2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 368 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 368 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced reduced power and went into LIMP Mode. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle after several minutes, as per the Owner's Manual. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that it could take 1-2 weeks to diagnose the vehicle, and several months to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
“The transfer case wore a pine hole in the case from the oil pump spring lock not securing movement causing me to loose all oil from transfer case. This left me stranded when I could not shift into 4 wheel drive the could not get it to re- engage 2wheel drive. This could have possibly caused catastrophic loss of control had the transfer case locked up while driving at high speed on slick roads or if someone ran into me from sudden lock up of the drive train.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2021
“Cant remember what happened I black out and woke up with cops around me. The front end of the truck is wrecked. Airbags did not deploy.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Hydro boost has failed. It was discovered by gardnerville auto in gardnerville, nevada . On wednesday 1/15/2020. I contacted general motors and they said there no recalls on this vehicle. They showed old recalls on lighting and power steering but nothing on the hydro boost. The garage shows three different recalls on the hydro boost, two of which were reported by ntsb.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2020
“I have changed all 4 new tires in 4 different times every yrs not sure if that a wheel problem. And also fix my fuel injection system that was give me a problem in the past. Now I replace all new rotor brake discs and pad in 30 minutes out from a mechanical shop it's show a engine light now saying range shift inhibited on my dashboard. And when I'm shifting to drive it just reverse instead of drive. Now is back in the shop for now problem to come. From garden city kansas”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 2500 equipped with primewell valera ht harry truman tires, size: lt265/75/r16 (na). While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have all the tires replaced on two separate occasions; however, the failure continued. The contact was informed that the tires were defective and could not be balanced correctly. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2019
“Brake lines failed after having already been replaced. Factory lines corroded through and truck was scary to slow down. Was fortunate to be going at low speeds in a residential area - but glad there were no kids around and I needed to brake quickly!”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2019
“Federal couraga mt tire tread separation at freeway speeds without warning. Not even at half of the tread life no signs of damage or cracking prior to this. All other tires look ok but have been replaced for concerns over the safety of the tires and manufacturing quality”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2018
“Power steering is hard to turn and also takes longer to stop the vehicle, hydro boost is leaking at the base causing the vehicle to turn hard and sloppy stopping, dealership says no warranty for it and it should be okay as long as you keep fluid filled, that comment sounds dangerous and unsafe from the dealership, it continues to leak power steering fluid.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2018
“Check engine light came on and "low engine power" flashed where the odometer is. This caused the rpm's not to go over 2800. Code reader claims o2 sensors or throttle control module or catalytic convertor issues. We discovered it was none of the above. To fix problem change 3 relays located under hood in fuse box. Relay #8864. Then clear codes, should fix issue unless code persists. Relays will cause a fire if not changed out asap.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 2500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 368 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,900 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.