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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.

About this comparison →

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

Engine complaints

6 reports
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90,000 miles · Nov 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSeats

1ST COMPLAINT: AFTER PASSING A VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY (THIS REQUIRED THE SUBURBAN TO GO INTO THE PASSING GEAR), THE SUBURBAN'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER IN ORDER TO AVOID BE HIT BY PASSING VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, THE SU…

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1ST COMPLAINT: AFTER PASSING A VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY (THIS REQUIRED THE SUBURBAN TO GO INTO THE PASSING GEAR), THE SUBURBAN'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER IN ORDER TO AVOID BE HIT BY PASSING VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, THE SUBURBAN STARTED UP AGAIN. WE STARTED DRIVING AGAIN BUT AGAIN ONCE I TRIED TO ACCELERATE OR PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE SUBURBAN WOULD SHUT DOWN AGAIN. AUTO MECHANIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DO THIS. VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS IF THIS HAPPENS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY. 2ND COMPLAINT: CLUSTER PANEL WENT HAYWIRE. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, OIL GAUGE NOT READING PROPERLY ETC. EVENTUALLY, THE ENTIRE CLUSTER PANEL SHUT DOWN. HAD TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF ABOUT $500. 3RD COMPLAINT: DRIVERS SEAT FUNCTIONS AND HEATING MECHANISIM MALFUNCTIONED. THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING AND THE SEAT CONTROLS MALFUNCTIONED. THE SOME OF THE DRIVERS SEAT CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING OR ARE REVERSED. EXAMPLE; WHEN YOU PUSH THE LEVER TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD IT GOES BACKWARD AND VIS VERSA. THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING AND IT WILL CANCEL OUT THE PASSENGERS SIDE HEATED SEAT. EXAMPLE; IF THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT IS SELECTED, IT WORKS BUT ONCE YOU SELECT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT IT WILL CANCEL OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL DOESN'T WORK. AUTO MECHANIC CLAIMED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT WAS BAD. HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $300 BUT STILL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ORIGINAL HEATED SEAT ELEMENT WAS NOT BAD EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655267

109,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Engine

GM TSB 06-06-019B GRADUAL COOLANT LOSS (JUNE 2007) MY VEHICLE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF COOLANT LOSS. SAMPLED OIL VIA CATERPILLAR, RESULTS SHOW COOLANT IN OIL. CHANGED OIL AND FOUND SLUDGE IN OIL FILTER. BOUGHT VEHICLE FROM A DEALER "AS IS-NO WARRANTY" . CANNOT BELIEVE A PROFESSIONAL SHOP "MISSED THIS" ON THEIR VEHICLE INSPECTION/P…

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GM TSB 06-06-019B GRADUAL COOLANT LOSS (JUNE 2007) MY VEHICLE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF COOLANT LOSS. SAMPLED OIL VIA CATERPILLAR, RESULTS SHOW COOLANT IN OIL. CHANGED OIL AND FOUND SLUDGE IN OIL FILTER. BOUGHT VEHICLE FROM A DEALER "AS IS-NO WARRANTY" . CANNOT BELIEVE A PROFESSIONAL SHOP "MISSED THIS" ON THEIR VEHICLE INSPECTION/PREP FOR RE-SALE. WILL BE TAKING TO DIFFERENT DEALER FOR COOLANT PRESSURE TEST 09.09.14 TO VERIFY WHAT I ALREADY KNOW. MY VEHICLE HAS THE CASTECH CYLINDER HEADS. THIS IS A REPAIR THAT I CANNOT PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET AT THIS TIME. I'M HOPING FOR OUT OF WARRANTY ASSISTANCE TO HELP W THIS REPAIR. FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ON-LINE AND IN GM FORUMS. SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE AN ENGINE SEIZE OR CATCH FIRE ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630904

75,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MPH WHEN THE DISPLAY SAID "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND MY VEHICLE DECREASED IN POWER. IT DIDN'T MATTER HOW MUCH I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 10 MILES AN HOUR. I PULLED OVER, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. STARTED IT AGAIN, IT DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES TH…

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I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MPH WHEN THE DISPLAY SAID "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND MY VEHICLE DECREASED IN POWER. IT DIDN'T MATTER HOW MUCH I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 10 MILES AN HOUR. I PULLED OVER, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. STARTED IT AGAIN, IT DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THEN THE SAME MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. I TURNED AROUND AND HEADED HOME DRIVING 10 MILES AN HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607228

131,236 miles · May 22, 2014
Engine

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE CEASED RUNNING. PULLED OFF ROAD AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO GARAGE. NO VEHICLE FUNCTION WORKED EXCEPT EMERGENCY FLASHERS. VEHICLE JUST "DIED" AND STOPPED OPERATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593368

65,250 miles · May 7, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, PEDAL SENSOR, AND WIRING HARNESS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. GM WANTS 150 JUST TO PLUG IT INTO THEIR COMPUTER TO TELL ME WHAT I CAN GET DOWN FOR FREE WITH MY BUDDIES CODE READER....NO I WON'T LET MY WIFE OR CHILDREN DRIVE THE CAR. I ONLY …

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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, PEDAL SENSOR, AND WIRING HARNESS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. GM WANTS 150 JUST TO PLUG IT INTO THEIR COMPUTER TO TELL ME WHAT I CAN GET DOWN FOR FREE WITH MY BUDDIES CODE READER....NO I WON'T LET MY WIFE OR CHILDREN DRIVE THE CAR. I ONLY DRIVE IT TO AND FROM WORK. HAD TO GO OUT AND BUY A TOYOTA JUST TO KEEP MY MIND AT EASE SO MY WIFE AND OR KIDS WON'T GET KILLED FROM THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE CHEVY/GMC DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE UNTIL MULTIPLE PEOPLE DIE FROM THIS. I HOPE TO SEE THAT THEY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. THINKING OF CONTACTING MY CONGRESS REPRESENTATIVE TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP OUT US THAT ARE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. NOBODY ELSE IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587108

140,000 miles · Sep 3, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AT INTERSTATE AND LOW SPEEDS AND SHOW REDUCED POWER AND STABILITY SYSTEM DISABLED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, I WAS NEARLY KILLED ON THE INTERSTATE BY AND 18 WHEELER COMING UP BEHIND ME WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473659

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.