IllustrationTHE 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
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
Electrical System complaints
72 reportsON MY CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2004; SPEEDOMETER FAILED. MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE. IT NO LONGER CALCULATES SPEED. IT IS STUCK POINTING (RESTING) PAST FASTEST LABEL OF 120MPH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE INOPERABLE. THE ALTERNATOR AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE INOPERABLE. THE ALTERNATOR AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AFTER EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM GAUGE. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE FAULTY GAUGES AND AS OF THIS DATE HAS NOT MADE A RECALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSIDERING ALL LEGAL REMEDIES AFFORDED BY LAW AS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE RECTI…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AFTER EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM GAUGE. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE FAULTY GAUGES AND AS OF THIS DATE HAS NOT MADE A RECALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSIDERING ALL LEGAL REMEDIES AFFORDED BY LAW AS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE RECTIFIED BY GM BY REPLACING THE AFOREMENTIONED FAULTY FACTORY EQUIPMENT. *TR
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 WHICH I BOUGHT USED IN 2006. SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK EITHER WITH DECREASED SPEED OR WITH THE HAND HELD REMOTE. YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO REACH BACK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH YOUR HAND. NOW, IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE REMOTE STILL WORKS…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 WHICH I BOUGHT USED IN 2006. SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK EITHER WITH DECREASED SPEED OR WITH THE HAND HELD REMOTE. YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO REACH BACK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH YOUR HAND. NOW, IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE REMOTE STILL WORKS BUT IT IS NOT UNLOCKING ANY OF THE DOORS AND YOU MUST USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE MOTORS IN EACH DOOR FOR THE LOCKS AND THAT REPLACING THEM ARE EXPENSIVE, SO I'M WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY KIND OF RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
SPEEDOMETER BEGAN READING INCORRECTLY, PEGGED OUT AT MAXIMUM, DRIFTS AIMLESSLY, THEN STICKS AGAIN. CANNOT GET SPEEDOMETER TO RESET OR READ CORRECTLY. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING OR GETS JUMPY AND SPORADIC IN WHEN AND HOW IT WORKS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 57000 MILES ON IT. THE ONLY EVENT THAT WE THOUGHT CAUSED IT WAS THE REALLY COLD TEMPERATURES BUT ITS WARMER NOW AND COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. IT IS EVERYTIME WE ARE IN THE VEHICLE DRIVING THAT IT DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE NOT GOT IT…
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THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING OR GETS JUMPY AND SPORADIC IN WHEN AND HOW IT WORKS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 57000 MILES ON IT. THE ONLY EVENT THAT WE THOUGHT CAUSED IT WAS THE REALLY COLD TEMPERATURES BUT ITS WARMER NOW AND COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. IT IS EVERYTIME WE ARE IN THE VEHICLE DRIVING THAT IT DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE NOT GOT IT FIXED YET. RESEARCHING PROBLEM FIRST TO MAKE SURE NO RECALLS WERE DONE ON IT FIRST. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT WERE EXPOSED. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE INTERMITTENT FAILURES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE EXPO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT WERE EXPOSED. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE INTERMITTENT FAILURES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE EXPOSED WIRES WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48250. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48349.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
SPEEDOMETER READS INCORRECTLY. READS SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH WHILE STANDING STILL, 120 MPH WHILE GOING 40MPH, OR NOTHING AT ALL. IT VARIES FROM DAY TO DAY. *TR
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.