2004 Chevrolet Silverado Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 8%of 622 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,625miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, 8% of the 622 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,625 miles. 4 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.
“I have a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado z71 pickup crewcab and a clunking began in the transmission around 2000 miles and has worsened. The truck now has 19,000 miles and the dealer said there was not a problem and it was normal for this truck. I know this is a problem from doing some searching on the internet and want to know what will be done to correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10120954, filed 2005-05, 2,000 miles“My 4 wheel drive pickup has shifted from 2 wheel drive to low 4 wheel drive without command. It is now in the shop for the third time for the same problem. This could be deadly at high speeds. I am awair of one truck of the same make and model that crashed into a ditch when this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10124926, filed 2005-06, 18 miles“I was driving home from errand running and found the brake pedal going almost to the floor. Found a puddle of brake fluid under the truck near the back of the cab and bed of truck. Called my service person and he said it was probably a ruptured brake line, and from the description of where the puddle was it was probably above the gas tank where the line is secured to the frame. He also stated that he has repaired multiple chevy trucks with the same problem. I have seen the underside of my truck and all the lines are rusted, including fuel and transmission cooling lines.”
NHTSA complaint #10548028, filed 2013-10, 112,000 miles“A clunk sound emanates from the driveline of my 2004 Silverado mostly when shifting from 2nd to 3rd and from 3rd to 2nd. The clunk also occurs between no acceleration and accelleration while in 2nd gear. Occasionally the noise occurs between 1st and 2nd gear. The problem began at approximately 2000 miles. It has gotten worse as I now approach 20,000 miles. I am concerned about a driveline failure or damage to driveline components due to repeated torsional impacts.”
NHTSA complaint #10110487, filed 2005-02, 2,000 miles“2004 Chevrolet Silverado. At about 20,000 miles the truck started to hesitate whenever I would take off from a red light, it would do this about once a month or so. At 30,000 miles or so, it would kind of jump into gear when first taking off or jump into reverse. Dealer would say they test drive at each oil change but could not find nothing, I was sure they wouldn't because it didn't happen every time. Now it's occurring every other week or so. Finally at 76,000 miles it wouldn't get pass second gear, dealer finally found a problem and now it's $2800 to replace parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10253546, filed 2009-01, 76,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113664May 29, 2015This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlow®.
- 10112401Oct 9, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have not engagement into drive, delayed, no engagement into reverse, and or…
- 10023751Feb 1, 2013Engine surge or stall at stop and/or dtc p0742 possible tcc applied. Equipped with allison lct1000 transmission rpo m74 or mw7. *nj updated 4/22/13.
- 10112697Dec 27, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
- 10112681Dec 17, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a planetary gear whine noise in first and second gear. Technician…
- 10112523Oct 30, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have slip in forward ranges immediately after replacing the input housing…
- 10043185Nov 1, 2011Cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/hummer: some suvs and trucks are exhibiting a condition where by grinding/ratcheting type noise coming from automatic transmission when shifting into park…
- 10026804Oct 1, 2008Gmc: fluid leak from transmission oil cooler lines due to corrosion. All 2000-2006 light duty trucks equipped with the light duty automatic transmission.
- 10024345Feb 1, 2008Eaton locking differential chatter shudder noise on turns, equipped with a locking rear differential rpo g80. *nj updated 7/17/2008.
- 10024283Feb 1, 2008Duramax diesel injector driver codes with 6.6 engine (vin 2 - rpo lly).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 33 | 26% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2015 | 11 | 14% |
| 2014 | 37 | 30% |
| 2013 | 11 | 17% |
| 2012 | 11 | 16% |
| 2011 | 4 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 21 | 11% |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% |
| 2005 | 29 | 9% |
| 2004 | 49 | 8% |
| 2003 | 81 | 12% |
| 2002 | 70 | 10% |
| 2001 | 64 | 7% |
| 2000 | 103 | 8% |
| 1999 | 97 | 6% |
| 1998 | 14 | 5% |
| 1997 | 35 | 13% |
| 1996 | 22 | 12% |
| 1995 | 20 | 8% |
| 1994 | 7 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 4 | 10% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
211 complaintsElectrical system
159 complaintsSteering
44 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 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