The Chevrolet The Silverado series is one of the most successful pickups ever done After 39 years of producing the Chevrolet C\K, the company gave the crown to a younger brother; this was the Chevrolet Silverado that was introduced in 1999.
Having sold more than 12 million units, the Silverado is one of the best-selling cars in the United States. This kind of success is not without reason either; it is a very reliable pickup and offers its users many features. It even goes toe-to-toe with beasts like Ford’s F-series.
But checking out the 2004 pickup truck model, you’ll doubt whether it’s really a Silverado or not. The vehicle has tons of complaints and an alarming number of recalls. Let’s put the truck under a magnifying glass to see what’s going on.
The 2004 Chevrolet Silverado has over 1,800 NHTSA complaints
Silverados have always been labeled as reliable trucks. When you buy one, don’t expect maintenance and repair costs to drain your pocket. However, this particular model of the Chevrolet Silverado does just that. When looking to buy a used Silverado, there are a few tips you should know, and our tip for this one is to avoid buying it altogether! Checking the NHTSA website, we are immediately surprised with 1836 registered complaints.
Some of the trims on this Chevy truck can hit 60 mph from idle in less than 6.5 seconds. That’s a considerable rate of acceleration for a truck, especially one from 2004. Additionally, the Silverado’s 6L V8 engine is capable of 345 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. So with such a powerful truck, we definitely don’t want any braking issues. The 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, however, has more than 150 user complaints on the CarComplaints website, with 36 concerning brake failure, which is concerning.
Most of the complaints are about rusted brake lines. One CarCompaints user commented: “Thursday I took a closed trailer to the fairgrounds that we use as a supply trailer. I went to hook up Sunday evening and while lined up I lost my brakes again due to the lines rusted for the second time in three months. the tow and repair bill was $140. the truck had to be towed twice because the first brake shop said they would not tie the lift to replace the lines for the repairs”.
Another frequently mentioned problem with the vehicle is airbag failures, from not deploying at the time of an accident to deploying when parked and only cold A user has claimed that his truck’s airbags suddenly deployed while he was pouring oil into the oil tank, and the steering wheel hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground and causing cuts and bruises all over. body
Chevrolet recalled the 2004 Silverado 17 times
Seventeen recalls is a high number to see when buying a used car. After seeing this, a wise driver becomes alarmed within seconds and looks for other options. According to the NHTSA website, the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado was recalled three times for brake failures from 2004 to 2005.
The largest of the three was a major recall on April 22, 2005, in which more than 90,000 vehicles were recalled due to a parking brake system failure. Fourteen products were affected in this major recall, including the truck you are reading about. The problem was described as the parking brake not stopping, causing the vehicle to move involuntarily, which could lead to car accidents.
Another required car recall occurred in October 2006. This time 38,439 vehicles from 17 different products were recalled due to a fuel rail damper failure. The recalled vehicles had a loose shock absorber that could cause a fuel leak that could lead to a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The affordable 2009 Silverado offers greater reliability
Chevy Silverado trucks are the highest rated in America, making them a true Yankee icon. However, this particular version can tarnish the reputation of the entire board. There are many reported complaints and recalls, which is a warning to consider other options. Although, we must remember that Chevy improved its beloved truck in later generations.
Silverados can be found on the market for between $6,000 and $8,000. This is not much cheaper than the second generation models of the vehicle which are considerably more efficient for the driver and the budget.
If you’re planning to buy a used Silverado instead of a 2004 model, we recommend a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado. Checking car problem websites like NHTSA and Car Complaints shows far fewer complaints and recalls compared to the 2009 model year. 2004. This truck is also not expensive compared to its 2004 model; in fact, a 2009 model can be had for under $9,000 on the market.
