CarModelProblems.com

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 6.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
368Complaints
2Recalls
19Crashes
10Fires
10Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (26.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Service Brakes complaints here are 6.0× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes99 · 26.9%No official action
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel57 · 15.5%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic54 · 14.7%No official action
Electrical System46 · 12.5%No official action
Engine14 · 3.8%No official action
Steering13 · 3.5%RecalledRecall 06E010000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES99 · 26.9%
ENGINE14 · 3.8%
STEERING13 · 3.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS10 · 2.7%
WHEELS9 · 2.4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8 · 2.2%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL8 · 2.2%

Percentages are the share of the 368 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Steering

NHTSA campaign 06E010000 · 2006 · reported 02/01/2006

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E043000 · 2006 · reported 05/19/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY AT 56,000 MILES.”NHTSA complaint 10316910 — filed 03/04/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
“CLUNKING AND LOOSENESS IN STEERING COLUMN. 2004 6.0 LITER HD 2500 CHEVROLET. FEELS LIKE STEERING MAY FAIL ON VEHICLE IF SOMETHING IS NOT CORRECTED.”NHTSA complaint 10312537 — filed 02/21/2010 · STEERING
“2004 CHEVY SILVERADO HD 2500 DIESEL--TRANSFER CASE WEARING FROM INSIDE OUT I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO HAVE SERVICE WORK DONE ON IT, AND FOUND…”NHTSA complaint 10311685 — filed 02/18/2010 · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

3120094860201130412013471820151792017962019412021212026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 99 of 368 NHTSA complaints (26.9%), followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (57), service brakes, hydraulic (54), electrical system (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?

368 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E010000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.