2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 75about this part
- Share
- 9%of 797 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 75 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 9% of the 797 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Steering column is faulty in two of my 2004 Chevrolet silverados. Had it repaired by GM but it keeps messing up and causing vibrations, clunking and altering the steering . Also both of my trucks the speedometer has completely quit working at 40,000 miles. How safe is this????? Please please do a recall on these two items.”
NHTSA complaint #10282485, filed 2009-08, 44,000 miles“I have a large clunking noise and can feel it in the steering wheel of my 2004 Chevrolet z71 4x4. It was determined to be the intermediate steering shaft and under warranty the first time at 30k miles. It started again approx. 10k miles ago at 70k. I will be contacting my chevy. Dealer on monday to see if GM will fix at their expense, but not real confident that will happen.”
NHTSA complaint #10269774, filed 2009-05, 70,000 miles“I own a 2004 Chevrolet silverado and feel that the steering system in these automobiles is a disaster waiting to happen. The steering wheel makes a clunking noise when turning. The noise seems to be most prevalent when driving on bumpy roads at low speeds. Do to the seriousness of a steering failure I feel that this should be recalled and fixed by GM immediately. …”
NHTSA complaint #10251964, filed 2008-12, 15,000 miles“Steering failure. Power steering gear box is leaking fluid and has a thumping in steering column. Steering got hard to turn when low on fluid. According to the internet alot of other people are having the same problems. My mechanic told me the steering gear box needs replaced. If someone weaker than me is driving when this happens it could cause an accident because the steering gets hard to turn the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10289048, filed 2009-10, 38,500 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10957000, filed 2017-02, 63,000 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…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 3% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 11 | 3% |
| 2023 | 7 | 2% |
| 2022 | 15 | 2% |
| 2021 | 43 | 5% |
| 2020 | 74 | 10% |
| 2019 | 76 | 7% |
| 2018 | 42 | 8% |
| 2017 | 58 | 8% |
| 2016 | 110 | 14% |
| 2015 | 161 | 14% |
| 2014 | 408 | 28% |
| 2013 | 10 | 3% |
| 2012 | 4 | 2% |
| 2011 | 9 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 9 | 2% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 20 | 2% |
| 2006 | 19 | 5% |
| 2005 | 45 | 9% |
| 2004 | 75 | 9% |
| 2003 | 56 | 7% |
| 2002 | 25 | 5% |
| 2001 | 16 | 3% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 3% |
| 1998 | 47 | 13% |
| 1997 | 140 | 25% |
| 1996 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
330 complaintsElectrical system
267 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsEquipment
13 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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