2004 Chevrolet Silverado Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 7%of 622 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, 7% of the 622 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,750 miles. 3 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.
“Just bought this truck and there is a clunking, thumping, in the steering column. My mechanic says there is a problem with all full size GM products, GM needs to fix this with a permanent fix. How can this not be a safety issue? I bought this truck for safety of my family.”
NHTSA complaint #10370033, filed 2010-12, 80,522 miles“1) while backing up a travel trailer into my driveway, the steering wheel became impossible to turn and in addition there was no power brake function in the truck. 2) without steering or braking power the truck was impossible to drive. Had this event occurred just minutes earlier when we were traveling a narrow and winding mountain road, a major crash with lives lost could have easily occurred. 3) we have an appointment to have the truck towed to a chevy dealer on september 26. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137458, filed 2005-09, 23,677 miles“My 2004 Chevrolet Silverado z71 has a failure in the steering column linkage where it makes a clunking & whining noise, primarily when turning left. This is a safety issue that my mechanic tells me will cause the steering to fail and that almost all of his customers who own late model GM trucks have this failure. My dealer, classic Chevrolet, has also confirmed that this is a very common failure in chevy trucks. My 2002 suburban had this same problem and the dealer had to replace it twice before it was repaired properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10197808, filed 2007-07, 39,000 miles“Loose steering components on 3 GM vehicles I own. Dealer replaced once at 7000 miles. Problem occurred again at 14,000 miles. Same problem has occurred on my 2005 cadillac escalade and 2003 Chevrolet suburban. Evidenced by loud clunk when driving. Loose steering components could lead to failure. Was told by dealer that he had ordered over 150 of the same components at the time of first replacement. Gm refuses to replace components, instead packing with grease as a temporary fix. Problem will be on going until sub-standard parts are replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10165669, filed 2006-08, 7,000 miles“When I bought my 04 Silverado truck used in february of this year I noticed a klunking in the steering. After getting it checked out I found out that it was the upper intermediate steering shaft. My father-in-law bought an 02 and had the same problem. Well after doing some research I found out that this is a huge problem with the 01-05 silverados. I have spoken to other owners about this and a couple have said that GM said that its not a safety issue so they wouldn't fix it. They make a replacement for this shaft but it is $92 and then they have to put it in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10205048, filed 2007-10, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10022671Apr 1, 2011Gear box power steering pump, p/s performance concerns. *nj updated on 6/30/2011.
- 10036545Oct 1, 2010Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/oldsmobile and hummer: information on pitman arm shaft seal service kit. Do not replace entire steering gear for pitman seal leak. Technicians have…
- 10025148Apr 1, 2008Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel and/or steering column (replace upper intermediate steering shaft [I-shaft] assembly).
- 10012089Feb 1, 2007Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel. *eh updated *eh updated.
- 10019479Jan 1, 2006Increased steering and brake effort.
- 10014899May 11, 2005Steering idler arm inspection procedure.
- 10013533Apr 21, 2005Lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 | 6% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2015 | 13 | 17% |
| 2014 | 19 | 15% |
| 2013 | 8 | 13% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 6 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 9 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 5% |
| 2005 | 24 | 8% |
| 2004 | 44 | 7% |
| 2003 | 80 | 12% |
| 2002 | 39 | 5% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
| 2000 | 73 | 6% |
| 1999 | 69 | 4% |
| 1998 | 21 | 8% |
| 1997 | 59 | 22% |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 5% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
211 complaintsElectrical system
159 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsTires
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
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