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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
42,100 miles · Jan 20, 2013
Service Brakes

THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500 FAILED DURING AN ATTEMPTED STOP. THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. SUBSEQUENT TESTING OF THE BRAKES REVEALED THAT THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM LINES LEAVING THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS SPRAYING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE ENGINE CAUSING SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WA…

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THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500 FAILED DURING AN ATTEMPTED STOP. THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. SUBSEQUENT TESTING OF THE BRAKES REVEALED THAT THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM LINES LEAVING THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS SPRAYING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE ENGINE CAUSING SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED THROUGH CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. IT WAS STATED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS CORROSION WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS WHERE SALT IS USED ON THE ROADS FOR WINTER DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $2,500. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR SNOW PLOWING OR SPREADING ROAD SALT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493550

68,000 miles · Dec 8, 2012
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED .TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,THEY WANTED $500 TO REPLACE. TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND TRIED TO NEGOTIATE A LOWER PRICE AND ALSO FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND THAT SOME CUSTOMERS REPORT ONLINE THAT THEY HAVE GOT THE DEALER TO REPLACE AT NO COST. MY CLUSTER HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED …

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED .TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,THEY WANTED $500 TO REPLACE. TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND TRIED TO NEGOTIATE A LOWER PRICE AND ALSO FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND THAT SOME CUSTOMERS REPORT ONLINE THAT THEY HAVE GOT THE DEALER TO REPLACE AT NO COST. MY CLUSTER HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM SEEKING TO HAVE GM REPAIR IT FOR FREE.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487740

90,000 miles · Nov 21, 2012
Service Brakes

DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SUDDENLY AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON AS WELL AS THE BRAKE "IDIOT" LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485442

60,817 miles · Oct 29, 2012
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING IN AN URBAN AREA I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING DOWN MORE THAN USUAL AND WENT DOWN EVEN MORE AS I WAITED FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO CHANGE. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND FOUND THE LEVEL ABOUT AN INCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW A SMALL POOL OF BRAKE FLUI…

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WHILE DRIVING IN AN URBAN AREA I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING DOWN MORE THAN USUAL AND WENT DOWN EVEN MORE AS I WAITED FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO CHANGE. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND FOUND THE LEVEL ABOUT AN INCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW A SMALL POOL OF BRAKE FLUID FORMING ON THE DRIVE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. FURTHER SEARCH SHOWED THAT A BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING AND ALL THE LINES WERE BADLY CORRODED. I CALLED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER ADDING FLUID TO THE RESERVOIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED MY FINDING AND INDICATED THAT ALL THE LINES WERE SO BADLY RUSTED THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY FAIL SOON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT THEY ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE LINES IN THEIR CURRENT CONDITION. THE LABOR TO REPLACE THE LINES WAS $1,200. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482540

110,000 miles · Oct 14, 2012
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER GIVES A FALSE READING THAT COULD CAUSE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AT AN UNSAFE SPEED. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER SEEMED TO BE GIVING A FALSE READING. USING A GPS MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT I WAS UNKNOWINGLY TRAVELING AT A SPEED VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE …

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THE SPEEDOMETER GIVES A FALSE READING THAT COULD CAUSE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AT AN UNSAFE SPEED. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER SEEMED TO BE GIVING A FALSE READING. USING A GPS MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT I WAS UNKNOWINGLY TRAVELING AT A SPEED VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE SPEED LIMIT. THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT . THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480046

112,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478578

39,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED FROM THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. ...UPDATED 10/17/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY WARNING LIGHTS. GM OFFERED A CREDIT TOWARDS PURCHASING A NEW CHEVROLET VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DECLINED. UPDATED 10/17/2012 *JS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CALIPERS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED, ALONG WITH THE FRONT CALIPER HOSES AND FRONT ROTORS, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO CRACK AND WEAR UNEVENLY. UPDATED EVOQ 10/24/12 UPDATED EVOQ 11/21/12

NHTSA ODI #10475607

130,000 miles · Sep 7, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF HOWEVER, THE ABS CONTINUED IN OPERATION, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF HOWEVER, THE ABS CONTINUED IN OPERATION, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10474267

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

80,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Unknown Or OtherWheels

I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED JULY 2, 2012 THAT INDICATED THAT THE TIRES I PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED FROM PEPBOYS WERE DEFECTIVE AND COULD BLOW APART WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES HAD DOT SERIAL NUMBER UT T6 PA7. SO, I TOOK THE LETTER AND VEHICLE BACK TO PEPBOYS BUT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL. IN ANY EVENT, THEY DID REPLACE ALL FOUR…

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I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED JULY 2, 2012 THAT INDICATED THAT THE TIRES I PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED FROM PEPBOYS WERE DEFECTIVE AND COULD BLOW APART WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES HAD DOT SERIAL NUMBER UT T6 PA7. SO, I TOOK THE LETTER AND VEHICLE BACK TO PEPBOYS BUT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL. IN ANY EVENT, THEY DID REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT ARE STILL SELLING THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BECASE THE TIRES THEY INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE, FOR THE SECOND TIME, HAD DOT SERIAL UT T6 PA7. SO, IT APPEARS THAT I AM STILL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #10473341

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.