7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$220
Average Mileage:
84,400 miles
Total Complaints:
39 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (18 reports)
  2. fix / replace instrument cluster (15 reports)
  3. GM fixed at their expense (4 reports)
  4. speedometergaugerepair.com (2 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #39

Oct 012012

Silverado 4.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

The battery meter in the instrument cluster does not work. It makes me question the reliability of the other gauges.

- tmyersla, Baton Rouge, LA, US

problem #38

Apr 022013

Silverado Work 4x4 4.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Chevy informed us to fix the problem ourselves. They said the free repair ended in 2010. Not my fault that it happens this year. Its still the same problem they had all those years ago. We bought the truck brand new so we should of been informed of the problem. We'll never buy another chevy again.

- housework101, Ambridge, PA, US

problem #37

Nov 102011

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CLUSTR PANEL IS NOT WORKIN RIGHT.THE RPM WORKS PART OF THE TIME,THE ALT SHOWS WAY OVER CHARGING,THE OIL PRESSURE IS ALL THE WAY OVER PAST 80.THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 18000 MILES ON IT THE DEALER SAID IT COST OVER $400.00 TO FIX THE CLUSTER,THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IN JULY OF 20011 OR 70000 MILES I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM.

- Bill F., Sand Springs, Okla., US

problem #36

Dec 242011

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

I have had this truck less than 2 years. It started out about a month after i bought it after a storm with the gauges not working. Then as I would drive they would come back on. This would occur maybe 2-3 times a month. Then it got worse and wouldn't work for 2-3 days at a time. This time it has stopped completely. It is a pain in the ass cause no gauges work. No fuel gauge, no oil pressure gauge, no speedometer, no battery and no RPM gauge. I used to drive a dodge but got a great deal on the truck so i bought it and now i know why I will never buy another chevy in my life. It is a shame that they don't admit their mistakes and fix this problem for the hundreds of thousands of chevy drivers out there. I took the truck when it first started happening around 100000 miles and they said it wasn't covered. then they also have the heating cooling issue with the thermostats. chevy and the GM higher authorities should tuck their tail and throw in the towel if that is all the balls they have is to say well we will cover it up to 70000 miles but after that your on your own. well I got something to say to that YOU ALL CAN GO SCREW YOURSELVES...... Dodge for life and now I know why!!!

- marshallky, Girdler, KY, US

problem #35

May 142009

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

spedo At stop Reads from 35 -130 tried to get Chevrolet of Wasilla to replaces inst panel .Was told No did not have my paper work from Chevrolet Chevrolet of Wasilla ( aka Litia of Alaska )

- northpolak, Wasilla, AK, US

problem #34

Feb 172011

Silverado SS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,070 miles

it was a real pain in the ass as i had to depend on my gps to find out how fast i was going. when i bought the vehicle i was told that i bought a bumper to bumper warranty with a $100 deductable as it turned out it was a power train warranty not worth the paper it was written on. I ended up replacing the cluster for $580.

- bgiles, Mingo Jct, OH, US

problem #33

Mar 072011

Silverado V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,887 miles

Gm refused to pay for repairs becuase I was 887 out of warrenty. Very dangerous not having your gages working. I have had to many problems to mention

- kbaskall, Central Square, NY, US

problem #32

Mar 152011

Silverado 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,245 miles

I had an instrumant panel go out, was told it had to be fixed. because it was over 80,000 miles I would have to pay for it all. that is a bunch of bull, I have had the truck for 1 year. I am really ticked off about it. this is a 2004 siverado.

- Pam R., Trumann, AR, US

problem #31

Jul 312008

Silverado 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Instrument gauges stopped working. Contacted GM as I learned from the internet that there was a recall for that item (never got a notice). At 60k I tried to get the item covered but they were not helpful. (this is 2 of 2 very costly problems with this truck that happened just outside of warranty - truck was not abused and the transmission problem began at 60k miles and the instrument issue started around 45k).

- Brian B., Little Rock, AR, US

problem #30

Feb 272011

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,700 miles

I just want help with this pos I just got 4 days ago I am going to dealer for answers as well

- Bryan E., Prince George, BC, Canada

problem #29

Oct 142009

Silverado 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I have an '04 Z71 and initially it was only my fuel gauge acting up, showing excess amounts of fuel before wrapping around and pointing straight down. Then one day on start-up it just popped to dead empty where it now stays. It wasn't long after that my speedometer began displaying faulty readings...85 while I'm cruising a school zone or 120 while parked in the driveway, which is its current position. My oil pressure is also on the fritz. I use my gps to determine my speed and just wait for the low fuel light to come on as my remedy for the past year or so. The dealership has been nothing but a source of frustration and a waste of my time. I love my truck but I have to agree with everyone else that it GM is sucking pretty hard by not fixing this widespread issue. I am considering the speedo repair site mentioned by other members.

- jeremyh.tx, Angleton, TX, US

problem #28

Mar 102011

Silverado LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

My Dad bought a used 2004 Silverado & the gauge cluster just died took it to the dealer & they took it out & tested it & said it needed replacing funny thing was when they put it back in it started working again. When he bought it the oil pressure gauge was acting up he thought it was just a sending unit no biggie but then the gauge cluster goes out. The truck has 82,000 miles on it & GM says they wont cover it because its past the 70,000miles for the recall this is a crock its there problem they need to fix it I feel its a safety issue when you have no gauges & no speedo NHSTA needs to step in & force them to fix the issue

- Shawn O., Hurley, SD, US

problem #27

Apr 032011

Silverado HD 6.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Have always had an annoying noise coming from the instrument panel. Now went out to start it a couple days ago to let it warm up, came back in and the cab was filling up with smoke. Turned off, disconnected battery, tore the dash apart and major wire burn smell coming from the instrument panel. Called the dealer, and amazing enough the warranty on that particular item just expired in January. They told us to call GM. GM said bring it to a dealer and they will run a diagnostic test, and see if they would possibly help with the cost of getting it fixed! This is the second major problem we have had with this truck, The first one was the front hubs went out at 50,000 miles and ended up costing 1200.00. GM needs to step up to the plate. Will keep posted on how they handle this situation.

- Brenda G., Walton, OR, US

problem #26

May 052007

Silverado 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THE 2003 AVALANCHE, AND 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO WAS FAULTY. THIS WAS NOT A RECALL. THE FACT THAT MY GAUGES HAD BEEN GOING OUT OR ACTING UP ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS WOULD HAVE PUT ME UNDER THE 70,000 MILES THAT WERE THE PARAMETERS UNDER WHICH CHEVY WOULD EVEN CONSIDER THIS. FORGET THE FACT I HAD SEPARATE DOCUMENTATION FOR EACH GAUGE THAT WAS SEPARATELY GOING OUT, WITH A SEPARATE EVALUATION. CHEVY COULD HAVE CARED LESS, AND INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT, BLAH BLAH BLAH. I CONTACTED SEVERAL CHEVY DEALERSHIPS ABOUT MY 2004 SILVERADO, AND EACH ONE OF THOSE WONDERFULLY HONEST PLACES QUOTED ME 600.00 APPRX. BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE GAS GAUGE WERE STILL WORKING UNTIL RECENTLY, I JUST DROVE IT THE WAY IT WAS. I HAVE AN HONEST MECHANIC WHO DOESN'T NEED TO MAKE HIS LIVING IN ONE DAY, AND ON ONE PERSON, HE CHARGED ME 250.00 AND THAT INCLUDED MY OIL CHANGE. HMMM!! DID THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS? OF COURSE THEY DID. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, OR AT BEST FIXED!! SHAME ON YOU GUYS, WE BUY AMERICAN, I LOVE MY TRUCK I JUST HAVE A STRONG DISLIKE FOR ALL THAT I WENT THROUGH THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. THIS WAS NOT SELF INFLICTED, OR YEARS OF WEAR, THIS WAS YOURS ALL YOURS

- teenaaz, Vail, AZ, US

problem #25

Feb 022011

Silverado HD2500 6.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,125 miles

My 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD has an appetite for the instrument clusters. Back in 2009 I had to pay for the replacement of the instrument cluster. Now, it is failing again, Number 3 cluster. The dealer stated the cluster is bad and needs replacing. The driver information center (DIC) under the gauges goes out. All other indicators/gauges function properly. If I tap on the plastic bezel, the DIC will come back on. Driving on washboards or rough surfaces the DIC will go blank, tap on the bezel, it will come back on. Maybe momentarily maybe not at all. Now, on 03/21/2011 the dealer states that for ($292 part, 145 labor and synch,- over) $400 they will replace it. How crappy is that? They know they have an electronic defect, maybe not a safety problem, maybe so. If the instrument appliance is bad, you think your have oil pressure or going 45MPH when in reality you have no oil, or going 55MPH, you loose your engine or get a ticket. With any scenario you think, there is a problem. Come on folks, get the computer out of your crack and fix the problems. We pay big money for these vehicles, and they have a known problem and you will not fix them? This is #3 for me, is this a lemon?

- merithew, Jackson, NE, US

problem #24

Jan 302011

Silverado LS 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

Came out of the house to start my truck on a cool Sunday morning and I noticed the electric display under the gauges cluster was a solid blue block and none of the gauges worked. Called my local dealer and barley made the cut off for the Recall on the GM extended warranty by 7 days. So if anyone else has this problem get it in to the dealer before the 6 of February or you will be paying out of pocket. GM covered 03 to 05 silverados for this issue.

- Peter R., Oak Harbor, WA, US

problem #23

Jan 102011

Silverado Z71 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 250,000 miles

I have a 04 Silverado Z71 the cluster panel is not working right there is a recall on it but I have 250 thou mile on it so I will have to pay $500 out of my pocket to have a recall fixed.I thought a recall was supposed to be fixed by mfg but I see I was wrong.A recall is a recall no matter the mileage.My next truck will be a Toyota at least they fix recalls!!!!

- silveradoeredms, Stonewall, MS, US

problem #22

Oct 262010

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

needless to say i have the same problem as 250000 other people but what the hell im going to the dealership and they willl fix the issue or they can forget about me and my large chevy family ever consider buying a gm. i bought my truck in sept 2010 with 96 some odd thousand miles and right around 98k the oil gauge, speed o and the the tach have been acting up im not so worried about the oil and the tach because i know the cluster is just joking with me but the speedometer has already gotten me a ticket showing im doing 68 when the statey clocked me at 84. my suggestion Chevy is give your people a break before your people break you...

thank you

- Ryan C., Nashua, NH, US

problem #21

Apr 012009

Silverado 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

My 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500 speedometer also sticks a various speeds. From what I can see it's a common problem. You can add me to the list. I'm over 80,000 miles at this time. I guess I'm on my own.

- tinker1, Lynn, MA, US

problem #20

Jul 162007

Silverado 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

Due To the fact the vehicle was bought used and with 71,000 miles I had no knowledge untill my 2004 Tahoe started doing the same thing, but only had about 33,000 miles. Of course it was covered.I Asked what about my truck is it covered to, the reply was how much milage do you have about 75,000. Oh no it is only up to 70,000 miles.

I don't think it's right, especially something that they know is common. Not a recall but a warranty issue. At the time they wanted $500 dollars. I don't think so. So for three years I have delt with it. Really sucks, only gas gauge works, thank god.

- Eduardo H., Tucson, AZ, US

Read the next 19 complaints »