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2004 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

167 reports with mileage · 37 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 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2026
Air Bags

Front passenger dash airbag spontaneously deployed without any inciting event. The vehicle is at the Team Chevrolet Goldsboro dealership. A case has been opened with General Motors Case Number XXX. No prior warning - it smoked for a few seconds then deployed. No prior warning lights.

NHTSA ODI #11728354

200,000 miles · Jan 3, 2023
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingInjury

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph he noticed the temperature gauge increased to the high indicator. The engine coolant hot message was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to pull over there was an abnormal popping noise and smoke was detected. T…

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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph he noticed the temperature gauge increased to the high indicator. The engine coolant hot message was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to pull over there was an abnormal popping noise and smoke was detected. The air bag warning light illuminated and the driver's side air bag deployed without impact or crash and struck the driver in the face, chest, and right hand. There was no medical attention provided, or a fire or police report filed. The vehicle was left on the side of the road. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11499926

128,000 miles · Mar 27, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. A YELLOW SUBSTANCE EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. A YELLOW SUBSTANCE EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #11191828

160,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO START THE ENGINE, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND FACIAL BRUISES AND LACERATIONS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND LACERATIONS TO BOTH ARMS AND HANDS. ME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO START THE ENGINE, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND FACIAL BRUISES AND LACERATIONS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND LACERATIONS TO BOTH ARMS AND HANDS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10736186

150,000 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Air Bags

AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED AND COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED...UPDATED 08/27/15 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10730426

90,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringInjury

WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 70MPH, ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT LANE. ANOTHER CAR SPED UP THE RIGHT LANE TO PASS ME. TURNED STEERING WHEEL BACK TO LEFT LANE AND SUDDENLY HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING, BRAKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING. CAR ROLLED TWICE, OVER METAL MEDIAN AND TURNED 180 DEGREES FA…

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WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 70MPH, ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT LANE. ANOTHER CAR SPED UP THE RIGHT LANE TO PASS ME. TURNED STEERING WHEEL BACK TO LEFT LANE AND SUDDENLY HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING, BRAKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING. CAR ROLLED TWICE, OVER METAL MEDIAN AND TURNED 180 DEGREES FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON THE INTERSTATE W/ ROOF CRUSHED IN. NEITHER SIDE OR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT AND SIDES SMASHED IN AND FRAME BENT. VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TO BE TOTALED BY STATE FARM. HAVE BEEN DRIVING 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY LIFE. ONLY GOOD THING WAS THE SEATBELT HELD TIGHT AS I WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE DAY BEFORE THIS OCCURRED I NOTICED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD RANDOMLY ENGAGE DURING STRAIGHT DRIVING ON A PERFECTLY DRY SURFACE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER IN 2004 AND THE CAR WAS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. (IT LOOKED BRAND NEW). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424360

60,000 miles · Apr 20, 2007
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER, MACMAHON CHEVROLET, PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NO FAILURES. HOWEVER, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO DIM. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK. THE LIGHT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER, MACMAHON CHEVROLET, PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NO FAILURES. HOWEVER, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE LIGHT TO DIM. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK. THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ,AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CENTER THAT SENDS THE SIGNAL FOR THE AIR BAGSWAS DAMAGED. THIS FAILURE WOULD PREVENT THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING IN A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188417

29,569 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Air Bags

DT: THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 SUBURBAN. IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 4-5 TIMES FOR AIR BAG PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY AND THEN IT WOULD STAY ON. IN MAY 05 THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONNECTORS. SINCE THEN THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE COMPUTER THAT GOES TO THE AIR…

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DT: THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 SUBURBAN. IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 4-5 TIMES FOR AIR BAG PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY AND THEN IT WOULD STAY ON. IN MAY 05 THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONNECTORS. SINCE THEN THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE COMPUTER THAT GOES TO THE AIR BAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY REPLACED THE CONNECTORS AGAIN LAST WEEK ON 8-17-05. THE CONTACT TALKED TO GM, AND THEY OFFERED HIM AN EXTENSION ON THE WARRANTY FOR THE AIR BAG. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO GIVE A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10134039

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2005
Air BagsCrash

DT: VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH AND THE SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10125146

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN HIS 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AN OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115547

Official recalls

4

06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 3, 2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 8, 2005

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 & remedy

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.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

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 & remedy

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.

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

1

EA04012 · Hydraulic Pump Failres

Opened Apr 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 28, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.