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Chevrolet ClassicModel year report

2004 Chevrolet Classic Problems

Complaints
40filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
90,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Chevrolet Classic (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Classic. The part named most often is electrical system, with 28 complaints (70% of the total), followed by engine (4) and brakes (3). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 13% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, 5 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 315 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 64 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 20 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Occasionally, at the most inopportune times, the anti-theft system will not allow me to start my vehicle. The only cure is to turn the key to the on position for 10 minutes until the anti-theft light on the dash goes out. This is getting to be a major pain in the neck, especially because I am handicapped. I could be stranded anywhere, without warning!”

NHTSA complaint #10402244, filed 2011-05, 65,000 miles

Engine: “The vehicles anti theft system turned the fuel off. This has happened 6 times and resulted in multiple towing and mechanics bills. Has also endangered our safety by leaving us stranded along the road. Had replaced fuel pump and filters and lines, etc. Before I determined problem to be security system not allowing car to start. This has been expensive and frustrating and endangered my family.”

NHTSA complaint #10466618, filed 2012-07, 143,000 miles

Brakes: “Brake lines rusted through causing complete brake failure. All the lines(4) run very close together underneeth the air filter box. By running the lines this close together it allows moistures to be held in the tiny gaps between the lines, therby cuasing accelerated rusting and corrosion. Brake lines rusting out in just over 10 years seems premature given how many of the vehicles 10 years old are still on the road. Maybe I'm wrong? Luckily I was just leaving the driveway to go to the car wash. …”

NHTSA complaint #10788735, filed 2015-11, 114,000 miles

Equipment: “My 2004 Chevrolet Classic's passlock system is faulty. The theft system light will come on randomly and my car will not start. This has the potential to be very dangerous as I live in a desert and right now the day time temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees. The 1st time this happened was in the middle of the day and I was stranded for nearly an hour. After checking several sources online it sounds like this will be a continual problem unless I get expensive repairs done. Chevy should be issuing recalls on the vehicles that have this problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10345263, filed 2010-07, 75,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

13% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 106,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2513%25–5023%50–7529%75–10032%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 90,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20062008201020121120152017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Chevrolet Classic. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Classic · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Chevrolet Classic version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Classic FWD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic213125$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Chevrolet Classic → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 315 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 315 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Classic

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20054985,7621—25Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20044090,0001—25Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Chevrolet Classic model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Classic have?

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Classic as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Chevrolet Classic is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 28 complaints (70% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2004 Chevrolet Classic been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Classic get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Chevrolet Classic (Classic, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 21 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Classic reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 106,000 miles; 13% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.