2004 Chevrolet Express 3500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 25%of 16 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Express 3500, 25% of the 16 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On june 08, 2013 my husband had parked the van along side the road - he was out of it working. The vehicle was not running - when a coworker noticed smoke coming from the van. The coworker ran over to the van and seen that the fire was in the steering column. Within minutes the entire van was on fire. My concern is that this van had been having issues with something security. All of the gauges would shut down and it would display security on the dash. I personally had contacted our local chevy dealer to inquire about this problem and how to take care of it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10524779, filed 2013-07, 200,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10201318, filed 2007-08, 39,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10250646, filed 2008-12, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10044941Jul 1, 2014General motors: diagnosing power steering concerns. In rare cases, customers may comment on a lack of steering assist when stopped or during parking lot type of maneuvers. *js…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Express 3500
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Express 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology