IllustrationSPEEDOMETER FAILURE. BAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. VERY UNSAFE. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban 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
330–25K
2725–50K
3450–75K
2475–100K
27100–150K
22150K+
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
What owners actually said
204 reportsODOMETER FAILED AND I WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED. IT COST ME APPROXIMATELY $750.00 TO REPAIR THE 2004 TAHOE. I OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS ITEM HAD TO BE REPLACED IN SEVERAL VEHICLES, BUT AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO RECALL. SO I HAD TO PAY! *AK
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
SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN WORKS SPORADICALLY SINCE NOV. 2006. COST TO REPLACE WILL BE APPROX. $500. *JB
TACHOMETER/SPEEDOMETER FAILED ON 2004 CHEVORLET SUBURBAN. PROVIDED UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE VEHICLE SPEED WAS AT AN ALL TIME IMPORTANCE. SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE MORE ANXIOUS AT THE WHEEL, NOT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WAS GOING ON THE H…
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TACHOMETER/SPEEDOMETER FAILED ON 2004 CHEVORLET SUBURBAN. PROVIDED UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE VEHICLE SPEED WAS AT AN ALL TIME IMPORTANCE. SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE MORE ANXIOUS AT THE WHEEL, NOT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WAS GOING ON THE HIGHWAY OR RESIDENTIAL STREET TRAFFIC.*AK
SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 SUBURBAN PEGS OUT AT 120 WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY AND IT NEVER RETURNS TO 0. BASED ON WEB SEARCHES THIS IS TYPICAL FAILURE MODE OF GM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH REQUIRES $400-$500 TO REPLACE. I, LIKE MANY OTHERS CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND THEREFORE DRIVE AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT AND THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AND RUNS WILDLY ON OCCASION. RARELY FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WILL COST $500+ TO REPLACE AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAD 51K MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT BUILT INTO THE CAR AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR RE…
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT AND THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AND RUNS WILDLY ON OCCASION. RARELY FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WILL COST $500+ TO REPLACE AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAD 51K MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT BUILT INTO THE CAR AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT! *JB
OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVY TAHOE Z71 4X4 LAT AUGUST 2006 MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER AN OVERNIGHT STAY. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2004, I HAD TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER. AFTER TOWING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, 5 TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT WAS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO NOT START. THEY REPLAC…
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OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVY TAHOE Z71 4X4 LAT AUGUST 2006 MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER AN OVERNIGHT STAY. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2004, I HAD TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER. AFTER TOWING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, 5 TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT WAS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO NOT START. THEY REPLACED IT. A FEW WEEKS LATER. ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY VEHICLE DID NOT START. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. 3 WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM EMERGED AGAIN, THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY BATTERY WAS BAD, THEY REPLACED IT. NOW THIS WEEKEND OF MARCH 10, THE SAME PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS DEAD AND WILL NOT START. I AM VERY ANAL ABOUT TAKING MY VEHICLE FOR REGULAR CHECKUPS. WHY IS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BUT THE DEALER CANNOT FIND OR FIX IT. I CANNOT RELY ON Y VEHICLE, I MAY GO TO WORK OR TO STORE ETC. EXPECT TO GET IN MY VEHICLE TO COME HOME OR EVEN ON VACATION. THE POINT IS THAT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO START OR HALT ON ME. *JB
FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. WHILE IDLING, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BEGIN AT APPROX 80 MPG AND GO HIGHER AS I STARTED TO DRIVE (30 MPH READ 110 MPH). THEN IT WOULD GRADUALLY GO DOWN EACH TIME THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. IT WOULD TAKE 5 - 10 STOPS BEFORE IT WOULD FINALLY GO TO ZERO. THIS OCCURRED OVER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND FINALLY THE S…
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FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. WHILE IDLING, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BEGIN AT APPROX 80 MPG AND GO HIGHER AS I STARTED TO DRIVE (30 MPH READ 110 MPH). THEN IT WOULD GRADUALLY GO DOWN EACH TIME THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. IT WOULD TAKE 5 - 10 STOPS BEFORE IT WOULD FINALLY GO TO ZERO. THIS OCCURRED OVER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND FINALLY THE SPEEDOMETER COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. *JB
4 DAYS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER ARROW WAS ALL THE WAY TOP THE RIGHT. SHUT OF THE CAR AND THE NEEDLE RESET TO 30 MPH AND THEN IT WENT UP AS I INCREASED MY SPEED. YESTERDAY IT WAS STUCK ON 0 EVEN THOUGH I WAS MOVING. THEN IT WORKED OKAY LATER THAT EVENING. LATER IT REGISTERED THE WRONG SPEED. *JB
Official recalls
406V289000 · 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
1EA04012 · 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.