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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

Power Train complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2005
Power TrainCrash

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION, THE BRAKE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PUSHED ON TO PUT INTO GEAR. I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED AWAY AND MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO CLIMB INTO THE FRONT SEAT, PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURN IT TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT THE DR…

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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION, THE BRAKE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PUSHED ON TO PUT INTO GEAR. I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED AWAY AND MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO CLIMB INTO THE FRONT SEAT, PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURN IT TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT THE DRIVE UP ON THE CURB, HIT A MAIL BOX AND SINCE THE DOOR WAS OPENED -LUCKILY IT DID NOT RUN INTO THE HOUSE. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WHEN THAT THERE WAS A LAW PASSED THAT STATED YOU HAVE TO PUSH ON THE BRAKE TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT THE VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A TOWING FEATURE, I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THIS IS A COMMON SUV FOR PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN AND IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE STOLEN. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND PAID SOMEONE TO HAVE THIS FIXED, HOWEVER; I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A DEFECT IN THE 2004 CHEV. TAHOE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DAMAGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND IN THE FUTURE IF THIS IS NOT RECALLED OR FIXED - I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER CHEV. VEHICLE AND I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT BE ALSO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10107636

17,497 miles · Jan 6, 2005
Power Train

2004 SUBURBAN LT WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. OCCAISIONAL LOSS OF POWER WHEN TURNING AND ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC. USUALLY LASTS ABOUT TWO SECONDS BEFORE POWER RETURNS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. CHEVROLET HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP , A TIMING DEVICE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND AN AIR SENSOR OVER THE COURSE…

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2004 SUBURBAN LT WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. OCCAISIONAL LOSS OF POWER WHEN TURNING AND ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC. USUALLY LASTS ABOUT TWO SECONDS BEFORE POWER RETURNS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. CHEVROLET HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP , A TIMING DEVICE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND AN AIR SENSOR OVER THE COURSE OF SIX TRIPS TO THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO GM ENGINEERS AS THE FOUR WHEEL AUTOMATICALLY SENSING A NEED TO SHIFT , AND THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN FIX. I HAVE AND ACTIVE COMPLAINT WITH GM, CASE NUMBER 1-269747819 SINCE 10/21/2004.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10105842

3,000 miles · Oct 20, 2004
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS ABLE SWITCH GEARS WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WITH A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD INSIDE. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092841

11,000 miles · May 3, 2004
Power TrainCrash

I HAD MY 2004 CHEV SUBURBAN PARKED IN MY GARAGE. MY 8 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT LISTENING TO THE RADIO. I HAD THE GEAR IN PARK AND THE KEY IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION SO SHE COULD LISTEN TO THE RADIO. FROM THE BACK SEAT SHE REACHED UP TO TURN OFF THE RADIO AND ACCIDENTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CAR WENT INTO REV…

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I HAD MY 2004 CHEV SUBURBAN PARKED IN MY GARAGE. MY 8 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT LISTENING TO THE RADIO. I HAD THE GEAR IN PARK AND THE KEY IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION SO SHE COULD LISTEN TO THE RADIO. FROM THE BACK SEAT SHE REACHED UP TO TURN OFF THE RADIO AND ACCIDENTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE. THE DRIVES SIDE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN. WHEN THE SUBURBAN ROLLED OUT OF THE GARAGE THE REAR DOOR CAUGHT ON THE GARAGE DOOR KEEPING IT FROM ROLLING INTO THE STREET, INTO A PEDESTRIAN OR INTO THE HOUSE ACCROSS THE STREET. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I NOTIFIED GM PRODUCT ALLIGATIONS DEPARTMENT, TIM MILLER, ABOUT THE INCIDENT. HE STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD BE PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT USING THE BREAK WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO LOOK INTO THIS AS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OWNERS MANUAL SUGGESTS THAT YOU USE THE ACCESSORY KEY POSITIONING TO "LET YOU USE THINGS LIKE THE RADIO, POWER WINDOWS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF". I THINK THAT GM NEEDS TO LOOK AT INSTALLING SOME TYPE OF FEATURE THAT REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE ENGAGED TO SHIFT THE GREAR OUT OF PARK EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS PLACED IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION SIMILARY TO STANDARD NO. 102 - TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT - PASSENGER CARS, MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, TRUCKS, AND BUSES (EFFECTIVE 1-1-68) THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, A STARTER INTERLOCK, AND FOR A BRAKING EFFECT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SHIFTING ERRORS, STARTER ENGAGEMENT WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE POSITION, AND TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL BRAKING AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 KM/H (25 MPH). PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH INSTALLING SOME TYPE OF SAFETY MEASURES IN THE CHEV. SURBAN SO A FATAL INJURY DOES NOT OCCUR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068205

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.