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#BS-2004-CHESIL-5B742004 Chevrolet Silverado
Based on reports from 723 owners and 15 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 723 complaints, 68 crashes, 10 fires, and 15 recalls.
Top reported problems
speedometer doesnt work
61 complaints β’ Severity 8.1/10
brake line rusted out
25 complaints β’ Severity 9.5/10
transmission failure
15 complaints β’ Severity 8.9/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
161 owners reported brakes issues β failures commonly reported around 45K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0β30K miles (215 reports) β’ Median: 45K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Brakes (161 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2004 Chevrolet Silverado: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 22% of all reports filed for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, with 161 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 45,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 45K-mile mark.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel Issues
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, with 100 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system: instrument cluster/panel-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, with 44 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip Issues
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, with 27 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. Recent trend: decreasing.



Don't negotiate blind β know what this car costs to own
Repair costs β’ Negotiation scripts β’ Mechanic checklist β’ Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (15 recalls)
EQUIPMENT
AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
+ 10 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Chevrolet Silverado is the 2009 β worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is accessories - interior.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado vs. Class Average (Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD)
This vehicle
723
Class avg
510
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other standard pickup trucks 2wd vehicles from 2004.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume β popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 723 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 15 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Chevrolet Silverado Model Years
2004 Chevrolet Silverado: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado?
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
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Get the Full 2004 Chevrolet Silverado Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 723 owner reports. Know before you buy.