THE TRUCK FAILS TO RESTART AFTER DRIVING IT AN AT FIRST IT WOULD RESTART AFTER 15 - 20 MINUTES AFTER IT SITS AN NOW IT DOES NOT START AT ALL SO FAR I KNOW IT IS HAPPENING TO MORE THAN 20 VEHICLES INCLUDING THE STATE PATROL 2016 SUBURBANS AND SEVERAL OF THE PICKUPS
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 reportsCRACKED DASH, NEVER REMOVED, GARAGE KEPT. CRACKED RUNS THROUGH DASH FROM FRONT WINDOW TOWARDS RADIO CLUSTER. DASH HAS SHARP PIECES THAT IN ACCIDENT CAN EASILY BE BROKEN OFF.
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE SNAPPED OFF, 4 OF THEM TO BE EXACT. EXHAUST FUMES CAN NOW LEAK INTO TO THE CAB AND POISON OCCUPANTS.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHORTS OUT AND GEAR INDICATOR GOES BLANK. NO MESSAGE CENTER INFORMATION WARNINGS ARE DISPLAYED. PART IS DEFECTIVE AND CAR MAKERS SHOULD REPLACE IT. NOT KNOWING WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN CAN LEAD TO DEATH IF VEHICLE LEFT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLLS AWAY. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. ALSO 4L60E TRANSMISSIO…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHORTS OUT AND GEAR INDICATOR GOES BLANK. NO MESSAGE CENTER INFORMATION WARNINGS ARE DISPLAYED. PART IS DEFECTIVE AND CAR MAKERS SHOULD REPLACE IT. NOT KNOWING WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN CAN LEAD TO DEATH IF VEHICLE LEFT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLLS AWAY. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. ALSO 4L60E TRANSMISSION ON THESE VEHICLES FAILS AND STARTS SLIPPING BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE SUN SHELL AND REAL PISTON SEAL. GM SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE BAD TRANSMISSIONS. WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOR LIFE. WHY SHOULD SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART TO REPAIR FAIL UNDER NORMAL USE? RECALL ! BOTH THESE PARTS FAIL WHEN DRIVING. ALL WARNING OF VEHICLE CONDITIONS ARE SENT TO FAILED CLUSTER. VEHICLE WAS MADE IN MEXICO FOR RE-IMPORTATION AND SALE IN USA AND MAYBE PARTS SUPPLIERS IN MEXICO PROVIDED DEFECTIVE PARTS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED FINANCIAL LOSS TRYING TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS, LASTLY, THE EMISSION SOLENOID NEAR THE TANK ALSO FAILS. VEHICLE MAY NOT PASS EMISSION. *TR
WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE I APPLIED MY BRAKES SUDDENLY. THE BAKE LIKE CONNECTING THE ABS UNIT AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION/RUST THAT WAS NOT OBSERVABLE DUE TO THE LINE BEING RAN BETWEEN THE VEHICLES FRAME AND BODY AND GAS TANK. ALTHOUGH THIS LOCATION MIGHT HAVE MADE FOR EASY MANUFACTURING IT HAS LED TO THE LI…
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WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE I APPLIED MY BRAKES SUDDENLY. THE BAKE LIKE CONNECTING THE ABS UNIT AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION/RUST THAT WAS NOT OBSERVABLE DUE TO THE LINE BEING RAN BETWEEN THE VEHICLES FRAME AND BODY AND GAS TANK. ALTHOUGH THIS LOCATION MIGHT HAVE MADE FOR EASY MANUFACTURING IT HAS LED TO THE LINE BEING IN A LOCATION THAT CANNOT BE VISUALLY INSPECTED TO PREVENT DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FROM BUILDING UP FROM LACK OF AWARENESS. .
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE (VEHICLE HAS 95,387) MILES) AT 40 MPH IN MOTION. STABIL-TRAC LIGHT INDICATED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, SERVICE BRAKE INDICATOR ON DISPLAY INFORMATION CONSOLE. . DEPLOYED 4WD LOW, DROPPED TO LOWER GEAR AND HIT EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON SHOULDER OF ROAD. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE SAW BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER…
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TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE (VEHICLE HAS 95,387) MILES) AT 40 MPH IN MOTION. STABIL-TRAC LIGHT INDICATED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, SERVICE BRAKE INDICATOR ON DISPLAY INFORMATION CONSOLE. . DEPLOYED 4WD LOW, DROPPED TO LOWER GEAR AND HIT EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON SHOULDER OF ROAD. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE SAW BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE SKIDS AND FRAME. CAUSE: TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP INDICATED THAT BRAKE LINES ON DRIVER SIDE AND LINES GOING TO FRONT WHEEL WERE COMPLETELY RUSTY AND "LIKE PAPER". THIS WAS UNSETTLING I DON'T LIVE NEAR SALTWATER BUT DRIVE THE VEHICLE A LOT IN WINTER. HAD I BEEN IN A DENSELY POPULATED AREA, THERE CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN LOSS OF LIFE. THIS VEHICLE WEIGHS OVER 6000 LBS AND NO BRAKES IS LIKE TO TRYING TO STOP A TRAIN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE SIMILAR FAILURES AS THIS FAILURE IN SIMILAR VEHICLES/ANY VEHICLE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE.
2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN - SUDDEN & COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VEHICLE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED IN JULY THROUGH THE VA STATE INSPECTION PROGRAM - NO ISSUES FOUND - TODAY ON 8/30/16 WHILE EXITING A FREEWAY RAMP AT 60MPH TRAFFIC CAME TO SUDDEN STOP. WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A ST…
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2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN - SUDDEN & COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VEHICLE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED IN JULY THROUGH THE VA STATE INSPECTION PROGRAM - NO ISSUES FOUND - TODAY ON 8/30/16 WHILE EXITING A FREEWAY RAMP AT 60MPH TRAFFIC CAME TO SUDDEN STOP. WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A STAB/EMERGENCY BRAKING MANEUVER THERE WAS A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE - PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKE WOULD NOT PUMP UP ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO SLOW VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A COMBINATION OF PARKING BRAKE APPLICATION AND UTILIZING THE SOFT SHOULDER AND DITCH TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR (RED) AND SERVICE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL AFTER THE THIRD OR FOURTH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. SUBURBAN WAS TOWED. CAUSATIVE FACTORS = RUPTURED BRAKE LINE.
BRAKE LINE (HARD LINE) CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. UNABLE TO STOP ON COMING TO HIGHWAY INTERSECTION USING HYDRAULIC BRAKES. HAD TO RESORT TO APPLYING PARKING BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. ON INSPECTION MAIN BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE RUPTURED- FLUID SPEWED ON ROADWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 1/2 OF FLUID FROM MASTER CYLINDER. LIMITED RESIDUAL PRESSURE FR…
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BRAKE LINE (HARD LINE) CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. UNABLE TO STOP ON COMING TO HIGHWAY INTERSECTION USING HYDRAULIC BRAKES. HAD TO RESORT TO APPLYING PARKING BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. ON INSPECTION MAIN BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE RUPTURED- FLUID SPEWED ON ROADWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 1/2 OF FLUID FROM MASTER CYLINDER. LIMITED RESIDUAL PRESSURE FROM SECONDARY WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT MECHANICAL ASSIST FROM PARKING BRAKE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
DRIVING AS NORMAL ATTEMPT TO STOP AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES. COASTED TO STOP LUCKILY NOT TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED. INSPECTION REVEALED RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES. AND ALL FLUID GONE FROM MASTER CYLINDER.
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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