Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 182

2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 2012120,000 milesND

AT RANDOM YOU WILL JUST BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A MESSAGE COMES ON THAT SAYS REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND THE T/C LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, IS VERY UNSAFE, AND IS GETTING WORSE. WE HAVE HAD WORK DONE TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM BUT ITS STILL HAPPENING. WE DON'T HAVE TONS OF MONEY TO FIX THIS, LIVE IN THE COUNTRY, AND HAVE 5 KIDS. THIS IS OUR ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND WE HAVE A RATHER LARGE LOAN ON THE THING AND ITS TURNING INTO YARD ART. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 23, 201291,717 milesIA

SPEEDO DOES NOT READ CORRECT, IT GETS STUCK AT VARIOUS NUMBERS...WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED ON OR OFF (SPEED CAN BE PLUS OR MINUS ACTUAL SPEED BY 5-55 MPH AT ANY GIVEN TIME. AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN, ALSO THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WILL GO PAST THE MARKED LIMIT WHEN THE TRUCK IS OFF, NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 9, 2011121,690 milesDE

I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON RT.1 IN DELAWARE I SEEN A CAR ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE AND OFF THE ROAD I APPLIED MY BRAKES HARD TO STOP AND HELP THAT IS WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED. AFTER CHECKING ON THE DRIVER I LIMPED MY TRUCK TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND DISCOVERS MY BRAKE LINE HAD ROTTED OUT UNDER MY TRUCK BY THE FRONT WHEEL. THE CLIPS THAT SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRAME SEEM TO BE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 30, 201185,000 milesOH

STEEL BRAKE LINES ON VEHICLE ARE SEVERELY CORRODED WITH OBVIOUS SECTION LOSS. BASED UPON MY EXPERIENCE WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE, A LINE FAILURE DUE TO RUPTURE IS IMMINENT AND ALL LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WILL BE NEITHER AN EASY NOR AN INEXPENSIVE TASK. ADDING INSULT TO INJURY IS THAT GM DOES NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT LINE SETS; IT'S ROLL YOUR OWN OR BUY AN (INCOMPLETE) AFTERMARKET SET (NO ONE OFFERS COMPLETE SET FOR JL4 REAR BRAKE ARRANGEMENT). THIS REALLY IS RIDICULOUS GIVEN THE COST, AGE, MILEAGE AND OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE. *KB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 18, 201149,000 milesCT

FAILURE OF BRAKE LINE AND LOSS OF FLUID WITH NO WARNING LIGHT UNTIL PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. MECHANIC HAS REPORTED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE, CALIPERS, SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY AND NO ACCESS TO THE BRAKE LINE AREA ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE WITHOUT CUTTING THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER ASSEMBLY OUT. ESTIMATE IS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR. BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT A WARNING - VERY SCARY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 12, 201195,000 milesMN

BACKING UP SNOWMOBILE TRAILER WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. LARGE PUDDLE UNDERNEATH TRUCK RIGHT BELOW WHERE THE 4 BRAKE LINES EXIT THE ABS AND GO OVER THE FRAME RAIL. *KB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 10, 201151,250 milesPA

MY 2004 SUBURBAN IS EXTREMELY WELL CARED FOR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 51,000 MILES AND IS KEPT IN PERFECT RUNNING AND PHYSICAL CONDITION. ON 10/8/2011 I WAS PERFORMING AN EXTENSIVE VISUAL CHECK OF THE BRAKE LINE ON THE VEHICLE AFTER READING OF SOME ISSUES WITH SIMILAR VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEMS HYDRAULIC LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED IN MULTIPLE AREAS. THESE LINES MUST BE REPLACED TO AVOID CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. ON A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND LIMITED MILEAGE THIS IS HIGHLY WORRISOME. I HAVE MULTIPLE OTHER VEHICLES OF CONSIDERABLY GREATER MILEAGE AND OF OLDER VINTAGE THAT HAVE NOT HAD THIS CORROSION ISSUE. I MENTION THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE SPENT THEIR ENTIRE SERVICE LIFE, TO DATE, IN THE SAME WEATHER/DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE MATERIALS USED FOR THESE BRAKE LINES ARE OF AN INFERIOR MATERIAL. A RECALL IS ABSOLUTELY IN ORDER AS THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING REPAIR THAT IS THE RESULT OF POOR QUALITY PARTS. *KB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 2011350,000 milesPA

2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN GOES INTO REDUCED POWER ENGINE W/O REASON CHANGE THE ENGINE, BECAUSE HIGH MILES, CHANGE TRANSMISSION, CHANGE THROTTLE BODY,CHANGE GAS PEDAL MODULE, CHANGE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SPEND OVER 4,000 ON THE TRUCK WITHOUT COUNTING THE ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR IN THE INTERSTATE 78 WEST BECAUSE OF THE LOST OF POWER, DEALERS DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM NEITHER THE LOCAL MECHANICS CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE ACTION IN THIS MATTER AND READ AT EDMONDS.COM AND SEE ALL THE COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 29, 2011152,000 milesLA

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY AND REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MY SUBURBAN SLOWS TO ABOUT 35MPH AND WILL NOT GO ANY FASTER. THIS OCCURS ABOUT 15 TIMES A MONTH. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING BEHIND ME WHEN IT COMES TO A SUDDEN SLOW IF I CAN NOT GET OFF THE ROAD. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. WE HAVE CHANGED THE THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONING SENSOR, MAP SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, KNOCK SENSOR, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES. NOTHING HAS WORKED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 6, 2011110,000 milesAL

OUR 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN LT HAS APPROXIMATELY 115K MILES. PERIODICALLY THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A COUPLE OF LIGHTS, STOPS WORKING. NO GAUGES, NO SPEEDOMETER, ETC. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAYS STRANGE AND RANDOM CHARACTERS, SOMETIMES THE DIC SECTION IS ALL BLUE, AND SOMETIMES IT IS BLANK. I HAVE TRIED DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER. THIS SEEMED TO WORK ONE TIME, BUT THE REST OF THE TIME THIS HAD NO EFFECT. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY PATTERN (DAY/NIGHT, HOT/COLD, ETC.) AS TO WHEN THIS MALFUNCTION WILL OCCUR, OR WHEN IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL. WE ARE IN DAY 2 OF AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE AT THIS TIME. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 6, 2011118,253 milesVA

I STARTED THE HOMEWARD SEGMENT OF AN 800 MILE TRIP ON JULY 4TH WEEKEND. SPEEDOMETER APPEARS TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY BECAUSE I MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST POLICE RADAR CHECKPOINT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND ENTERED A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. AFTER DRIVING AN ESTIMATED 50 MILES FOR THE DAY I WAS STOPPED BY THE STATE POLICE. HE SAID THAT HIS RADAR HAD ME GOING 74 IN A 55 SPEED ZONE WHEN ME SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 55 MPH. WHEN THE OFFICER INFORMED ME OF MY SPEED, I LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND SAW THE NEEDLE WAS BELOW 0 MPH. THE SCARY PART OF THIS IS THAT I DID NOT REALIZE THAT I WAS GOING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT, PROBABLY BECAUSE I WAS ACCLIMATED TO THE HIGHER INTERSTATE SPEED, MY SPEED ODOMETER INDICATED I WAS TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT, AND UP UNTIL THIS TIME I HAD NO INDICATION THAT MY SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I CONTINUED WITH THE TRIP AND USED MY GPS TO KEEP ME AT A SAFE SPEED THE REST OF THE TRIP. I COMPARED THE SPEEDOMETER MPH WITH THE GPS MPH MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE TRIP. THE SPEED ODOMETER WENT DOWN TO 0 MPH WHEN I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AFTER DRIVING AN ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL 40 MILES. AFTER DRIVING AN ADDITIONAL 30 MILES THE SPEED ODOMETER WAS INDICATING THE CORRECT SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED ABOUT 70% OF THE TRIP. IT WOULD ALTERNATE BETWEEN NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND WORKING CORRECTLY THROUGHOUT THE TRIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALER THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY BACK HOME. THE DEALER SAID THE WHOLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MUST BE REPL

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 17, 201171,920 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE IT FELL TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE DAMAGE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED WITH STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,920. UPDATED 08/05/11*LJ UPDATED 3/02/2012 *LN

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jun 14, 2011178,100 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, THE SUN ROOF ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN RIPPED OFF NARROWLY MISSING THE CAR FOLLOWING US. THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED AT TIME OF THE INCIDENT. OTHER THAN WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN AIR LEAK, THERE WAS NO WARNING OR OTHER INDICATION OF PROBLEMS. THE SUN ROOF HAS RARELY BEEN OPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND DEFINITELY HAD NOT BEEN OPENED IN THE PAST 2 YEARS AT LEAST. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 25, 201182,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE AND FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE NEEDLE WITHIN BOTH GAUGES WAS STUCK AND INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HOWEVER THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE THE NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE MILEAGE, ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING THE SPECIAL COVERAGE UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING UPON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 24, 201160,669 milesVA

GAUGE FAILURE, SPECIFICALLY THE SPEEDOMETER, ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND ALSO GETS STUCK AT A SPEED > THAN 75 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE IS GOING MUCH SLOWER THAN THAT AND THEN REGISTERS > 120MPH WHEN I AM GOING AROUND 60-65 MPH. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 19, 2011GA

TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE REPLACED BEFORE 70000 MILES DUE TO BEARING. PASSENGER AIR WENT OUT AND ONLY BLEW HOT AFTER A BATTERY CHANGE, HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE AIR SYSTEM. AIR SYSTEM WENT OUT AGAIN WITH 2ND BATTERY REPLACEMENT, BUT DEALER WAS ABLE TO "RESET" IT. SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES. BINDING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN , HAS BEEN LUBED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE WAITING FOR CHEVY TO ISSUE A RECALL ACCORDING TO DEALER. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNDER 15000 MILES A YEAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 11, 2011TX

2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 125000 MILES HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WITH THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND THE ALTERNATOR OR CHARGING SYSTEM GAUGE AFTER A DROP IN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE ENTIRE CLUSTER MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 20, 2010111,425 milesMI

WE HAD TO CHANGE A REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE AND THE SENSOR CONTROL WAS BROKEN. WE TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE. WHEN RETRIEVING THE SPARE WE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME GETTING IT OFF THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WINCH. AFTER STRUGGLING WITH THE SPARE TIRE FOR 30 MINUTES WE GOT IT RELEASED AND WHEN WE TRIED TO HOIST THE WINCH BACK UP, IT WOULD NOT GO UP. WE TRIED REPEATEDLY FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE TIRE WINCH HOLDER PART SO IT WOULDN'T HANG DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN CALLING ALL MORNING TO TRY TO FIND THE PART AND DRAPER CHEVROLET SAID THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART BUT MAINLY WHEN CUSTOMERS ARE TRYING TO RETRIEVE THE TIRE. MY INCIDENT IS DIFFERENT SINCE IT WOULDN'T GO BACK UP. DRAPER CHEVROLET DID NOT HAVE THIS PART IN STOCK AND I HAVE BEEN CALLING SALVAGE SHOPS AS WELL WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING WITHOUT A SPARE AND I DRIVE 60 MILES A DAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE BECAUSE THE OTHER TIRES SENSOR STEM BROKE ON ITS OWN. WHEN CALLING DRAPER CHEVROLET THEY SAID THE PART COST $170.42 NEW BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK. I WORK 8:30 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. MONDAY THRU FRIDAY AND CAN ONLY TAKE CARE OF THIS ON THE WEEKEND. WHICH THIS WEEKEND IS CHRISTMAS DAY. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND MY PREDICAMENT AND CAN HELP ME IN SOME WAY TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. I COME FROM A GENERAL MOTORS FAMILY AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Dec 3, 2010CA

2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN SPEEDOMETER STUCK AND MAX SPEED WITH 72,300 MILES. I ALSO OWN 2004 CHEVY TAHOE WITH OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STUCK AT MAXIMUM WITH 92,000 MILES. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Oct 20, 201085,000 milesCA

2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AIR CONDITIONING INTERMITTENTLY BLOWS HOT AIR ONLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE USING THE DUAL ZONE AC CONTROL. GM HAS NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. WHILE RESEARCHING FOUND THOUSANDS OF CHEVY OWNER ALL WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND WITH NO REAL FIX. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BATTERY/LOSS OF POWER AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE BEING DEFECTIVE. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 20, 201076,000 milesFL

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE RIGHT HINGE FOR THE LIFTGATE WINDOW HAS CRACKED AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE WINDOW COULD FALL OFF IF WIND GETS WITHIN THE WINDOW AND THE HINGES. GM IS IGNORING ANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 1, 2010LA

SPEEDOMETER HAS COMPLETELY FAILED ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THIS IS A KNOWN, WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS A SAFETY ISSUE ... AND REFUSES TO MAKE GOOD ON ... DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPENSATED BY THE PARTS SUPPLIER. IT'S TIME FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STEP IN, DECLARE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE (WHICH IT IS), AND ENCOURAGE GENERAL MOTORS TO MAKE GOOD ON THESE FAULTY PARTS ... IRRESPECTIVE OF THE ARBITRARY MILEAGE CUTOFF THEY HAVE IMPOSED. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND ON THE ISSUE, FROM A MEDIA SOURCE... HTTP://WWW.WTHR.COM/GLOBAL/STORY.ASP?S=7434450. *TR

Tires
Filed Jun 22, 2010110,611 milesMI

A TIRE BLEW OUT. SPARE TIRE HOIST WAS INOPERABLE. HAD TO CUT SPARE TIRE HOIST OFF WITH A RECIPROCATING SAW. ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 4 HOURS. HAVE HEARD OF MANY WITH SAME PROBLEM. POOR DESIGN IN A HIGHLY CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 7, 2010105,000 milesCT

MY WIFE OWNS TWO GM SUBURBANS, 2002 AND 2004. BOTH EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO ROTTING BRAKE LINES WITHIN A WEEK OF EACH OTHER. I HAVE PAID OVER $2,000.00 TO HAVE THEM BOTH REPAIRED. THE 2002 FAILURE SENT ME OUT INTO THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME UNABLE TO STOP. THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE 2004 OCCURRED WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP WITH MOST OF MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. THIS IS THE ONE THAT SPURS MY EFFORTS TO COMPLAIN. I COULD LOSE IT WHEN CONSIDERING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY DUE TO THESE FAILURES ON TWO VERY EXPENSIVE CARS WHICH I WOULD NEVER HAVE EXPECTED TO FAIL LIKE THIS. I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH NOT TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE AND IF I CAN GET A REFUND FOR THE COSTLY REPAIR THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I HAVE PRESERVED THE ROTTED BRAKE LINES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2010150,000 milesIL

2004 1500 SUBURBAN STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. NO SERVICE CODES TO POINT TO TROUBLES. A SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THE AMOUNT PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE. CHANGED CRANK POSITIONER SENSOR, PLUGS, AND INJECTOR CLEANER. NO CHANGE NO HELP FROM DEALER WITHOUT SPENDING THOUSANDS. IT IS STALLING ON BUSY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS NO ACCIDENT YET BUT VERY CLOSE CALLS. IT HAPPENS NOW EVERY DAY MOSTLY AFTER WARMED UP AND STOPPING AND SPEEDING UP AGAIN. I READ ONLINE THAT CA HAS A RECALL BUT NOTHING NATION WIDE. I DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO TRADE OR SPEND THOUSANDS FOR A DEFECT THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jun 2, 201081,100 milesTX

GAUGE FOR SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK OR DOESN'T MEASURE AT ALL. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS ABOVE THE 70K AMOUNT & 80K. I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED ON THIS ISSUE. BUT YET I GET MAILINGS FOR SERVICE WORK. THE FAILURE IS ONGOING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 17, 201074,000 milesSC

SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE READINGS, AND OFTEN STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY. *TR

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed May 3, 201098,912 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE REAR WINDOW FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE HINGES HOLDING THE WINDOW TO THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN. THE REAR WINDOW IS HARDLY EVER OPENED, SO IT CANNOT BE DUE TO OVERUSE. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT MAY HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. INSTEAD I ONLY HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE REAR WINDOW. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT THAT THE MAKER OF THE VEHICLE DENIES THAT IT IS HAPPENING. *TR

Visibility
Filed May 1, 201098,000 milesNC

BACK GLASS OF THE 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IT COULD COME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WORSE IT COULD FALL ON SOMEBODY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR

Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly
Filed Apr 29, 201089,500 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT SECURE IN THE BUCKLE HOUSING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FASTEN THE SAFETY BELT, THE RECEIVER CLASP FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVERS SAFETY BELT WOULD NOT REMAIN SECURED IN THE BUCKLE HOUSING WITH VERY LITTLE FORCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILES WERE 89,500.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 18, 2010133,600 milesTN

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE; DRIVER SIDE MIRROR DEFECTS; HEAD LAMPS & LOOSE STEERING COLUMN. BIGGEST ISSUE IS TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. SITUATION WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT WAS NIGHT-TIME DRIVING WITH LITTLE OR NO OPPORTUNITY TO GET VEHICLE OFF THE INTERSTATE. OTHER FAMILY VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR GOES OUT GRADUALLY, AS THE LIQUID THAT DEFROSTS THE MIRROR GOES BAD AND LEAKS INTO THE MIRROR. THIS MIRROR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AT THE COST OF $400+. THIS MIRROR IS ALSO A HAZARD AS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO USE THE MIRROR TO ADEQUATE LANE AND TRAFFIC MANEUVERING. THE STEERING COLUMN ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE LOOSE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, AS OF TODAY'S DATE, TO CORRECT THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE AS IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 14, 201045,000 milesMD

I BOUGHT A NEW 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 LS IN EARLY SEPTEMBER 2005. ONE EVENING I WENT TO A RESTAURANT TO EAT, WENT INSIDE AND WAS SEATED. MAYBE 5 MINUTES PASSED, COULD HAVE BEEN LESS. THE OWNER BEGAN YELLING THAT A VEHICLE IN THE LOT WAS ON FIRE. I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A CAR NEXT TO MINE BELLOWING SMOKE. I RAN OUTSIDE TO MOVE MY 2004 SUBURBAN AWAY FROM THE BURNING CAR AND TO MY AMAZEMENT DISCOVERED IT WAS MY SUBURBAN! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG SUCH AS AN OVER-HEATED ENGINE. NO INDICATION OF ANY MALFUNCTION WHATSOEVER. THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OFF WHEN THIS FIRE STARTED. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 21, 201090,000 milesTN

SPEEDOMETER STICKS THEN AT IDLE IT SAYS YOU ARE GOING 70 MPH. IF YOU START AND STOP THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE IT COMES DOWN 5 MILES PER HOUR AND EVENTUALLY YOU GET BACK TO ZERO. HOWEVER, IT WILL DO THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TELL YOU HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING AND I ALMOST LOST IS ON A 45 MILE HOUR TURN SPEEDO SAID I WAS GOING 120 BUT IN REALITY AFTER STOPPING THE SUBURBAN I FIGURED OUT I WAS DOING ABOUT 55. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL MILEAGE AND IS A DEFECT. CHEVY RECALLED, I BELIEVE, UP TO 30,000 MILES. OWNERS SAY IT HAPPENS AT 20,000; 40,000; 50,000, AND WELL ANY MILEAGE. I HAD 90,000 WHEN MINE STARTED. I READ ONE PERSON WHO AT 90,000 GOT HIS FIXED FREE. CHEVY WOULDN'T FIX MINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CALLED. PLEASE HELP. I REPORTED TO CHEVY BUT THEY WOULDN'T FIX. INTERNET SAYS IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANY OF THE GAUGES IN THE CLUSTER. THERE IS A GUY IN OREGON THAT REPLACES THE 6 STEPPER MOTORS. CHEVY SHOULD DO THIS FOR US. I'VE OWNED CHEVY'S ALL MY LIFE (I"M 49) BUT IF THEY DON'T FIX THIS I'M DONE. I'D RATHER HAVE A TOYOTA AT LEAST THEY ARE RECALLING. DO A GOOGLE SEARCH - EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 18, 201060,000 milesGA

2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN - ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING UP. IT WOULD SAY I WAS DOING 10 MPH WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD BE GOING 30 OR 35 AND IT WOULD SAY I WAS GOING 110 MPH. THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS BEFORE IT FINALLY JUST QUIT WORKING. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A GPS JUST TO KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING. I HAVE HEARD AND READ OF MANY OTHER CASES EXACTLY LIKE THIS. SEEMS TO ME THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. I DON'T HAVE THE $400 OR $500 THEY WANT TO FIX IT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 14, 201092,000 milesNV

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICE MY SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING ON MY 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN. MY WIFE CALLED HENDERSON CHEVROLET. THEY ASKED WHAT OUR MILEAGE WAS. IT WAS 92,000 MILES. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST OVER $800.00. I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER TILL I PUT A SEARCH IN ON THE INTERNET. CAN SOMEONE HELP US? *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 12, 201060,000 milesCT

SPEEDOMETER (PIN OR NEEDLE) FREEZES AND PERIODICALLY FLUCTUATES. THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. UPON APPROACHING A HILL, CURVE OR BAD WEATHER THE DRIVER IS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE SPEED PROPERLY,MAKING THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. *TR

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Feb 19, 201060,000 milesFL

DEFECT HORNS IN 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500, WE HAD TO REPLACE IT 2 TIMES AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Feb 10, 201036,000 milesIA

FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER ON GMC/CHEVY SUBURBAN, 2004 YEAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND GMC/CHEVY DEALER INSIST THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. SINCE REPLACING THE FIST CLUSTER, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE COMPLAINTS NOTED ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT AN EXCEPTIONAL DEFECT. THE FAILURE HAS COME AFTER ABOUT TWO TO THREE YEARS OF USE, AND IS WORSE IN WINTER, BUT OCCURS INCONSISTENTLY YEAR AROUND. I HAVE NOT YET HAD AN ACCIDENT, BUT I DID RUN OUT OF GAS IN A RURAL AREA IN THE WINTER BECAUSE THE GAUGE SAID I HAD HALF A TANK WHEN IT WAS INFACT EMPTY. SPEED IS AN ISSUE IN ICY ROAD CONDITIONS BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW IF YOUR SPEED IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE CONDITIONS WHEN THE SPEED SHOWS ZERO OR BOUNCES AROUND INCONSISTENTLY. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 30K MILES FOR EACH CLUSTER. LACK OF SUPPORT BY GM ON THIS IS DISCONCERTING. PLEASE ASSIST. *TR

Tires
Filed Feb 8, 2010110,000 milesNE

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND HAD A FLAT TIRE. I COULD NOT GET MY SPARE TIRE TO COME DOWN AS IT WAS SEIZED UNDER TH BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD A REPAIR SHOP FIX IT AND THEY ADVISED ME THIS IS COMMON ON ALL GENERAL MOTOR VEHICLES THAT SALT GET INSIDE THEM AND RUSTS OUT THE SPARE TIRE HOIST UNIT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE TIRE DOWN. I AM CONCERNED AS IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND KIDS ON A COLD NIGHT. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE UNTIL THEY GET STRANDED WITH A FLAT TIRE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 17, 201079,200 milesPA

SLOWING DOWN COMING TO STOP ABOUT 7TO 4 MPH THE ABS SENSORS TELLS THE ABS PUMP TO TURN ON MAKING A GROWLING NOISE THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THE OLDER MODELS HAD THERE FIX WAS TO BRING THEM IN TO A DEALER AND PULL AND CLEAN THE ABS SENSORS OR REPLACE IF FOUND BAD . I TOOK MINE IN FOR AN ABS SENSOR LIGHT ON AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT SENSOR WAS BAD BUT THE LEFT NEEDED TO BE PULLED AND CLEANED BUT THEY SAID IF THE WENT TO PULL IT AND IT BROKE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT SENSOR INSTEAD OF THE CLEANING COST WHICH IS ABOUT $250.00 TO REPLACE PART AND LABOR THIS WAS IN DEC 2009. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 9, 201088,488 milesCA

MY 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WITH 88,000 MILES HAS A FAULTY SPEEDOMETER AND I AM UNABLE TO TELL WHAT SPEED I AM GOING AT ALL TIMES! I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD AND A 6 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR WITH ME OFTEN AND THIS CAUSES ME GREAT CONCERN OVER THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND I. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 18, 2009101,000 milesSC

2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN SPEEDOMETER READING IS INACCURATE, READING ANYWHERE FROM 20 TO 50 MPH TOO HIGH. THIS IS A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING DUE TO INABILITY TO ACCURATELY GAUGE SPEED, CAUSING TENDENCY TO DRIVE TOO SLOWLY. RUN RISK OF TRAFFIC TICKET. CHEVY DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM BUT ONLY PROVIDES SPECIAL ISSUE SERVICE FOR VEHICLES BETWEEN 70,000 TO 80,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. *TR

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Nov 18, 2009120,000 milesIA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HOUSING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE WHEN HE NEEDED IT. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE SPARE TIRE HOUSING MALFUNCTION HAS REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTERER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HER TO HAVE THE HOUSING UNIT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 20, 200986,450 milesCA

SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. UNSURE OF MY SPEED VERY UNSAFE. *TR

Wheels
Filed Sep 30, 200965,000 milesMD

2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500 FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT EVERY 35,000 MILES IS SAFETY ISSUE ALL SUBURBAN OWNERS NEED TO BE INFORMED ABOUT. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Sep 23, 200978,000 milesTX

BOUGHT MY 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN IN FEB. 2008. IT HAD 75,000 MILES ON IT. DROVE IT FOR A MONTH AND THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD FLUCTUATE 3-4 MPH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE WORK FINE FOR A WEEK OR SO BEFORE ACTING UP. AT 92,000 MILES SPEEDOMETER WENT TOTALLY OUT, READING 0 ONE MINUTE AND BOUNCING TO 120 THE NEXT. NOW IT JUST SITS ON ZERO FOR MOST OF THE TIME. WOULD NOT KNOW IF IT EVER READ THE CORRECT MPH IF IT WASN'T FOR THE GPS. HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING YET. BUT WILL HAVE TO SHORTLY BECAUSE THE TEXAS SAFETY INSPECTION IS DUE IN NOVEMBER. I THINK THIS IS WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRADED IT IN AND DIDN'T TELL ANY ONE. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 18, 200940,000 milesTX

WE OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 CURRENT MILES. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AT 20,000 MILES. AT SOME POINT AFTER 36000 WE STARTED NOTICING A "CLUNKING" IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN WE WOULD TURN THE WHEEL. I AN EMPLOYED AT A SCHOOL AND IT HAS HAD TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM REPAIRED ON 3 OF IT'S 2004 CHEVROLET 1500 SUBURBANS, EACH WITH JUST OVER THE 36,000 WARRANTY MILEAGE. EACH COST ABOUT $370.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 26, 200980,000 milesWV

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500 WITH 90K MILES. IN NOVEMBER 2008 AT 80K MILES I NOTICED THE HEATER WASN'T HEATING. CHECKED AF TO FIND IT WAS A GAL LOW. NO LEAKS DETECTED ANYWHERE AND NO SMOKING FROM EXHAUST. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO 3 GARAGES INCLUDING ONE AUTHORIZED GM DEALER, ALL DIAGNOSTIC TEST WERE NEGATIVE FOR CRACKED HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS. SUGGESTIVE OF PROBLEM BUT NOT DEFINITIVE. THE GM DEALER STARTED AN OIL CONSUMPTION STUDY D/T HAVING TO ADD 1 - 1.5 QUARTS OIL EVERY 1500 - 2000 MILES. IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP UNTIL JUNE 2009 WHEN WE EXPERIENCE SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING BUT NOT SMOKING. I CHANGED THE OIL AGAIN AND DROVE THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING. MADE IT 25 MILES WHEN OIL PRESSURE DROPPED AGAIN AND ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. I ACTUALLY DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME UNDER FULL POWER BUT ALARMS GOING OFF AND NO OIL PRESSURE. I PULLED THE OIL PAN OFF AND FOUND THE ROD BEARINGS BURNED AND CRYSTALLIZED. NOW LOOKING AT NEW ENGINE. GM DENIES PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL ENGINE AND REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. JUST PRIOR TO EXPERIENCING THE ENGINE PROBLEMS WE DID HAVE TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALL OF INSTANCES STARTED AROUND 80K MILES. *TR

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Aug 6, 200989,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS CRACKING IN A SPIDER WEB PATTERN. SHE STATED THAT THE TINT ON THE GLASS WAS WEBBING IN A PATTERN. SHE THEN NOTICED THAT THE GLASS WAS EXPANDING AS IF SOMETHING WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND PUSHING THE GLASS OUTWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE GLASS TO SHATTER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURE OCCURRING ON THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE GLASS SHOP FOR REPAIR AT THE COST OF $190. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,015.

Power Train
Filed Jun 29, 200981,000 milesMN

TRANSFERCASE ON SUBURUBAN BEGAN TO LEAK AROUND 80K MILES WHEN YOU PUT ON LIFT YOU'LL SEE LITTLE PIN HOLES IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY DESIGN WHERE THE PUMP RUBS A HOLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE T-CASE TO THE OUTSIDE. NUMEROUS COMPANIES HAVE MADE A MOD KIT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WHICH GM HAS NOT. YOU CAN PUT A TEMP BANDAGE ON IT USING JB WELD BUT THE CASE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 → · Every Suburban 1500 year → · How the figures are calculated →