2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Consumer Reviews

Silverado SS

Written by: Maverikx99 on 01/04/2009

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab SS AWD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

The truck is definitely fun to drive and has lots of power. Drawbacks are terrible gas mileage (and premium) and noises from the AWD caused by bad assembly of the carrier.

Favorite Features

6.0 HO and the Bose sound.

Suggested Improvements

Improved AWD system.

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My Chevy

Written by: Tom on 10/20/2008

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab LS Rwd SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This truck is so much more reliable than anything I've driven before, which include 2 Ford Rangers, a Ford Expedition, and a Toyota pickup. I haven't had one single problem or issue with it. It needs to be serviced every 3000 miles, but once I went 8,000 miles without an oil change (oops) but it can handle it. On occasion the brakes make noise but I'm not the most conservative driver and I haven't had new breaks installed since I bought it. One time I noticed something was squeaking on the inside cabin, again, this will happen with pretty much every truck, depending on how and where you drive it. Don't use this thing to commute, although it can handle it, it only gets 15-16 mpg on streets

Favorite Features

Reliability, roominess, handling

Suggested Improvements

Highway/street modes. Make the rear doors open the same as front.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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90000k

Written by: madman350 on 09/08/2008

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab LS Rwd SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This truck still has 1/4" brake shoes left (f+r), which includes towing tandem trailer daily for 1 1/2 yrs. No one I work with owns a more reliable truck even those that cost 40-50K$. I peg the tach almost every day, uses nearly no oil, mpg avgs. 16+ city with AC; 17-19 hwy; 10-12 towing. Interior is very comfortable and no pickup has a colder AC. Here in FL I never have to run the fan past "3" for more than a minute to chase out 100+heat. The x- cab still has a 6'6" bed, Dodge has 6'3" which isn't enough. Much better ride than Dodge, and way better interior instrumentation than XLT Ford. Engine compartment is roomy, allowing ease of maintenance. The bed is low allowing easy loading of very heavy items.

Favorite Features

Very quiet and trouble free 5.3. Smooth tranny. Locking differential enables 2wd to dominate sugar sand. Travels fast, easily, and economically. Extremely bright headlamps. The interior chimes don't drive you crazy like Ford. Roomy interior and engine compartment. Simple design=reliability. Very easy and cheap to maintain.

Suggested Improvements

Make the sheet metal stronger. Add 2-5 xtra gallon tank capacity. Offer factory applied camo version for off roaders/hunters. Split rear seat. Make more z-71's available with floor transfer case shifter.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love my Chevy

Written by: Wendy on 09/08/2008

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab LS 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This was my 1st bought new truck & I love it. I live in the country so the 4x4 gets used due to snow & mud and it has always worked like a charm. This is my everyday going to work, pulling stock trailer & my going on vacation vechicle all in one & it does it all. Other then routine oil changes I've never had to put any repair work into it. Only thing that ever happened was the overhead console came loose & I had to tighten the screw that held it. I love this truck & sorry dealerships, but I'm not going to be getting another for years probably even decades cause this is the one for me & is built to last. It still looks brand new inside & out. This is my go there go anywhere reliable truck

Favorite Features

Love the XM radio, push button 4x4, extended cab doors that open without being a four door, rear seatbelts that are large enough for a full grown man and yet have the adjustment built into them for children. Auto mirrors, ease of laying down the back seat, push button controls on steering wheel.

Suggested Improvements

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Cheap build quality

Written by: Nancy on 08/06/2008

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab SS AWD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I have always loved the Silverado but I have come to believe that they are getting more and more cheaply built. My last two Silverados have had the same airconditioner problem by the second year. My 2004 with 53000 miles just had the rear differential cover replaced because it rusted right through the middle. (And, this truck is kept garaged and underbody washed in the winter. It is'nt even my primary vehicle.) The metal used for the differential cover might as well have been aluminum foil. Not even a coat of protective paint. As I look at my 2004 compared to my 2002, I see a lot of cheaply done work and parts in the newer model. That's why my next truck will be a Toyota

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Stop the cheap shortcuts.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My Dream Truck!

Written by: JelliedMooseNose on 01/14/2008

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab LS Rwd SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This truck is awesome! It is all I've ever wanted in a truck. My 4.8 has adequate power now that I have a K&N Cold Air Intake in combination with a Dual Flowmaster 40 series exhaust. The handling is great and at times I forget how big this vehicle is. This truck has been reliable with no major problems at all. Gas mileage is reasonably well, but like they say, "If I wanted MPG's I would have got a Honda!"

Favorite Features

The interior room is great for someone my height (6'4), the exterior styling is the best on the road, the steering wheel controls are really easy to use.

Suggested Improvements

Really the only improvement would be the stereo in my opinion. They should make the Bose audio system standard on all model configurations.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Truck!

Written by: Lourot on 01/04/2008

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2dr Regular Cab Work Truck Rwd SB (4.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I have over 70,000 miles on this truck and it has never seen the inside of a shop for repairs. Routine maintenance is all that's require. Replaced the factory tires with Michelin ltx when they wore out and that has improved the ride and wet traction considerably.

Favorite Features

Reliability has to be #1. I've never owned a new vehicle before that didn't need at least some warranty work done, This is first for me. #2 is the Silver Birch color. So easy to keep looking good even on a dirt road.

Suggested Improvements

Seat design. I throw little stuff in the seat and it always falls through the gap between the seat.

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Best purchase of the year

Written by: chris on 12/18/2007

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Crew Cab LS Rwd SB (5.3L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Purchased this truck used with under 26000 miles. Great truck and plenty of room for me and the crew inside the cab. Traded in my 1979 Silverado and haven't looked back. These Chevys are built to last as my last truck was a testiment to that fact. The 04 drives like a car and handles like a dream. The 5.3 liters is more than enough power to pass the folks doing 75 MPH in the fast lane. The Bose stereo has lots of thump for the headbangers and air guitarist. Caution air guitar is not recommended while driving. If I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing except for not buying this truck sooner.

Favorite Features

Radio steering wheel controls. Towing capability is awesome. Bose stereo rocks. Instrument panel is easy to read and laid out nicely. Seats are comfortable enough to fall asleep. Interior on the Crew Cab has plenty of room in the rear even with the front seats all the way back. Dual climate control.

Suggested Improvements

I miss the 8 ft bed of my old truck. With my tool box installed I have little room for much hauling. I solved this by purchasing a nice set of ladder racks for about $500. Gas mileage is less than advertised at about 13 city 18 hiway. Interior design is pretty plain but I could add a trim kit later.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Love My Truck

Written by: Doug from NC on 11/14/2007

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab LT 4WD SB (5.3L 8cyl 4A)

Review

My truck is my baby. It's ready for a night on the town or to help a friend move. It's never let me down and I feel safe and comfortable driving in rain or snow. The auto 4 wheel drive function is what gives me this feeling. 47000 trouble free miles and counting. My second Silverado and I will have it for the next 5 years at least.

Favorite Features

OnStar is great. I love the ride, this thing holds the road and doesn't bounce around like other makes 4x4s. It really gives you a feel of control yet seems to drive itself. Seats are very comfortable and the leather is of "truck" quality which means it holds up well to wear and tear.

Suggested Improvements

Locking tailgate. Get with the times and go with LED tail lights. Go back to the locking center console and glove box. Larger stock rims and tires. I suggest 17 to 18 with at least 265 tires instead of 245.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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OK But typical GM

Written by: Keith Stroup on 11/08/2007

Vehicle

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr Extended Cab LS 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Bought the truck new in 2004. Had a Dodge Ram 1500, This was a huge step up. Best gas mileage: 21 MPG driving on factory tires thru Ohio / Indiana. Worst gas mileage: 16 MPG driving on larger P265 aftermarket truck tires thru Central PA. I don't like the rear doors, they don't shut right. At 12,000 miles I had to have all rotors turned, they were warped so bad I was afraid to step on the brakes. At 34,000 miles rear rotors rusted & wore the rear pads out?? Chevy blamed it on me...keeping it in a garage & driving it on weekends is too much for rear disc brakes? Excellent 4WD system, like the part-time 4WD feature, comes in very handy on wet roads. At 35K I still like the truck.

Favorite Features

Electronic select 4WD & Part Time 4WD. OK gas mileage. 4.8L engine is plenty if your not hauling. Comfortable to drive on long trips. Standard 4 Wheel anti-lock brakes.

Suggested Improvements

Rear doors on extended cab don't shut right. Rear disc brakes may have issues.

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