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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

What owners actually said

204 reports
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

170,000 miles · May 15, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BRAKE LINE BROKE BELOW DRIVER'S DOOR AND CAUSED BRAKES TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588695

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

100,000 miles · Feb 20, 2014
Steering

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN HER SUB DIVISION. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE PUSHED INTO HER DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC …

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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN HER SUB DIVISION. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE PUSHED INTO HER DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 100,000.LJ

NHTSA ODI #10565084

70,000 miles · Feb 11, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CAUSE WAS CORRODED BRAKE LINE THAT HAD LEAKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563866

155,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. I HAD TO REPEATEDLY PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THE SUBURBAN TO STOP. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT PULLING THE BOAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560188

86,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Structure

THE REAR WINDOW LIFT HINGE ATTACHED TO THE GLASS TO THE TAILGATE IS DEFECTIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS HINGE ONLINE, I LOCATED SEVERAL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD CAUSE SEVERAL PROBLEMS IF THE GLASS WERE TO SEPARATE DURING TRAVEL AND SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR CHEVROLET. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $1,300.00 FO…

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THE REAR WINDOW LIFT HINGE ATTACHED TO THE GLASS TO THE TAILGATE IS DEFECTIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS HINGE ONLINE, I LOCATED SEVERAL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD CAUSE SEVERAL PROBLEMS IF THE GLASS WERE TO SEPARATE DURING TRAVEL AND SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR CHEVROLET. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $1,300.00 FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT WILL JUST RE-OCCUR WITH IN A FEW YEARS AS SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS OBSERVED ONLINE BY NEW OWNERS OF 2 YEARS. THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554357

165,000 miles · Nov 15, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN I PRESSED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKELINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH THE LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552504

109,115 miles · Oct 26, 2013
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

I LIVE NEAR FREDERICK, MARYLAND AND TODAY I DROVE MY 2004 SUBURBAN DOWN TO THE CUL DE SAC AT THE END OF OUR STREET GOING AROUND 20MPH, BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES, I FELT THEM GO ALMOST TO THE FLOOR, SO I PUMPED/PRESSED THEM AGAIN TWICE AND EACH TIME THEY THEN WENT FULLY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE TRUCK WAS NOT STOPPING. I MANAGED T…

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I LIVE NEAR FREDERICK, MARYLAND AND TODAY I DROVE MY 2004 SUBURBAN DOWN TO THE CUL DE SAC AT THE END OF OUR STREET GOING AROUND 20MPH, BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES, I FELT THEM GO ALMOST TO THE FLOOR, SO I PUMPED/PRESSED THEM AGAIN TWICE AND EACH TIME THEY THEN WENT FULLY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE TRUCK WAS NOT STOPPING. I MANAGED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND PRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITH THE FRONT TIRES JUST 3 FEET FROM MY NEIGHBORS LAWN. I THEN GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE ALONG WITH A TRAIL OF IT ABOUT 30-40 FEET UP THE STREET FROM WHERE I FIRST PRESSED THE BRAKES. I TOWED THE TRUCK BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND CAN SEE THAT ALL OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED ALONG THE FRAME BELOW THE DRIVERS DOOR AREA. I COULD SEE THAT ONE OF THE LINES CLEARLY RUPTURED AND SPRAYED BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE. I STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THE SAME SYMPTOM/PROBLEMS ARE ALREADY LISTED AS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR 1999-2003 CHEVY TRUCKS UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE10010. MINE IS A 2004 MODEL YEAR BUT IT MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT IN LATE 2003. IN ANY CASE, I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT 20MPH AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE TOWING. CLEARLY GM HAS A PROBLEM AND THESE TRUCKS THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS THIS PROBLEM COULD KILL PEOPLE VERY EASILY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549653

101,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013
TiresCrash

WE WERE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON US HWY 131 JUST NORTH OF KALAMAZOO, MI. OUR WILDERNESS AT P255/70R16 SHREDDED AND ALMOST CAUSED US TO ROLL OVER. THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY $2400 PLUS $197 FOR TWO TIRES. WE BOUGHT SUBURBAN FROM A FORD DEALER IN WI IN DECEMBER 2011. THE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE. WE FOUND …

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WE WERE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON US HWY 131 JUST NORTH OF KALAMAZOO, MI. OUR WILDERNESS AT P255/70R16 SHREDDED AND ALMOST CAUSED US TO ROLL OVER. THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY $2400 PLUS $197 FOR TWO TIRES. WE BOUGHT SUBURBAN FROM A FORD DEALER IN WI IN DECEMBER 2011. THE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE. WE FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE RECALLED AND ALSO WERE 14 YEARS OLD. WE WENT TO THE FORD DEALER TO SEE ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED FOR THE TWO TIRES THAT THEY KNOWINGLY PUT ON THE SUBURBAN. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY PUT THE TIRES ON BUT CLAIMED IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO KNOW ALL THE TIRES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WE THEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FIRESTONE. NINE MONTHS AFTER WE FILED THE COMPLAINT, SENT THE EVIDENCE, ALL PAPERWORK, THE TIRE WITH SHREDDED PIECES, AND COST OF REPAIRS, WE RECEIVED A NOTE THAT FIRESTONE WAS NOT LIABLE, THAT THE TIRE WAS 14 YEARS OLD, AND THAT THEY WOULD ONLY PAY FOR ONE TIRE. THEY SAID THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT PROPERLY INFLATED. WE TOOK THE AIR OUT WHEN IT WAS SENT BECAUSE UPS WOULDN'T TAKE IT WITH AIR IN IT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE SECOND TIRE. IT HAS EXCELLENT TREAD. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING FROM LOOKING AT IT THAT IT IS A HAZARD. SHOULDN'T A TIRE COMPANY THAT RECALLED TIRES HAVE TO REPLACE THEM EVEN IF THEY ARE OLD? WE HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW THAT THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY BALD AND NEVER WENT FLAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509663

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.