2004 Chevrolet Express recalls and problems

6 recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Express.

6
recalls
21
owner complaints
1
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2004 Chevrolet Express recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and cap

NHTSA campaign 12V388000 · reported August 8, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC · 9,389 vehicles potentially affected

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

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 05V558000 · reported December 19, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 425,593 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.
The risk
In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix
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.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 05V043000 · reported February 8, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 77,411 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Power train: automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shift

NHTSA campaign 04V320000 · reported July 6, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,792 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If this were to occur, the vehicle could move in a direction not anticipated by the driver, which could result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
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.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 04V189000 · reported April 19, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 331 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.
The fix
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.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 04V045000 · reported February 4, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 68,875 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 1, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system

NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V388000. I have this problem. A leaking fuel line due to corrosion. I drive in the Cascade MT's of Washington state. my line now leaks excessively on fill up.

Dec 30, 2021 · Suspension

This vehicle was sold for use over US highways, as "repairable condition". After going to a mechanic shop, I was advised, because of sever rust the rear leaf spring hangers were completely rusted thru, the rear axle assembly could come off or the frame could break in half, by just going over say, a railroad crossing…

Nov 9, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system · 148,000 miles

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

Oct 17, 2016 · Visibility/wiper · 33,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT OF PLACE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WINDOWS ON THE VEHICLE WERE LOOSE. THERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE…

Sep 8, 2016 · Structure · 150,000 miles · fire reported

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.

Express model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 24532
2002 05603
2003 105927
2004 62112
2005 82301
2006 161220
2007 41811

Across all years, the 2000 Express has the most complaints (84). All Chevrolet Express years →

Questions

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Express, the most recent reported on August 8, 2012 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and cap). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Express?
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is seat belts (3 complaints), followed by service brakes (3).
How many 2004 Chevrolet Express complaints mention a crash or fire?
1 of 21 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 1, 2022.