2004 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems

211 complaints (34% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 68,000. 32 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 211
of this car's complaints: 34%
typical mileage: 68,000
crashes: 32
recalls: 3

Which part fails

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
27
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
6
Foundation components: disc: rotor
4
Power assist
3
Foundation components: disc: pads
3
Pedals and linkages
2
Foundation components: master cylinder
2
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light
2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Brake failure 65 ABS 17 Spongy pedal 6

Related recalls

Parking brakeReported April 22, 2005 · 90,242 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 05V161000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulicReported February 8, 2005 · 77,411 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.

Recall number 05V043000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulicReported February 4, 2004 · 68,875 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Remedy: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463; or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.

Recall number 04V045000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Hydraulic pump failresOpened April 30, 2004, closed February 28, 2005

Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.

EA04012

What 2004 Chevrolet Silverado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 18, 2016 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · MO

Brake failure today on chevy siverado. Driving 55 MPH on highway. The car ahead of me slowed and I braked. Peddle went to the floor without stopping vehical. Was able to come to stop and could see rusted brake lines by driver door. Had wife press brake peddle to see fluid sraying from rusted area. Had zero braking power when first went out

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Brakes · 97,000 miles · VA

Rear brake line blew when trying to apply brakes. No indicator lights or anything pedal just went straight to the floor. Had to swerve off the road into an embankment to avoid a collision at a red light! Mechanic said that all my brake lines were rusted and it was just a matter of time before another one was to fail.

Filed Jan 28, 2016 · Brakes · 113,000 miles · KY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brakes suddenly failed and the driver lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch. The contact indicated that when depressing the brake pedal, it extended to the floorboard. The independent mechanic examined the vehicle and discovered that brake lines had rusted. The contact also discovered that the frame, the rocker panels and the tailgate hinges had also rusted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jan 2, 2016 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · NY

I was driving on rt.7 in schenectady ny, speed was around 35mph, traffic signal changed to red, as I was appling the brakes the peddal suddenly went to the floor, lucky for me there were no cars in front of me, or in the intersection. My truck did envetually stop, but it was after passing thru the intersection. The red light on the dash did not come on till the brakes failed. Further inspection revealed main brake line to the rear wheels blew due to rust.

Filed Oct 12, 2015 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · WI

Brakes failed suddenly due to severely corroded brake lines. Brake pedal was slightly mushy at stop sign coming off of freeway. At the next stop sign (3-way intersection on 55-MPH county highway) the pedal went right to the floor. Fortunately there was nobody in the intersection or a serious accident may have occurred. Apparently gm's position is that brake lines are maintenance item, and this is normal wear and tear, which is ridiculous. I've owned older vehicles (including a nearly 50-year old chevrolet truck) in snow country and have never seen brake lines this rusty. I am very fortunate the rupture did not occur in an emergency braking situation.

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · IL · crash

While exiting of a highway and traveling 25 MPH my brakes completely failed. I pushed the pedal to the floor several times but it did not slow the truck. As a result I rear ended a vehicle in front of me. I had now warning or check light for the brakes previous or since. Upon inspection I discovered corroded and leaking brake lines in the middle section of my truck.

Filed Oct 2, 2015 · Brakes · 54,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The brake fluid warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred on two other occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake line was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Body, Brakes · 108,000 miles · KY

I was driving along and had to hit the brakes immediately. I almost hit the car in front of me. I noticed I had to start putting the brakes all the way to the floor in order to stop, especially on an incline. The brake light went on and off a few times so I took it to a shop to have it looked at. They told me that my brake line blew and all the other brake lines are rusted and the truck is not safe to drive. This truck is only 11 years old, that is absolutely unacceptable that all the brake lines are rusted. The truck only has 108k miles. I called a local chevy dealership and they quoted me 3k+ to fix it. It involved at least 20 hours of labor and they needed to lift the frame off to fix. I can not believe their are no recalls from gm or atleast them offering any help to pay for this. The dealer did not offer me any help or remedy to the situation, just wanted me to fork up 3k.

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Brakes · 54,527 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed and extended to the floorboard. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and was able to stop the vehicle. The contact then placed the vehicle in park, depressed the brake pedal once more and the brake pedal went to the floorboard and the brake warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspection, the brake lines underneath of the vehicle were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,527.

Filed Aug 2, 2015 · Brakes · 65,500 miles · WV

My brother inlaw owns a 2003 gmc sierra and experienced total brake failure due to corroded brake lines in 2009. Upon inspecting my brake lines on my 2004 silverado I observed the the brake lines were corroded and would have to be replaced before they failed as well. My truck was only 5 years old at the time! After much discussion with the dealership where I purchased this vehicle I determined that they would not stand behind their product and had to pay out of pocket for the repairs. I still have the corroded brake lines, receipt and pictures of lines on truck before replacement. Keeping all evidence in case of recall. By the way, my exhaust system looks like brand new. Why didn't they use the same material for the brake lines? I don't expect anything to be done about this until cnn starts running stories about people getting killed by this problem!

Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado brakes

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 211 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, 34% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 68,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado brakes?

Yes, 3 recalls: 05V161000, 05V043000, 04V045000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Silverado have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Silverado model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (1,003 complaints), 2000 (607 complaints) and 2001 (418 complaints).