2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC. READING 40 MPH PARKED. FOUND LONG LIST OF OTHER OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TAHOE/T2BGKBGI55EKNU77C/P8 . *NM
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
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.
What owners actually said
204 reportsSPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC. JUMPING TO 120 MPH WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. SHOWING 70 MPH WHILE STANDING STILL. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THIS PHENOMENON. DEALER STATED IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, HAD TO PULL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FROM DASH AND ULTIMATELY REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $595. *JB
2004 CHEVY TAHOE THAT HAS A SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS GOING 120 MPH WHEN IT IS SITTING STILL.. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GM HAS YET TO HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM..I BELIEVE THEY ARE WAITING FOR CONSUMERS TO DIE BEFORE THEY BRING THIS ISSUE TO THE FOREFRONT..CURRENT FIX IS A REPLA…
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2004 CHEVY TAHOE THAT HAS A SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS GOING 120 MPH WHEN IT IS SITTING STILL.. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GM HAS YET TO HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM..I BELIEVE THEY ARE WAITING FOR CONSUMERS TO DIE BEFORE THEY BRING THIS ISSUE TO THE FOREFRONT..CURRENT FIX IS A REPLACEMENT BEZEL FOR 600.00 ..IF THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE THEN WHY AREN'T WE FIXING IT?? *JB
MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 55 TO 120 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THEN IF YOU GIVE IT A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE RIGHT AGAIN. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT WOULD GO TO 120 AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND THEY SAID THEY "REBOOTED THE CLUSTER" AND IT'S WORKING FOR NOW. THEY SAID A L…
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MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 55 TO 120 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THEN IF YOU GIVE IT A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WOULD BE RIGHT AGAIN. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT WOULD GO TO 120 AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND THEY SAID THEY "REBOOTED THE CLUSTER" AND IT'S WORKING FOR NOW. THEY SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AND IT MAY ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. SO WHAT IF I HAVE MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 AND THEN MY SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 120? I SEE AN INSTANT ACCIDENT HAPPENING! CHEVROLET SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *JB
SPEEDOMETER IS DEFECTIVE. REGISTERS BETWEEN 35 AND 120 MPH WHEN CAR IS STOPPED. *NM
SPEEDOMETER ON 04 TAHOE STOPPED WORKING. *NM
04 SUBURBAN SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. SPEEDOMETER SAID 120 MPH WHEN SITTING STILL. THEN GOT STUCK ND WOULD DROP SLOWLY. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. IT SITS ON ZERO. *JB
OUR SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING AND WOULD EITHER SHO US GOING MUCH SLOWER OR MUCH FASTER THAN WE REALLY WERE. WE WERE HOPING THAT IT WAS JUST A SENSOR, BUT IT WAS THE WIRING IN THE DASH, THEY REQUIRED THAT WE SEND IN THE WHOLE FRONT MODULE AND THEY SENT US A NEW ONE WITH OUR OLD ODOMETER MILES ALREADY SET. THEY ALSO REQUIRED THAT…
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OUR SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING AND WOULD EITHER SHO US GOING MUCH SLOWER OR MUCH FASTER THAN WE REALLY WERE. WE WERE HOPING THAT IT WAS JUST A SENSOR, BUT IT WAS THE WIRING IN THE DASH, THEY REQUIRED THAT WE SEND IN THE WHOLE FRONT MODULE AND THEY SENT US A NEW ONE WITH OUR OLD ODOMETER MILES ALREADY SET. THEY ALSO REQUIRED THAT WE SEND IN THE OLD ONE. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THEY HAD JUST HAD TO REPLACE A PICKUPS SPEEDOMETER AS WELL. SAME YEAR, AND SIMILAR MODEL. *NM
I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON A 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN. AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR OF TRYING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO RELEASE THE SPARE TIRE HOIST ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE I COULD NOT ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE, I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALSO COULD NOT GET THE SPARE TIRE TO RELEASE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO TH…
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I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON A 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN. AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR OF TRYING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO RELEASE THE SPARE TIRE HOIST ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE I COULD NOT ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE, I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALSO COULD NOT GET THE SPARE TIRE TO RELEASE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE "BAD" HOIST. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I TRIED TO USE THE SPARE HOIST SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AGREED. THE DEALER ALSO SAID IT WAS MY FAULT FOR ABUSING THE HOIST (DRIVING ON DIRT ROADS) AND NOT PROPERLY SERVICING THE HOIST. NO WHERE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES IT TALK ABOUT SPARE TIRE HOIST MAINTENANCE. THE TOTAL COST FOR A FLAT TIRE WAS OVER $400 AND 7 HOURS OF MY TIME. *JB
ORIGINAL DATE WAS IN 2005 WHEN I COMPLAINED REGARDING THE CLICKING NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED TO THE LEFT. SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THEY HAD LUBRICATED THE STEERING WHEEL BOLTS. WELL AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK ON 12/01/06 FOR 30K MILE INSPECTION THE CLICKING NOISE IS NOW BACK, BUT WORSE WHEN REVERSING NOT O…
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ORIGINAL DATE WAS IN 2005 WHEN I COMPLAINED REGARDING THE CLICKING NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED TO THE LEFT. SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THEY HAD LUBRICATED THE STEERING WHEEL BOLTS. WELL AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK ON 12/01/06 FOR 30K MILE INSPECTION THE CLICKING NOISE IS NOW BACK, BUT WORSE WHEN REVERSING NOT ONLY HAS THE CLICKING NOISE RETURNED, BUT WHEN REVERSING HAVING MY STEERING WHEEL TURN LEFT I CAN FEEL THE TIRES SLIDING. AFTER TALKING TO SAME PERSONNEL IN SERVICING SHE IS BEING TOLD NOT TO LUBRICATE OR LOOSEN THE BOLTS OF THE STEERING WHEEL SINCE IT WILL NOT IMPROVE THE SITUATION. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL SHE JUST RECEIVED (01/04/06) A NOTICE STATING THAT CHEVROLET IS WORKING ON THE PROBLEM UNFORTUNATELY THEY (CHEVROLET/GMAC) WILL GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD TO MAKE A PART THAT WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED TO VERONICA OF MY FEARS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT SHE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE. I DID NOTIFY THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AS WELL AS THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP (WHERE THE WORK IS BEING DONE AND WAS PURCHASED FROM) THAT MY FEAR OF HAVING TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN OR REVERSING HAVING THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT WHAT IS THE GUARANTEE THAT THE TIRES WILL NOT SLIDE MAYBE HITTING SOMETHING FROM BEHIND. BOTH SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT CHEVROLET WOULD NOT SAY IT WAS SAFE FOR SOMEONE TO DRIVE WHEN IN FACT IT ISN'T. NOTHING CAN BE DONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE SINCE THERE IS NO PART ON THE MARKET TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MY COMPLAINT IS BASICALLY I FEEL THAT SINCE THERE ISN'T A PART CURRENTLY MADE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM MAKING A LEFT TURN OR REVERSING THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FIVE CHILDREN. *NM
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.
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