Page 2 of 5 · complaints 51–100 of 204

2004 Chevrolet Suburban 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 →

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 20, 201342,100 milesPA

THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500 FAILED DURING AN ATTEMPTED STOP. THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. SUBSEQUENT TESTING OF THE BRAKES REVEALED THAT THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM LINES LEAVING THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS SPRAYING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE ENGINE CAUSING SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED THROUGH CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. IT WAS STATED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS CORROSION WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS WHERE SALT IS USED ON THE ROADS FOR WINTER DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $2,500. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR SNOW PLOWING OR SPREADING ROAD SALT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 8, 201268,000 milesMA

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED .TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,THEY WANTED $500 TO REPLACE. TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND TRIED TO NEGOTIATE A LOWER PRICE AND ALSO FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND THAT SOME CUSTOMERS REPORT ONLINE THAT THEY HAVE GOT THE DEALER TO REPLACE AT NO COST. MY CLUSTER HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM SEEKING TO HAVE GM REPAIR IT FOR FREE.. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 201290,000 milesNY

DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SUDDENLY AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON AS WELL AS THE BRAKE "IDIOT" LIGHT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 201260,817 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING IN AN URBAN AREA I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING DOWN MORE THAN USUAL AND WENT DOWN EVEN MORE AS I WAITED FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO CHANGE. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND FOUND THE LEVEL ABOUT AN INCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW A SMALL POOL OF BRAKE FLUID FORMING ON THE DRIVE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. FURTHER SEARCH SHOWED THAT A BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING AND ALL THE LINES WERE BADLY CORRODED. I CALLED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER ADDING FLUID TO THE RESERVOIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED MY FINDING AND INDICATED THAT ALL THE LINES WERE SO BADLY RUSTED THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY FAIL SOON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT THEY ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE LINES IN THEIR CURRENT CONDITION. THE LABOR TO REPLACE THE LINES WAS $1,200. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 14, 2012110,000 milesMD

THE SPEEDOMETER GIVES A FALSE READING THAT COULD CAUSE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AT AN UNSAFE SPEED. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER SEEMED TO BE GIVING A FALSE READING. USING A GPS MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT I WAS UNKNOWINGLY TRAVELING AT A SPEED VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE SPEED LIMIT. THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT . THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2012112,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 17, 201239,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. ...UPDATED 10/17/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY WARNING LIGHTS. GM OFFERED A CREDIT TOWARDS PURCHASING A NEW CHEVROLET VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DECLINED. UPDATED 10/17/2012 *JS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CALIPERS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED, ALONG WITH THE FRONT CALIPER HOSES AND FRONT ROTORS, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO CRACK AND WEAR UNEVENLY. UPDATED EVOQ 10/24/12 UPDATED EVOQ 11/21/12

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2012130,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF HOWEVER, THE ABS CONTINUED IN OPERATION, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 3, 2012140,000 milesLA

THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AT INTERSTATE AND LOW SPEEDS AND SHOW REDUCED POWER AND STABILITY SYSTEM DISABLED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, I WAS NEARLY KILLED ON THE INTERSTATE BY AND 18 WHEELER COMING UP BEHIND ME WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN.. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 24, 201280,000 milesFL

I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED JULY 2, 2012 THAT INDICATED THAT THE TIRES I PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED FROM PEPBOYS WERE DEFECTIVE AND COULD BLOW APART WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES HAD DOT SERIAL NUMBER UT T6 PA7. SO, I TOOK THE LETTER AND VEHICLE BACK TO PEPBOYS BUT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL. IN ANY EVENT, THEY DID REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT ARE STILL SELLING THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BECASE THE TIRES THEY INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE, FOR THE SECOND TIME, HAD DOT SERIAL UT T6 PA7. SO, IT APPEARS THAT I AM STILL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 22, 2012133,000 milesCA

HEARD RATTLE AND A WIND NOISE AS IF A DOOR OR WINDOW WAS PARTIALLY OPEN. REAR LIFTGATE GLASS PASSENGER SIDE HINGE PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM WINDOW GLASS, ALLOWING THE STRUT WHICH LIFTS THE WINDOW UP NORMALLY TO PUSH THE TOP EDGE OF THE WINDOW UP ABOUT AN INCH. WHAT MAKES THIS DANGEROUS IS THAT IF AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE WIND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT THE LIFTED GLASS EDGE AND STRESS IT ENOUGH TO SHATTER AND INJURE SOMEONE OR DAMAGE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 17, 2012125,000 milesUT

THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE STABILITY SYSTEM DISENGAGE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALSO. THE VEHICLE WOULD GO DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 1500 RPM AND DROP THE SPEED TO 50-55 MPH, ON THE FREEWAY. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 AND WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF 3 LANES. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES NOW. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC 3 TIMES. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RAN EACH TIME AND EVERY TIME THERE DIFFERENT CODES THAT POP UP, ONE DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 201298,100 milesCT

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. *JS

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 9, 2012149,000 milesOR

WAS DRIVING AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED; TRYING TO STOP WHEN WHAT FELT LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICKED ON AND THE MESSAGE "TRACTION ACTIVE" APPEARED ON MY CONSOLE. THIS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THEN WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE WOULD LUG DOWN AND NOT WANT TO GO. THERE WAS ALSO A NOISE, LIKE A PUMP OR SOMETHING WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. TURNING OFF THE STABILITRACK SEEMS TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING, WHICH IN TURN MEANS I DO NOT HAVE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF TRYING TO MERGE, PASS THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OR WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Dec 6, 201184,000 milesVA

ON MY CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2004; SPEEDOMETER FAILED. MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE. IT NO LONGER CALCULATES SPEED. IT IS STUCK POINTING (RESTING) PAST FASTEST LABEL OF 120MPH. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 15, 201163,200 milesNY

WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, I TRIED TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES!! I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. UPON CHECKING, ALL BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED THROUGH. ALL BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FRONT CALIPERS. CORROSION WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE LINES AND CALIPERS.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 18, 201160,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE INOPERABLE. THE ALTERNATOR AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Sep 27, 201180,000 milesTX

TL* 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 REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,632.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 13, 2011130,000 milesTX

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AFTER EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM GAUGE. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE FAULTY GAUGES AND AS OF THIS DATE HAS NOT MADE A RECALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSIDERING ALL LEGAL REMEDIES AFFORDED BY LAW AS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE RECTIFIED BY GM BY REPLACING THE AFOREMENTIONED FAULTY FACTORY EQUIPMENT. *TR

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 8, 201190,000 milesTX

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 DEGREES FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON THE INTERSTATE W/ ROOF CRUSHED IN. NEITHER SIDE OR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT AND SIDES SMASHED IN AND FRAME BENT. VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TO BE TOTALED BY STATE FARM. HAVE BEEN DRIVING 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY LIFE. ONLY GOOD THING WAS THE SEATBELT HELD TIGHT AS I WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE DAY BEFORE THIS OCCURRED I NOTICED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD RANDOMLY ENGAGE DURING STRAIGHT DRIVING ON A PERFECTLY DRY SURFACE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER IN 2004 AND THE CAR WAS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. (IT LOOKED BRAND NEW). *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 23, 201154,000 milesLA

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 WHICH I BOUGHT USED IN 2006. SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK EITHER WITH DECREASED SPEED OR WITH THE HAND HELD REMOTE. YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO REACH BACK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH YOUR HAND. NOW, IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE REMOTE STILL WORKS BUT IT IS NOT UNLOCKING ANY OF THE DOORS AND YOU MUST USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE MOTORS IN EACH DOOR FOR THE LOCKS AND THAT REPLACING THEM ARE EXPENSIVE, SO I'M WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY KIND OF RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Visibility
Filed Jul 5, 201179,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE BEGAN TO MANUALLY OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE. WHILE OPENING THE LIFT GATE, THE GLASS DETACHED FROM THE HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 9, 201193,409 milesMI

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN WITH 93409 MILE, HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICE IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME STARTING. LAST WK WE RAN OUT OF GAS AT 1.4 TANK AND THIS WEEKEND WHILE THE FAMILY WAS ON A TRIP PULLING A TRAILER WE RAN OUT OF GAS AT 1/2 TANK, IF YOU GO BY THE GAS GAGE. WE COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT IF WE WERE ON A HILL, OR SOMETHING WHEN WE ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE NO POWERSTEERING, BRAKES, ETC. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 2, 201165,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 18, 201175,000 milesWA

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. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 2011106,121 milesTN

SPEEDOMETER BEGAN READING INCORRECTLY, PEGGED OUT AT MAXIMUM, DRIFTS AIMLESSLY, THEN STICKS AGAIN. CANNOT GET SPEEDOMETER TO RESET OR READ CORRECTLY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 15, 2011104,788 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED REDUCED ENGINE POWER. SHE ENGAGED HER HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. WHEN SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE REDUCED ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AGAIN AND RESTARTED IT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,788.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Dec 8, 201056,000 milesMT

THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING OR GETS JUMPY AND SPORADIC IN WHEN AND HOW IT WORKS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 57000 MILES ON IT. THE ONLY EVENT THAT WE THOUGHT CAUSED IT WAS THE REALLY COLD TEMPERATURES BUT ITS WARMER NOW AND COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. IT IS EVERYTIME WE ARE IN THE VEHICLE DRIVING THAT IT DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE NOT GOT IT FIXED YET. RESEARCHING PROBLEM FIRST TO MAKE SURE NO RECALLS WERE DONE ON IT FIRST. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 13, 201037,520 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY AND CONTINUED TO FEEL WEAKENED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR FOR THE FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FIVE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGE AT LOW SPEED AND THE BRAKES WOULD FEEL SHAKY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,520 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Equipment
Filed May 11, 2010WI

2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATES UNSATISFACTORY TRANSACTION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE ON HIS VEHICLE. THE TIRE WAS STORED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A CABLE LOWERING MECHANISM. THE TIRE WOULD LOWER ONLY FOUR INCHES BECAUSE OF A SECONDARY LATCH SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO BE RELEASED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE CONSUMER SPENT HOURS OVER A THREE DAY PERIOD OF TIME, TRYING TO GET THE TIRE LOWERED TO THE GROUND. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM RELEASE IT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOWER IT EITHER. THEY REMOVED THE ENTIRE MECHANISM AND THE TIRE AND AT THE CONSUMERS REQUEST THEY PUT IT IN THE CARGO AREA. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS CONCERN WAS THAT THE SYSTEM WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED. IT WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUST AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHICH COULD ALLOW IT TO MALFUNCTION. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Mar 29, 201048,250 milesDE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT WERE EXPOSED. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE INTERMITTENT FAILURES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE EXPOSED WIRES WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48250. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48349.

SeatsFire
Filed Mar 17, 201064,000 milesNE

2004 CHEVY SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED CHEVY THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Jan 13, 201070,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT A LOW UNKNOWN SPEED ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "TRACTION" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SUDDENLY, SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED SURGE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/18/10

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Dec 11, 2009132,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Sep 29, 200957,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT-GATE GLASS IS SEPARATING FROM THE WINDOWS' HINGES. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE GLASS MAY UNEXPECTEDLY FALL AND CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 19, 200994,000 milesFL

2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN REAR WINDOW HINGE DETACHING FROM GLASS CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN THAT WINDOW COULD DISLODGE AND FLY OFF AN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON. THE HINGES APPEAR TO BE GLUED TO GLASS AND THE GLUE IS FAILING AND DETACHING FROM WINDOW. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON THE WEB, CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO OTHERS. IN JULY OF 2004 CHEVROLET ISSUED THE FOLLOWING BULLETIN: "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION - LIFTGATE WINDOW MOLDING #04065 - (JULY 26, 2004) 04065 - LIFTGATE WINDOW MOLDING 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE, SUBURBAN 2005 GMC YUKON, YUKON XL ON JULY 20, 2004, ALL VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS PROGRAM WERE PLACED ON STOP DELIVERY. AFTER THE SERVICE PROCEDURE CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN IS COMPLETED, THE VEHICLES MAY BE DELIVERED TO CUSTOMERS. CONDITION GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND SUBURBANS, AND GMC YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT ADHESIVE ON THE LIFTGATE WINDOW MOLDING, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE MOLDING PARTIALLY SEPARATING FROM THE WINDOW." MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS AFFECTS MORE YEARS THAT THE 2005 AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH 2003 - 2004 MODELS. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS OF REAR WINDOW DETATCHING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. I SPOKE WITH MR. JAMES SMITH AT CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS EVENING AND FILED AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT/REPORT. IT IS DOCUMENTED IN THEIR SYSTEM AS SER

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 10, 2009NM

FUEL GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATELY REPORTING FUEL LEVEL. WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS TOO LOW, VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART. LOW LEVEL WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. VEHICLE HAS TO BE JUMP STARTED IN ORDER TO RESET SECURITY MECHANISM. CAN CAUSE TRAFFIC ISSUES AND/OR COLLISION FROM ABRUPTNESS OF ISSUE AND HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING WHEREVER YOU ARE. I CAN JUST IMAGINE WHAT A PROBLEM IT WOULD BE IF IT HAPPENED IN AN INTERSECTION OR RUNNING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SINCE THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, THIS WOULD MEAN POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD BE NON-FUNCTIONAL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT OR COLLISION. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 4, 200923,400 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED GREATER EFFORT TO TURN. THERE WAS A LOW POWER RESPONSE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V043000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,400. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 2, 200997,508 milesNY

SPEEDOMETER READS INCORRECTLY. READS SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH WHILE STANDING STILL, 120 MPH WHILE GOING 40MPH, OR NOTHING AT ALL. IT VARIES FROM DAY TO DAY. *TR

Seats
Filed Jun 4, 200963,326 milesAK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH WITH MY DAUGHTER, WHEN THE SECOND ROW SEAT (60/40) OF MY 2004 SURBURBAN BECAME UNLATCHED AND THE SEAT FLEW FORWARD. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE SEAT BACK TO IT'S LOCKED POSITION. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT OTHERWISE, SHE WOULD'VE INJURED HERSELF FACE FIRST ON REAR OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET, AND WAS NOTIFIED ALTHOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THIS REPAIR ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 5, 200969,850 milesRI

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IN A 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN WAS DIAGNOSED BY A GM DEALERSHIP AS DEFECTIVE ON 3/4/2009 WITH 70,400MILES. OIL GAUGE AND BATTERY GAUGE FAILS TO READ PROPERLY OFTEN BOUNCING AROUND/FLUTTERING AROUND DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. GAUGES DO NOT RETURN TO ZERO WHILE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATING. GAUGE FAILURE WAS NOTED ON 2/10/2009. GM HAS YET TO AGREE TO REPLACE CLUSTER PANEL THOUGH A LETTER WAS SENT TO GM OWNERS REGARDING MATTER. LETTER CLEARLY STATES NOT TO BRING VEHICLE IN TO HAVE CLUSTER PANEL CHECKED UNTIL THERE IS BELIEVED TO BE AN ISSUE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 19, 2009FL

ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY GOES INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" "TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED" FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED BY TWO THIRDS. ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS NOW. GM/CHEVY DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP OVER 20 TIMES SOME TIMES ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THROTTLE BODY, TAC, BATTERY CABLES, AND OTHER COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO NO AVAIL. SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS ON THE FREEWAY WITH 18 WHEELERS BEARING DOWN ON REAR END WHEN ISSUE HAS OCCURRED. I NO LONGER ALLOW MY WIFE AND KIDS IN THE CAR. I'M SURE SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE AND MAYBE THEN GM WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUE. HOPEFULLY WHEN IT HAPPENS IT WILL NOT INVOLVE SMALL CHILDREN WHICH IS WHAT SUBURBANS ARE TYPICALLY PURCHASED FOR...TO DRIVE AROUND FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN. CONSUMERS THINKING THEY ARE PURCHASING A GOOD SIZE VEHICLE THAT WILL KEEP THEIR FAMILY SAFE SHOULD STEER AWAY FROM GM PRODUCTS. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 29, 2008100,000 milesMD

SPEEDOMETER NOT REGISTERING ACCURATELY. WHILE IN NEUTRAL 90 MPH. *TR

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 17, 2008SC

OUR FAMILY WAS NOT HOME, THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AS NORMAL. MY NEIGHBORS WERE IN THE YARD AND SUDDENLY HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THEY LOOKED OVER AND THE REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED AND BLEW THE GATE OPEN. IT ALSO MELTED THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE GLASS. IT SEEMS AS IF POSSIBLY THE REAR DEFROSTER MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MOVED IN 3 DAYS. GLAD SOMEONE WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND IT. IT BLEW GLASS ABOUT 10 FT. WAITING ON INS TO CALL BACK. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 10, 200840,000 milesTX

MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN OUR 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED FLUCTUATING FROM 20 MPH TO 70 MPH TO 120 MPH. THE ENGINE DIDN'T SEEM TO CHANGE ITS RUNNING SPEED AS THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATIONS WERE OCCURRING. I ONLY HAVE 40K MILES, AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY WIFE MAINLY DRIVES IT TO TAKE OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL AND THEIR ACTIVITIES, AND ERRANDS. WILL THE DEALER REPAIR FOR FREE? *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 28, 200845,000 milesWI

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. PROBLEM RECURRED IN FALL 2008 (CAR NOW OUT OF WARRANTY) IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AGAIN TO COMPLAIN, THEY STATED, OUT OF WARRANTY HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW PART REPLACEMENT. FEEL THIS IS A FLAWED ENGINEERED COMPONENT ON VEHICLE FROM START, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SAFE IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 6, 2008100,000 milesUT

THE STEERING COLUMN HAS SOME FLAW IN IT CAUSING A LOOSE CONNECTION ON THE COLLAPSIBLE SHAFT. GE IS CLAIMING THAT A "CORRECTED OR REVISED" SHAFT IS THE FIX BUT THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY PAYING FOR THE "FIX". THIS IS A 2004 CHEVY. SUBURBAN *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 15, 200867,880 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AND I NOTICED THAT ON THE COMPUTERIZED DASHBOARD, THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR WAS FLASHING. I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER, THE GAUGE WENT UP TO 120 MPH AND EVEN THOUGH I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF THE GAUGE IS STILL AT 120 MPH. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY GAUGE IS NOT WORKING, BECAUSE THE GAUGE IS NOT MOVING AT ALL AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE RPM GAUGE, I WAS ONLY PRESSING THE GAS SLIGHTLY, THE RPM GAUGE WENT UP TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL. WHEN I WAS COMING BACK HOME FROM WORK THE SAME DAY, WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE I FELT IT RIGHT AWAY THAT WHENEVER I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, THE VEHICLE IS JUST MOVING SLOWLY, UNTIL IT STOPPED MOVING. I HAVE IT TOWED TO BILL HEARD DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WAS TORE AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I NEED TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 67,880 MILEAGE AND WE ONLY HAVE THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 1/2 YEARS. FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM, ABOUT A CONDITION THAT MAY DEVELOP ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE NEEDLES MAY STICK, FLUTTER OR BECOME INOPERATIVE AND MAY CAUSE INACCURATE READINGS, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE. I HAVE KEPT THAT LETTER AND CALLED THE GM AND I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS JUST WANDERING, BECAUSE IT ALL HAPPENED IN ONE DAY. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELAT

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 20, 2008TX

IN RESEARCHING ONLINE I'VE NOTICED THIS ON MANY DIFFERENT CHEVY 2004 MODELS. THE TACHOMETER, FUEL GAGE, AND SPEEDOMETER ARE WHAT I NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH AND WHAT OTHERS HAVE SEEN PROBLEMS WITH THOUGH THE SPEEDOMETER IS THE MOST PREVALENTLY NOTICED ITEM. THE GAUGE MOTORS ARE NOT STEPPING BACK DOWN WHEN RPMS, SPEED, OR FUEL LEVELS DROP THUS LEADING DRIVERS TO RESPOND IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WAYS. IN MY OWN CASE I ALMOST CAUSED A PILE UP WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD LOST MY SENSES AND APPLIED MY BRAKES A LITTLE HARDER THAN I SHOULD HAVE, ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CERTAINLY AGITATED THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME WHEN THEY ALMOST HIT MY VEHICLE. I DON'T TYPICALLY GET THIS PROBLEM AS I TYPICALLY DRIVE LESS THAN 10 MILES A DAY. WHEN I DO HAVE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 60 MILES I TEND TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO BE MORE PREVALENT IN COLD CONDITIONS WHICH FITS WITH THE EXPLANATION I HAVE HAD THAT IT IS THE HOUSING OF THE GEAR MOTORS BREAKING DOWN AND JAMMING THE GAUGE GEARS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC USED IN THE HOUSING OF THE GEAR MAGNETS; "THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE PLASTIC MATERIAL THAT HOLDS THE PERMANENT MAGNET FOR THE ROTOR OF THE STEPPER MOTOR." NOW THAT I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE ASKED AROUND ABOUT FIXES I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY AND TURN IT OFF. FROM THERE I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY ENOUGH TO BRING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MOMENTARILY ON AND THEN BACK OFF. IT STEPS THE TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE BACK DOW

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 9, 200893,785 milesLA

MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING NO WARNING WHILE ON HIGHWAY WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 120 MPH. *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.

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