VehicleVerdict

2004 Chevrolet Express problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Express — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Express years?

See all Express years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Express problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes727%
Fuel System415%
Seat Belts312%
Steering28%
Engine28%
Electrical System28%
Body & Structure28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Suspension14%
Transmission14%
Airbags14%

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V388000Fuel SystemAugust 8, 2012 · 9,389 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Water and road contaminants may become trapped in the protective conduit that covers the fuel filler pipe and may cause the pipe to corrode.

Consequence

Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

05V558000Seat BeltsDecember 19, 2005 · 425,593 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V043000BrakesFebruary 8, 2005 · 77,411 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

04V320000TransmissionJuly 6, 2004 · 1,792 units

Defect

CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY THAT MAY SEPARATE. IF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR MAY NO LONGER CORRELATE.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE IN A DIRECTION NOT ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

04V189000Seat BeltsApril 19, 2004 · 331 units

Defect

CERTAIN VANS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING A LATCH WITH A BRITTLE CONDITION THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. THE RECALL BEAGN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

04V045000BrakesFebruary 4, 2004 · 68,875 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED TO EVIDENCE PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO WHAT'S DESCRIBED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 04V452000. POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND GM DEALER PERFORMED HYDRO BOOST INSPECTION TEST AND IT PASSED; SAID NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED. BUS HAS AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 2, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILLER NECK WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 04/11/2017*JS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 8, 2016

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE POOR QUALITY OF GM AND GMAC PRODUCTS. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FRONT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ON HIS SEAT BELT. THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 1, 1901

ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKEN BOLTS,HAS 3 AT THIS POINT AND TIME. THIS CAUSES THE EXHAUST TO LEAK INTO DRIVERS COMPARTMENT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 6, 2014 · fire

THE VAN WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY STATIONARY. IT CAUGHT FIRE AND PROCEEDED TO BURN COMPLETELY FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THE WEBSITE STATES THIS VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS BUT THE VEHICLE TYPE HAS A RECALL LISTED THAT STATES IT COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 3, 2016 · fire

2004 Chevrolet Express — common questions

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Express reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Express problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (7 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), seat belts (3 complaints).

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Chevrolet Express. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Express under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Express years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Express years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2001, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2017, 2015. The cleanest record among Express years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.