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8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,190
Average Mileage:
55,950 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (10 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. replace transmission pump bushing (1 reports)
2004 Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems

transmission problem

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2004 Chevrolet Silverado Owner Comments

problem #15

Oct 122011

Silverado 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,700 miles

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

What was so aggravating about the whole thing was that I had reported the problem to local Chevy house and the truck would not act up. It lasted another 1000 miles and went down hill from there.. My main trouble was I had extended warranty to 100000 miles... I was 700 miles over... I had to buy a Transmission.

- Richard M., COMANCHE, TX, US

problem #14

Apr 092012

Silverado Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,212 miles

I pulled out of a parking lot onto a main avenue and just as my truck went to shift into second gear.... BAM! Exactly that with no warning. Never put any stress on the truck such as plowing, hauling or towing. I rolled down the hill on the avenue to the red light and got in the left hand lane because I knew I could get to a safe place to pull the truck over again. The light turned green and the truck wouldn't barely move because it was slipping so bad. I was damn near rear ended by a car which I'm sure the driver thought I was going to fly around the turn since it was rush hour. Then on top of that I nearly had a head on crash trying to make the turn because the truck slipped so badly. I finally found 2nd gear would move the truck forward, so I limped it to an Autozone and checked the transmission fluid. Bright red and full. I was in shock by this time because the truck only has 54k miles!

I then limped it across the street to Aramco and left it there for the night since they were already closed. By morning I went to Aramco and they did a diagnostic on the transmission and they reported a gear broke. Apparently this is common in the 4L60 transmissions they put in several model trucks made by GM including the Corvette. They then told me they would put in an aftermarket sprag gear since they were stronger than the one GM puts in. They had to totally rebuild the tranny with everything new since they found metal scraps everywhere.

My faith in my beloved Silverado Z71 was shattered and GM just the same. $1600 fixed my truck and left my wallet smoking. Aramco assured me when they rebuilt the transmission that it was more beefed up than before. That made me feel a bit better about the cost but not much.

SHAME ON YOU GENERAL MOTORS!

- m ripped, Cedar Rapids, IA, US

problem #13

Sep 012011

Silverado ES 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

My truck shakes when it shifts between first and second gear, both going up, and coming down. It slips and shakes around 40-45 mph. I haven't had it looked at yet, but I am sure I will have to address the problem. Any suggestions? I would like to contact somebody at GM to see if there is anything they can do to help with the cost.

- Joel H., Kettering, OH, US

problem #12

Apr 142010

Silverado Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

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

My transmission started to slip in third gear on the way home from work on Tuesday so i parked it when I finally got home. Wasn't sure I was going to make it.!! Thursday it was taken to two local well known transmission repair shops.

Both places said the same, transmission is blown. One of them showed a cutaway tranny and said that GM cast the transmission in a way that the gear pan doesn't allow proper lubrication to the 3rd and 4th gears. Because of that the gear teeth strip off.

I contacted GM and asked what they could do about and of course I'm out of warranty and the 100,000 mile warranty on drivetrain didn't come in til 2006. They must have changed the tranny by then but I'm not sure.

She told me that I need to take it to a GM dealership first before they could even look into it. So I took it to the dealer and they said the same thing the next day. I also know that they didn't have to take the tranny apart to know what was wrong so that tells me they knew right away what happened.

Dealership told me 2200.00 to rebuild but they can't guarantee that it won't happen again. Or I can replace it with a new tranny for 3300.00. Well if they can't warrant it then you know its got to be defective.

GM knows that the trannys are defective but they of course are trying to get away from a recall. Now I have to wait for 4 days while they look into it. I told her that they don't need to look into it the problem is listed all over the net.

I understand that I have 85,000 miles on it but with todays vehicles that not alot. I was expecting to drive this truck at least another 3 to 4 years with normal up keep. Well all I can do at this point is wait to see what they say on Thursday. I know that I am not just going to say ok and shell out my hard earned cash without a fight.

- rhone, Williamsport, PA, US

problem #11

Dec 092009

Silverado Z71 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,662 miles

Bought this 2004 in Dec 2007. The Transmission was clunking when shifting right away and the dealership found nothing wrong. At 88,500 the transmission was shot and had to be replaced. Of course we were 7 months out of the extended warranty we purchased. NOT HAPPY!! Disappointed to say the least.

- Ed A., Franklin, NC, US

problem #10

Jan 192006

Silverado LS 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

3 times this trans was replaced once under standard warranty then under extended warranty,then out of pocket. now once again trans went again and I refuse to put another in this junk,it sits in field thinking of turning it into a planter

- William B., St Marys, PA, US

problem #9

Jan 112010

Silverado EXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,450 miles

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

transmission failure after only 70,000 miles is a manufacturing problem not normal wear problem and should be the responsibility of General Motors. I now understand why they needed a bailout and although I would like to buy American the value and reliability are just not there sorry America.

- Jack C., Rialto, CA, US

problem #8

Oct 312008

Silverado 1500 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

I've owned a Silverado pickup for over 20 years, drove my first one almost 200k with no major issues. Te 2004 truck was extremely well cared for and maintained. No heavy hauling, no towing, run in normal operating conditions, not abused People see it and tell me it looks brand new. Transmission began slipping on the way to work, had it towed into a shop and it will need a total rebuild. 53000 miles. After spending the hard earned money that this thing cost, the expectation would be for the drive train to last longer than this. It is no wonder GM is going under turning out junk like this. My faith in Chevy pickups is shattered.

- Brian H., Covington, WA, US

problem #7

Aug 042008

Silverado 5.3L C8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

I bought a used 2004 Chevrolet Silverado in Nov. 2007. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had 39,000 miles on it. Last week, while driving, I noticed the transmission slipping in 3rd gear. I pulled over and had the vehicle towed home, hoping that by doing so I could salvage the transmission. Upon being inspected by the dealer, it was found to be blown. Had a remanufactured transmission put in, drove the vehicle no more than 10 miles and the new transmission began to slip. I am bringing it back to the dealer tomorrow to find out what the problem is. I asked the dealership to look into why the transmission would have blown at 48,000 miles, but they said that was hard to determine and just took the old one out and put the new in. I am extremely frustrated, never towed, plowed or put any pressure on this truck. I will let you know what I find out tomorrow.

- Pamm P., North Hoosick, NY, US

problem #6

May 172007

(reported on)

Silverado 6.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

Vehicle has never been off road or towed anything. Tranny blew - would not shift out of first gear, dealer says "full of metal"--replaced tranny.

- Richard D., Miesenbach, GE, Germany

problem #5

May 092007

(reported on)

Silverado 1500 4.8L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

My truck only has 75,000 miles on it. I take very good care of it, I do not gun it, spin the tires or do roll backs. I change the oil every 3,000 miles . I do what I need to do when the truck needs it. It is going to cost me way too much to replace the transmission. I feel that the Chevrolet company should do a recall and replace it at their own expense.

- tinak, Searsport, ME, US

problem #4

Feb 222007

(reported on)

Silverado 2500 LT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

I Leased this Silverado new in July of 04 and by November of that same year I was on my 3rd transmission..... [ No towing , hauling, Plowing was done at all] NOW I have 53,000 miles and guess what another transmission problem... approx $2500 for repairs...... The only positive thing is GM is paying 75% of repairs.... But why am I having transmission problems again !!!! ??? Very Frustrated !!!

- Daniel S., Traverse City, MI, US

problem #3

Nov 082006

(reported on)

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

going down highway the transmission started throwing out transmission fluid profusely. Apparently the front pump bushing walked out of position and lead to the leak. Required transmission removal.

- Leo E., Ventress, CA, US

problem #2

Sep 132006

(reported on)

Silverado LE

  • 40,000 miles

I have had to have the transmission fixed now 3 times. There is no excuse for this. It slips out of 1st gear and it has this awful whinning sound that it makes that they say is "somewhat normal". I am sorry to say that a 2004 truck should not sound like that and I am sure that I will never purchase one again. 3 fixes since new! It has been taken apart and rebuilt 3 times! There is no excuse for a transmission needing repair after 100 miles and even worse that it never seems to get fixed just band-aids. Replaced tranny at 36k.

- Angela F., Hastings, MN, US

problem #1

Jan 012006

(reported on)

Silverado 1500 LS

  • 18,000 miles

My truck was purchased new and at 18,000 miles I have had the transmission rebuilt, replaced, rebuilt again, and now I am having problems again. When I drive the truck it shakes while driving and when stoping it down shifts 3 or 4 times hard.

- Ricky H., Sugarland, TX, US

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