Chevrolet Silverado Complaints (2004)

1,846 consumer complaints on file.

#10494776January 25, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
NOTICED COOLANT LEVEL WOULD GET LOW. FOUND WATER PUMP MOUNTING GASKET LEAKING, REPLACED WATER PUMP AND GASKETS, BUT CONTINUED LOSING COOLANT. FOUND OUT THERE IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH CHEVY 4.8 AND 5.3 VORTEX ENGINE HEADS CRACKING AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLT HOLES. CHEVY ISSUED A TSB BUT WILL NOT WARRANTY A KNOW DEFECT. IT STRANGE THEY WILL COVER A HVAC BLOWER MOTOR ISSUE THAT IS KNOW BUT NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH HEADS CRACKING WITHOUT ANY FAULT OF THE OWNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494627January 24, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
LEAVING A PARKING LOT, I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AT THE STOP SIGN. THE BRAKES INITIALLY WORKED, THEN THE PEDAL QUICKLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT INTO THE STREET. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING FROM THE LEFT SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I BACKED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND TESTED THE BRAKES. EACH TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE A MINIMAL AMOUNT, BUT THE PEDAL WOULD VERY QUICKLY GO TO THE FLOOR. WITHOUT CONSTANT PUMPING, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE HOOD SEVERELY CORRODED, AND A SIGNIFICANT LEAK FROM A LINE DIRECTLY BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER. MY MECHANIC REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE LINES EXCEPT THE TWO RUNNING TO THE BACK BRAKES. CONTRARY TO WHAT GM ADVERTISES, THIS BRAKELINE RUPTURE RESULTED IN A COMPLETE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. IN OLDER SYSTEMS, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE OPERATED FROM TWO COMPLETELY SEPARATE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEWER BRAKING SYSTEMS USE SOME TYPE OF METERING VALVE BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS EXPECTED. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE, AND I AM FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THREE FACTORS PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT. MY SLOW SPEED, MY ABILITY TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT, THE OTHER DRIVERS ABILITY TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. WITHOUT ALL THREE, A SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493504January 19, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS TRAVELING AT SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WHEN I NOTICED THAT CARS AHEAD OF ME HAD STOPPED. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AS DID A "SERVICE BRAKES" WHERE MY ODOMETER IS. THE BELL INSIDE THE CAB STARTED TO DING. I HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET TOWARD THE CENTERLINE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR HARD AND EVENTUALLY ROLLED TO A STOP. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MY HUSBAND (WHO WAS IN THE TRUCK WITH ME) HAD ME PUMP THE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID POURED DOWN FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I CALLED A TOW COMPANY AND THEY TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WHERE RUSTED AND SOME WERE LEAKING AND OTHERS WOULD SOON BE. THEY SAID ALL THE BRAKES LINES FROM FRONT TO REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY WELL CARED FOR TRUCK. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT HAD BRAKE LINES CORRODE AND I HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN NEW ENGLAND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493462January 18, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 7/7/09, DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN DRIVEWAY, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER BOUNCING OVER CURB. TOOK THE CAR TO JEFF BARNES CHEVROLET AND THEY REPLACED BRAKE LINE THAT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. ON 6/26/12, DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD, BRAKES WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. AGAIN, USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. DROVE TO NEARBY MERCHANTS TIRE AND THEY REPLACED 20 FOOT OF BRAKE LINE AND COUPLINGS THAT HAD RUSTED THROUGH LEAKING ALL BRAKE FLUID. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493337January 17, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE NEAR THE DASHBOARD AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493128January 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR , I HAD MY TRAILER WITH A TRACTOR ON I COULD HAVE WRECKED , I HAD TO GET MY TRUCK TOWED IN AND TO GET 3LINES REPLACED DO TO RUSTY BRAKE LINES LEAKING, I WAS OUT $100 FOR TOWING AND $375 TO REPLACE MY BRAKE LINES, I HAD TO GET MY LINES WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINES SO THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, AS GOOD HAS MY BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHEVY SHOULD HAVE WENT THE EXTRA STEP AND PUT BETTER LINES ON THEIR TRUCKS. PLUS THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT GET PRE FORMED LINES THEY HAD TO CUSTOM BEND THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491003January 4, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
MY FATHERS TRUCKS BRAKE LINES FAILED AND WE HAD NO BRAKES, HAD TO VEER OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THESE LINES SHOULD BE BETTER THEN THIS. MY OLDER 1993 CHEVY SILVERADO NEVER HAD A BRAKE LINE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL PUT ON THESE LINES FOR ALL THE TRUCKS. GM WILL NOT PUT ONE ON TILL SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490856January 3, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH RUSTING BRAKE COMPONENTS SINCE THE CALIPERS RUSTED AND FELL OFF AT 36,000 MILES. NOW MY GARAGE KEPT SILVERADO HAS BRAKE LINES FALLING OFF THAT NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490048December 25, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAD PARKED MY TRUCK AT A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM. UPON RETURNING TO MY TRUCK, I RESTARTED IT, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP IN THE FIELD WHEN IT APPEARED TO HAVE SLID IN THE MUD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. I CONTINUED UP THE HILL AND HAD ROUNDED THE TOP OF THE FARM CONTINUING BACK DOWN A MODERATE SLOPE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT PROVIDED VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND A NOTE IN THE DASH INDICATED TO HAVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICED. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A GMC DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT ALL OF MY BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED OUT AND REPAIRS WOULD COST BETWEEN $1200.00 AND $1300.00. I WILL CONTACT THE DEALER TOMORROW TO SAVE ALL OF THE OLD BRAKE LINES FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489449December 21, 2012
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WE HAD A FLAT ON OUR 2004 SILVERADO TRUCK AND WE WERE UNABLE TO DETACH THE SPARE TIRE TO REPLACE THE FLAT TIRE ON THE TRUCK. IT IS WAY TOO COMPLICATED TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE AND FORTUNATELY FOR US IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE AT WORK IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM SO WE WERE ABLE TO PULL IT INTO OUR HEATED GARAGE TO ATTEMPT THE REPAIR. WE LET IT WARM UP OVERNIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE THE NEXT DAY. EVEN IN A 70 DEGREE HEATED GARAGE IN DRY CONDITIONS WE COULD NOT REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. I THINK THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RURAL COUNTRYSIDE IN WINTER OR RAINY WEATHER IF SOMEONE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. THE PARTS RUST FROM EXPOSURE AND THE MECHANISM TO RELEASE THE TIRE FAILS TO WORK. FROM TALKING TO TWO TIRE DEALERS EACH SAID THAT THEY HAD TO CUT THE WIRES HOLDING THE TIRE IN PLACE WITH A BLOW TORCH TO EVEN REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. I ALSO BELIEVE THERE IS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY THAT YOU HAVE A SPARE TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE IF THERE IS A FLAT TIRE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS EACH TIRE DEALER SAID AND CHEVROLET HAS NEVER ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE. I JUST IMAGINE A 16-18 YEAR OLD YOUNG MAN WHO IS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD STRUGGLING TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED FIGHTING TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. THIS IS 2012 AND THEY CAN'T FIND A BETTER WAY TO SECURE A SPARE TIRE ON A PICK UP? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489501December 21, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKES LINES WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COVERED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 1/23/13 *CN UPDATED 2/12/2013 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489125December 18, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WAS NOTIFIED BY A GM SERVICE CENTER THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE VERY RUSTY AND NEEDED REPLACING.. WHILE REPLACING THE BRAKE LINES, I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING, NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND ALSO THE FUEL SENDER UNIT NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO CORROSION. THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM ON MANY GM TRUCKS. I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THESE REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488932December 16, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 12/14/2012, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO Z71 WHEN I BEGAN TO HIT THE BRAKE TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ENTIRELY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 35 MPH AND TURN INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO NOTICE JUST A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, I WAS TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE KILLED ME OR SOMEONE ELSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. TIME FOR CHEVY TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488832December 14, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486559November 30, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
PREMATURE FAILURE OF BRAKE LINES DUE IMPROPER MANUFACTURE / IMPROPER MATERIALS AND CORROSION. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKING WHATSOEVER. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485273November 20, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN COMING TO A STOP BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485346November 20, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL AWAY IN REVERSE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED AND SLAMMED HER TO THE GROUND, TRAVELING OVER BOTH OF HER LEGS. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A FENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE NERVES AND ARTERIES OF HER LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10485026November 17, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING DOWN RTE 3 NEAR MY HOUSE GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR IN MID AFTERNOON. WHEN I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP. I IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SAFE STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MIDAS SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF NEARLY $1,400. I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT AT EXCESSIVE SPEED OR THAT ANYBODY WAS IN FRONT OF ME AS THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR A FATALITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484912November 16, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH DRIVER STEPPED ON BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE FOR STOP SIGN AND BRAKE LINE BLEW A HOLE OUT RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID DRAINING FROM LINES AND LEAVING TRUCK UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO NO BRAKES. GM DEALERSHIP SAID BRAKES LINES WERE RUSTED AND ROTTED IN VARIOUS PLACES. DEALERSHIP COMMENTED THAT THEY ARE SEEING THIS HAPPEN IN MULTIPLE GM PICK MODELS FROM 1999-2006. DEALERSHIP REPLACED LINES WITH NEW LINES MADE OF ALLOY COMPONENT. GM SHOULD HAVE USED THIS COMPONENT IN THE BRAKE LINE IN THE FIRST PLACE AS THERE ARE MANY DRIVERS OUT THERE NOT KNOWING WHEN THEIR BRAKE LINE COULD BURST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484746November 15, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING MY CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DUALLY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I HAD SO MAKE A SUDDEN EMERGENCY STOP. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VIRTUALLY NO STOPPING POWER FOR THE VEHICLE. I SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND WAS VERY LUCKY. THE TRUCK WENT DIRECTLY TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHICH HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL NEED TO BE CHANGED. I CALLED THE CHEVY SUPPORT NUMBER TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND ASK ABOUT A RECALL. THE REP TOOK THE LAST EIGHT OF MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. I TOW HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH THIS TRUCK FOR WORK, SO IT IS AN ALARMING SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME FOR THE BRAKES TO SUDDENLY NOT WORK WITHOUT WARNING. I AM LUCKY THAT NOBODY GOT KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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