IllustrationI CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT USING THE OUTSIDE LATCH. THE HANDLE IS BROKEN AND THE LOCAL DEALER STATES HE HAS TO ORDER THE LATCH FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO HAVING TO LOWER THE WINDOW FOR SAFE EXIT, OR ANY EXIT. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *JB
2004 Chevrolet Ssr
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ssr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
325–50K
150–75K
275–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
21 reports with mileage · 7 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
28 reportsVEHICLE TYPE: 2004 CHEVY SSR PROBLEM/COMPLAINT: INTERIOR DOOR LATCH FAILURE, CAN'T EXIT VEHICLE. 1. DRIVERS INTERIOR DOOR LATCH STARTS TO TAKE 3-4 PULLS TO OPEN DOOR AND THEN WITHIN THE WEEK THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH COMPLETELY FAILS REQUIRING THE POWER WINDOW TO BE OPENED AND THE DOOR OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. …
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VEHICLE TYPE: 2004 CHEVY SSR PROBLEM/COMPLAINT: INTERIOR DOOR LATCH FAILURE, CAN'T EXIT VEHICLE. 1. DRIVERS INTERIOR DOOR LATCH STARTS TO TAKE 3-4 PULLS TO OPEN DOOR AND THEN WITHIN THE WEEK THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH COMPLETELY FAILS REQUIRING THE POWER WINDOW TO BE OPENED AND THE DOOR OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS IN AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER REASON THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY DEALER TO REPAIR THE LATCH, BUT HE IS NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE IN. *NM
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, CANNOT EXIT VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. *NM
HOOD PROP DOES NOT SAFELY HOLD THE HOOD UP ON THE 2004 CHEVY SSR. THE 2005 MODEL HAS A DIFFERENT HOOD LIFT SYSTEM. THE 2004 NEEDS TO BE RETROFITTED TO MATCH.
RE: 2004 CHEVY SSR, HOOD PROP NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD HOOD UP. *BF THE HOOD PROP BENDS UNDER THE WEIGH OF THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE HOOD PROP FAILING AND THE HOOD FALLING RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *NM
2004 CHEVROLET SSR: HOOD PROP FAILURE. THE FLIMSY HOOD PROP HOLDING THE GIGANTIC SSR HOOD IS BENT. I HAVE PURCHASED AN ALUMINUM HOOD PROP TO USE INSTEAD OF THE FAULTY FACTORY THIN PROP. MANY HAVE FAILED AND HOODS HAVE FALLEN ALL THE WAY CLOSED. MINE WOULD TOO WERE I TO CONTINUE USE. JG
TRUCK COMES WITH FLIMSY HOOD SUPPORT, NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT WEIGHT OF HOOD. FELL ON MY BACK.
VEHICLE: 2004 CHEVROLET SSR PROBLEM: FLIMSY HOOD PROP ROD AND A VERY HEAVY HOOD. THE ROD SLIPPED AND THE HOOD FELL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN. SOLUTION: THE 2005 CHEVROLET SSR IS REPORTED TO HAVE A SELF SUPPORTING PNEUMATIC LIFT. THE 2003 AND 2004 SSRS SHOULD BE RETROFITTED BY CHEVROLET AT NO COST …
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VEHICLE: 2004 CHEVROLET SSR PROBLEM: FLIMSY HOOD PROP ROD AND A VERY HEAVY HOOD. THE ROD SLIPPED AND THE HOOD FELL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN. SOLUTION: THE 2005 CHEVROLET SSR IS REPORTED TO HAVE A SELF SUPPORTING PNEUMATIC LIFT. THE 2003 AND 2004 SSRS SHOULD BE RETROFITTED BY CHEVROLET AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.