONE AND WAS IMPROPERLY LOCATED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AND DID NOT SIGNAL THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER BACK INTO THE LANE OF TRAVEL. AS A DIRECT AND PROXIMATE RESULT, HIS CLIENTS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10463669

34,673 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Engine

IN JANUARY 2004, I BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY 3500 DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK. SINCE MARCH 2005, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INJECTORS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. NOW AT 202,000 THE INJECTORS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. CHEVY WILL NOT HELP OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT EVERYONE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THIS DEPARTMENT SO THAT THIS CAN BE…

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IN JANUARY 2004, I BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY 3500 DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK. SINCE MARCH 2005, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INJECTORS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. NOW AT 202,000 THE INJECTORS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. CHEVY WILL NOT HELP OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT EVERYONE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THIS DEPARTMENT SO THAT THIS CAN BE INVESTIGATED. IN NOVEMBER 2011, SOMEONE WAS TOLD THERE WERE NOT COMPLAINTS. BEING A CHEVY OWNER WITH THESE INJECTOR PROBLEMS, I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN. HOPEFULLY, THIS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION AND HELP ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM GET A RESPONSE FROM CHEVY TO DO SOMETHING. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT CHEAP AND JUST BECAUSE WE USE OUR TRUCKS AND PUT MILES ON THEM, AND THEY HAVE REPEATED FAILURES, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN. THIS PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK IS IN THE DESIGN. HOW MANY PEOPLE REPLACE INJECTORS EVERY 30-40K MILES? THIS IS WHAT I HAVE HAD TO DO OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463027

27,282 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING. HEAVY RUST ON SEVERAL BRAKE LINES, FRAME, AND CROSS MEMBERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456192

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2012
Fuel System, Diesel

CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DURAMAX DIESEL, HAS A CRACKED FUEL FILTER HOUSING, CONTACTED CHEVY/GM CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND EVEN GAVE THEM A TSB THAT I FOUND ON WEBSITE AND INFORMED THEM OF MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING AT THEIR, WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED OUT…

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CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DURAMAX DIESEL, HAS A CRACKED FUEL FILTER HOUSING, CONTACTED CHEVY/GM CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND EVEN GAVE THEM A TSB THAT I FOUND ON WEBSITE AND INFORMED THEM OF MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING AT THEIR, WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED OUT IT STATES THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS FUEL CAN LEAK INTO HOUSING AND CATCH FIRE. I TOLD THE CUSTOMER CARE AGENT OF MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT GM/CHEVY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT! I HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS AND GM REFUSES TO ASSIST ME WITH MOST OF MY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448957

54,000 miles · Oct 19, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CASING BRAKE FAILURE AND A CRASH. NO WARNING LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430885

79,400 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SLOWING DOWN TO TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS NOT YET COMMITTED TO THE TURN LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO PASS THE ENTRANCE AND STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD .THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE THE FIRST ONE OCCURRED LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE ON 5/23/11 ODI #10402905 .THE SERVICE TECH SAYS THE LINE D…

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SLOWING DOWN TO TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS NOT YET COMMITTED TO THE TURN LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO PASS THE ENTRANCE AND STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD .THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE THE FIRST ONE OCCURRED LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE ON 5/23/11 ODI #10402905 .THE SERVICE TECH SAYS THE LINE DON'T LOOK THAT BAD ,AND HE COULD NOT BUY REPLACEMENT LINES FROM CHEVROLET. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TWICE! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429642

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Fuel System, Diesel

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE MUFFLER. THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN SHE NOTICED BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE MUFFLER. THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THREE OF THE EIGHT INJECTORS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THREE INJECTORS FAILED. UPDATED 07/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10413270

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.