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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)
2004 Chevrolet Silverado accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2004 Chevrolet Silverado Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Jan 052010

Silverado K1500 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My family has been chevy buyers and nothing more, but after the instrument cluster has gone out or at least not even reading right, we are all going Ford!!! I went in to have my cluster looked at and they told me that it was going to cost about 600 bucks to fix it, so I asked my cousin, that works for cadillac, what was up. He replied that there is a safety bulletin out that it could be fixed at dealers cost if under 70,000 miles. Well, I'm at 73,000 so I tried again and the dealership of had no recollection of this bulletin. So I went and had it printed out and they still would not fix it, so I'm selling the truck and never buying a GM product and suggest you all do the same. I'm not saying that I'm going to get any better service from Ford, but after this it can't be any worse. Plus the whole laying-off, borrowing money, and then filling bankruptcy was not the best way to handle that.

- brewownbeer, Cardington, OH, US

problem #18

Feb 152010

Silverado LS 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,500 miles

I never received a recall notice but am reading and hearing more and more about this kind of problem. The oil gauge is completely shot and the speedometer takes an occasional crap. I had a heater fan problem but that was replaced with no problem. However, this is continually getting worse.

- sfcjimbo4990, Lebanon, PA, US

problem #17

Mar 022009

Silverado LS 5.1L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I never received a recall or notice that GM was having such a problem. All of a sudden the instrument panel went wacko, no speedometer, none of the gauges work. I've taken it to a GM dealership and they want over $400 to fix it. GM should pay for it. Like another complaint read, is this how GM expects to get returning and new customers, by selling crap. I'm finished with GM products!!!!

- jerryw, Stem, NC, US

problem #16

Mar 012007

Silverado 2500 Duramax

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Same problems. Speedometer went, initially fluctuating between accurate and off the wall readings, then went out all together. Brought it to the dealer's attention during routine maintenance, while it was still in the "fluctuating" phase. The service tech "took a look at it", while he was performing the oil change or whatever it was we were having done. He commented that he didn't notice a problem. (Who knew he should've documented the concern??) Several tens of thousands of miles later (coincidentally, over the mileage Chevy is now covering replacements for) the thing went out all together. By this time, the dealership was a victim of the failing economy and was completely out of business! I contacted Chevy twice, informing them that I was aware of the widespread problem. I got the same SCRIPTED apology with both calls, and the same "We understand, but there is nothing we can do since the truck exceeds the allowed mileage for the replacement." DUH! It DIDN'T exceed the mileage when it was initially reported! I bypassed the issue thus far by purchasing a GPS which shows the speed. All I can say is "Shame on you, Chevy." We have always purchased American made cars, as my husband is a Union worker. His preference has always been GM/Chevy. In today's economy, you would think they would value loyal customers. If a class action lawsuit would arise, I would certainly be on board. And Chevy/General Motors needs to remember, there are other American manufacturers out there. One of my other vehicles happens to be a Jeep...

- Lisa S., Creston, OH, US

problem #15

Jan 022010

Silverado LS 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,103 miles

My tachometer has been giving false readings for about a week or two now and after searching for a fix to this problem I came across that Chevy has offered a certain "special" recall due to numerous faulty gauge clusters. After calling the help desk I found out that with my truck mileage that this "special" recall will pay for the parts but not the labor which will cost about 200 dollars according to my local dealer. Which brings me to my questions. Why as an original owner was I not advised of this recall? Why must I the consumer pay for the labor which keep in mind must be performed by a GM certified mechanic at a GM certified dealer due to a part of my truck that i bought brand new and has been declared faulty by your company? If the piece is faulty and the company is admitting that they installed faulty equipment, why do the consumers have to pay them extra money for them to fix their mistake that they made originally by installing faulty equipment gauge clusters? Is this the way GM hopes to keep customer buying GM and not the other guys, by making the customer pay for their mistakes that they seem to try to hide by not sending notifications out to owners informing them of recalls? Let me know if anyone actually received this notice that went out apparently around 2007 in November. Thanks

- Michael O., Sikeston, MO, US

problem #14

Oct 222009

Silverado 1500 5.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

I have a 2004 Chevy Silverado.I only had 59,000 miles on it when the speedometer quit working correctly.I was retuning from a trip out of state and was on the highway passing everyone.My wife said to slow down but I told her I was doing the speed limit{or I thought I was}.Then about 15 minutes later the speedometer said I was only going 30 miles a hour and I must have been doing 60-75. I slowed down a bit because I didn't know how fast I was going and did not want to get a ticket OR cause an accident.Later we stopped for gas and when I got back on the highway it would not show any speed at all.I had 800 more miles to get home and could not tell how fast I was going,On the way home it would register anywheres from 70,25,or nothing at all.After getting home I called the Chevy dealer and was told they could not do anything because it was out of warranty.I explained that I only had 59,000 miles but they did not give a damn about my problem.{ I have bought my last 5 vehicles from this Chevy dealership!!}I did not have,and still don't as of today,the extra 500-6000 they want to fix it.AND,...I shouldn't have too.Have you every heard of a speedometer going out so soon????

Someone told me they thought Chevrolet was having a recall on this issue so I searched but I cannot find one.I came across this on the web and discovered I am not the only one with this serious issue.I feel that Chevrolet should fix this problem because it quite apparent that their 2004 Silverado has a recall problem.Makes you wonder how many other 2004 owners have just simply PAID to get their's repaired by the dealer.

Everyone should write a report on this site,and any other one that may exist,and maybe Chevy will do the right thing and issue a recall.If not,I not going to say I will quit buying Chevy trucks,I have owned them since I have been driving in high school and I am 54 years old.I AM saying to them,do the right thing and fix YOUR problem.

Thanks to your Website for allowing us to post our complaints!!

Sincerely,JG.

- James G., Waco, TX, US

problem #13

Nov 252009

Silverado LS 6.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2004 2500 has 120000 miles on it now and the clyster has to be replaced. Started with temp gauge. now temp. trans temp and Tachometer. GM recall will not cover it. Bunch of BS

- Steve R., Okc, OK, US

problem #12

Nov 282008

Silverado 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,556 miles

When the instrument cluster goes out in your vehicle that you are paying a large sum of money for, the autogroup you bought it from should fix the problem no matter how many miles are on the vehicle. This problem obviously was know well in advance of any recall notice being sent, and just to stay on this side of the law, GM sent out notices saying they would fix only if not over 70,000 miles; knowing most had already gone over that by then.

The total disregard, dishonesty, and disrespect of GM to it's faithful customers is very disheartening, and I will say that I, for one, even though I love my Chevy truck, will not be buying GM products again unless they fix the problems with their products. I will also tell anyone who listens not to buy their products as well, since the service they give their customers is very much lacking. I am going to try to find an attorney to see if something can be done. I wonder if GM thought they might get sued if an accident happened in one of their falty vehicles??? Out of all my instrument panel, only the temp gauge works. I don't have a speedometer, a fuel gauge, tach, or battery....they are all maxed out on one side or other of the gauge.

- llaisney, Milton, FL, US

problem #11

Nov 162009

Silverado LX V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

We had the instrument panel cluster on our 2004 Tahoe go out just at 70,000 miles and Chevy fixed it under warranty. At that time my husband told them we also have a 2004 Silverado, and asked if it will have the same problem, and can we just get the part replaced now rather than waiting for it to break. He was told it is a problem in the trucks also, but they would not fix it till it broke. He then asked if it was over 70,000K before it broke would they still fix it and the answer was no. Now at 80,000 the cluster is not working, the warranty has been extended to 78,000. But they will still not cover ours. This is beyond crazy. We used to buy fleets of trucks from Chevy, and up till now bought ALL our vehicles from them. They are willing to loose loyal customers over a $400 part INSANE! Especially given the current state of their company? CRAZY! So how do you get a class action suit started?

- hobby, Turlock, CA, US

problem #10

Nov 232009

Silverado 2500 4.8L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I own an excavating business and have 5 Chevy Pickups. Four of them are '04's and 2 of those are 2500HD's. The other one is an '03 2500. All the 2500's had the problem with the instrument panel messing up, namely the speedometer gauge. When the '03 started messing up, we took it in to our local service garage and they replaced it, cost $600! Now the other two are messing up, and the one is past the warranty extension by about 10k miles, and the other has around 45k miles. Hopefully GM will stand good and fix their problem. They need to fix the problem regardless of mileage! Come on guys, step up to the plate and fix your mistakes!

- rogguy, Fleetwood,, PA, US

problem #9

Oct 012009

Silverado LS 6.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Same problem here as everyone else, but mine is two-fold. I have a 04 Silverado and the speed-o and oil pressure gauge are both faulty. The oil pressure reads 0 and the speedometer is pegged out.

My wife has an 04 Chevy Trailblazer and her speedometer has been stuck at zero for the past 2 years. She bought a TomTom GPS to show her correct speed and I just guesstimate with my silverado. Thats a hell of alot cheaper than having them fixed at OUR expense.

GM will not fix either because we are past 70,000 miles. HOW CONVENIENT ! ! !

I usually drive my 84 Scottsdale 3/4 4x4 anyways because it is more dependable than my 04. Guess that is because they cared about how to make a good vehicle back then !!

- Chad S., Rio Vista, TX, US

problem #8

Sep 202009

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Speedometer has stopped working numerous times in the last 6 months. Will read high, low or not at all. Then start working again. I see there is a big problem with this. Hubby's friend thinks it may be a module and not the instrument cluster that needs to be replaced. Anyone ever had this as a fix?

- mojocat27, Knoxville, IA, US

problem #7

Jun 162009

Silverado 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I also had a speedometer problem in my 2004 Chevrolet Silverado

the speedometer was not working at all and I found a website where I had it fixed. They charged me $140 to replace all the 7 motors inside the cluster That was a lot cheaper than the $700 that the dealer wanted to replace the instrument panel.

Here is the website

in case you want to check it out: http://www.speedometergaugerepair.com

- chevyp2p, San Mateo, CA, US

problem #6

Jun 162009

Silverado 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I also had a speedometer problem in my 2004 Chevrolet Silverado

the speedometer was not working at all and I found a website where I had it fixed for $140. That was a lot cheaper than the $700 that the dealer wanted to replace the instrument panel.

Here is the website

in case you want to check it out: http://www.speedometergaugerepair.com

- chevyp2p, San Mateo, CA, US

problem #5

Nov 052008

Silverado LX 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,245 miles

The cluster went out, then worked ,then finally died. After it died GM sent a letter out saying the clusters would do that, but the repairs would be on you if it was over 75,000 miles. What a crock of BS!!!!! The clusters should be replaced at GM's expense no matter what the mileage is and THEY KNOW IT!!!!! I really like the ride and the styling of it, BUT I'LL BUY A NISSAN TITAN BEFORE I BUY ANOTHER GM ANYTHING!!!! I'll send a letter to congress also and ask them to send me my part of GM'S bailout money they don't deserve squat!!!!!

- Alan H., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #4

Mar 022009

Silverado LT 6.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

speedometer stopped working @ 78000 miles, never had a car do that and its not a covered item with GM

- Bill G., Seminole, FL, US

problem #3

Apr 152009

Silverado LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

Here we go again. The instrument cluster in my truck has quit working again. The first time it quit in January and I contacted the dealership where I purchased the truck from and didn't get any help. As a matter of fact, I think I was lied to by someone in the service department about a recall on this part. Fortunately the instrument cluster just started working again, until today. Here we are almost 4 months later to the day and I'm on the way to work, riding down the highway, and it just quits working. I still believe that the manufacturer should replace a part of such importance if the vehicle shows no signs of neglect. Maybe a third party arbitration should determine if you have abused the vehicle in a manner to harm the defective part. I don't know what to do but I know this sucks!!!!!!!

- cbell, Ethelsville, AL, US

problem #2

Mar 022009

Silverado LS 6.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Instrument panel gone screwy, speedo, tach, volt and gas gauge. My mechanic said it would cost $500 for the part. I called GM Canada and went off saying if this is what to expect from a 40 - 50 grand GM product that's 5 years old then I had purchased my last.

Customer service said call local dealership and they may help me out as there have been "a few issues" with the instrument cluster. I asked if there was a recall and was told no they were "just helping people out" ( B$#^%T). Anyway the part is on order, replaced at GM cost even though I'm out of warranty. So maybe others can Call GM freak out a little and get theirs fixed on GM ( who should fix it period, no questions, in my opinion ). The North American Auto industry is paying for their own misgivings right now, quality control sacrificed for maximizing profits for shareholders ( as with many other sectors unfortunately ). I would not give them one red cent of bail out money without the head honchos responsible for this being canned and new management installed and "held accountable" to the lenders, us the taxpayers!! Where will this end!! I'm getting a headache, good luck to those with this problem, I hope my experience will help. Just got a call from the dealership, the part is in and they want the truck tomorrow, and they asked if I had called customer service at GM Canada this morning as they had just called the dealership and asked why my problem wasn't taken care of yet. Maybe they're going to get their act together after all.

- Dave H., New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada

problem #1

Oct 012008

Silverado 1500 6cl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

I have had my Silverado since 2004, and have had virtually no problems. Late last year, say around October 2008 I started off with the Oil Gauge not working correctly. At first I thought it was due to the recent Oil Change that I had a week earlier. Took it back to shop, and they stated gauge was faulty and would cost about $380 to fix. I said no, and went on about town. Then in Dec. 2008 my fuel gauge is now acting up as well. Not keeping same reading during the day. Sometimes well past full to Gas Icon, or well past empty. Now over the past week (1-15-09) my RPM gauge is reading virtually zero. So after some internet research, I have discovered that GM apparently has a 7/70000 warranty on the cluster and will pursue getting it fixed.

- wranglefur, Tampa, FL, US

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