2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems
- Complaints
- 41filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 35 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The part named most often is brakes, with 21 complaints (51% of the total), followed by fuel system (7) and electrical system (4). 35 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 168 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 8 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.
- Brakes21 51%
- Fuel system7 17%
- Electrical system4 9.8%
- Engine cooling4 9.8%
- Engine2 4.9%
- Steering2 4.9%
- Body and structure2 4.9%
- Other or unknown1 2.4%
- Suspension1 2.4%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “All factory hard brake lines have failed due to corrosion. I've replaced the intermediate line between the master cylinder and distribution block with stainless steel 1.5 yrs ago. I just replaced the rear brake lines along the axel. Now the front brake lines have failed. In all cases the lines failed while driving and emptied the master cylinder. I do not live in the salt belt.”
NHTSA complaint #11023798, filed 2017-09, 104,000 milesFuel system: “2 problems: 1- while driving with no warning the brakes failed. After coasting to a stop I noticed a brake line had ruptured at the frame rail under driver area. I was able to crimp brake line with a pair of vice grip pliers and move truck to a safe location for repair. I believe the brake lines used on these trucks to be of such inferior quality that sudden failure is a common occurrence. 2- my truck has dual tanks for diesel fuel and they have worked sporadically for years. I did not see this as a safety issue as much as an inconvenience. …”
NHTSA complaint #10849665, filed 2016-03, 136,000 milesElectrical system: “After disengaging cruise control my speedometer was registering 80mph plus as my speed. When coming to a stop the speedometer registered 35 MPH. The speedometer went up to 100mpg when I stayed with expressway traffic, keeps on going up,even though my foot is off the gas pedal. This is a defect in the dash instrument cluster.(as told by GM repair person) I was not notified of a recall because there isn't one.”
NHTSA complaint #10261677, filed 2009-03, 71,000 milesEngine cooling: “The contact owns a 2004 cheverolet SILVERADO 3500. On april 20, 2008,while driving approximately 70 MPH up hill, the vehicle downshifted on its own. The engine lost power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to check the engine. The engine was still running when he opened the hood and he noticed oil and diesel fuel all over the engine. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealer. The mechanic tested the cylinder by blowing air into it and the air traveled to the crank case. …”
NHTSA complaint #10241998, filed 2008-09, 70,800 milesMileage when problems were reported
49% of the 35 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 79,400 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 168 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging…
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024Fuel system, Engine. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
- 11004557Jun 17, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 1,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 51 | 2,800 | 3 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 16 | 18,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 27 | 53,500 | 3 | — | — | 43 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 41 | 34,500 | 5 | — | — | 64 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 42 | 40,000 | 8 | — | — | 56 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 22 | 7,390 | 7 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 19 | 23,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2017 | 13 | 22,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 51 | 24,486 | 7 | — | — | 91 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 52 | 34,461 | 7 | — | — | 79 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 10 | 37,900 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 26 | 56,000 | 4 | — | — | 28 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2012 | 23 | 46,962 | 4 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2011 | 29 | 54,588 | 5 | — | — | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 10 | 47,655 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 31 | 74,629 | 4 | — | — | 24 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2007 | 39 | 34,500 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 52 | 52,036 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2005 | 46 | 56,633 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 41 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 42 | 84,728 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 50 | 44,844 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 72 | 68,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 80 | 47,974 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 47 | 52,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 67 | 71,200 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 61 | 61,517 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have?
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 21 complaints (51% of the total), followed by fuel system with 7.
Has the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reported?
Among the 35 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 79,400 miles; 49% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.