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2004 Chevrolet Suburban Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 204 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the electrical (35% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is 9th of 25 Suburban model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Electrical
72 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, ignition.
Vehicle speedometer displays an incorrect reading on the dash panel gauge. While in park or stopped, the gauge will show anywhere from 20-30 miles per hour and while driving will erratically jump from speed to speed. Rpm gauge is not working at all. Gas gauge, upon filling up, is slow to register to full.
Faulty speedometer. While idling, the speedometer would begin at approx 80 mpg and go higher as I started to drive (30 MPH read 110 MPH). Then it would gradually go down each time the vehicle came to a stop. It would take 5 - 10 stops before it would finally go to zero. This occurred over a couple of months and…
Brakes
49 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, power assist.
The brake lines on my Suburban were rotted (I did not know this until after) and they ruptured while I was on the highway towing a trailer. I only avoided a crash by downshifting and using my ebrake. This is a widespread issue from searching the web and I am shocked this is not already a recall.
Backing out of a parking space went to stop and brake pedal sunk to the floor ABS and brake light came on I put the truck in park opened the hood the master cylinder had fluid then looked under the truck and under the drivers side door brake fluid was leaking from 1 of the 2 steel rusted lines had the truck towed to a…
Engine
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2004 chevy Suburban w/80,000 mi. Used for towing rv-"reduced engine power". Codes are not specific for the problem and multiple repairs have not fixed problem. This is an extreme hazard when towing as rig cannot move off the road with so little power. I am reading many posts online for the same issue.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact was driving 70 MPH when the reduce engine power stability warning message displayed as the vehicle abnormally decelerated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the throttle body, throttle body sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be…
Transmission
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline, manual transmission.
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…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The speedometer malfunctioned and does not operate at all. The repair shop could not determine the cause of the failure and no repairs were made. At 40,000 miles, the dealer rotated the tires, but did not check the rotors. The failure mileage was 60,539 and current mileage…
Steering
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, column locking, steering wheel/handle bar, gear box.
: the contact stated without warning the speedometer stopped working. The dealership determined the speedometer cluster needed to be replaced. Also, while turning the contact felt a knocking in the steering. The dealership determined the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. Updated 2/7/2006 -
Under warranty, brought car in for loose, vibrating steering wheel in 2006. Dealership brought to our attention the need to replace a bolt on the steering shaft, was a warranty repair covered by gm and we did not have to pay (issued as recommended repair only if consumer brought to attention. Problem went away.…
Fuel system
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Had starting problems with my SUV. Towed to dealer, where I was told that the fuel pump went bad due to a clogged fuel filter. Called to complain to gm that the requirement to replace the fuel filter was not listed on their scheduled maintenance chart in the owner's manual, I was then told that the pump shorted out…
Vehicle speedometer displays an incorrect reading on the dash panel gauge. While in park or stopped, the gauge will show anywhere from 20-30 miles per hour and while driving will erratically jump from speed to speed. Rpm gauge is not working at all. Gas gauge, upon filling up, is slow to register to full.
Air bags
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
With cruise control on at 70mph, attempted to change from left to right lane. Another car sped up the right lane to pass me. Turned steering wheel back to left lane and suddenly had no control over steering, braking and the steering wheel started violently shaking. Car rolled twice, over metal median and turned 180…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The air bag warning light illuminated and the dealer, macmahon Chevrolet, performed a diagnostic and found no failures. However, they were able to get the light to dim. The following day the failure occurred and the light remained illuminated for approximately a week. The…
Speed control
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
I was traveling down the road at 60 MPH when the display said "reduced engine power" and my vehicle decreased in power. It didn't matter how much I pressed the accelerator the car would only go 10 miles an hour. I pulled over, checked under the hood, everything looked fine. Started it again, it drove fine for about 2…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact was driving 70 MPH when the reduce engine power stability warning message displayed as the vehicle abnormally decelerated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the throttle body, throttle body sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hydraulic pump failres
Summary
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.
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (72 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); brakes (49 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); engine (18 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 3, 2006 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Suburban?
- It is 9th of 25 Suburban model years by number of complaints, with 204 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.