no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT.
2004 Chevrolet SuburbanProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 204 owner complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 31, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban has problems
204 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
72Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
32Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
17Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
14Power train
14Steering
13Air bags
12Vehicle speed control
12Engine and engine cooling
12Fuel system, gasoline
5918 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 72 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 32 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 17 | 3 |
| Power train | 14 | 2 |
| Steering | 14 | 1 |
| Air bags | 13 | 7 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 12 | 0 |
| 18 other systems | 59 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2004 Chevrolet Suburban recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
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…
no report yet
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.
no report yet
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
58kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 59 electrical system complaints. 80% were reported before 100,000 miles.
8under 30k miles47under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Suburban year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Suburban median. How we score
1136971830625452189499858457360414201634282440286301204129232922131061171481011185943322014284794420812713447
'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Chevrolet Suburban safety ratings
2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, and the recalls they led to.
- HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRESLed to recall 05V-005
In owners' words
What Suburban owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the instrument panel gauges, and warning lights functionality became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not…
Brake/abs light on and ecbm for abs not working no anti lock brake system and for the electrical vehicle has all kinds of electrical issues had to remove fuse to radio because of it going bonkers and it wouldn't turn off or down sounds like a fax machine or old school dial up internet sounds all…
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
Own a 2004 Suburban?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.