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2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 is electrical system, typically around 78,000 miles. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical Suburban 1500 model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Year score
50/100
Owner complaints
182
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
99
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
14-15mpg

The worst 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Brake failure 17Knocking 7ABS 5Fuel gauge 5Harsh shifting 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 99

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 99 bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.3L 8‑cylRWD13-1417-1814-15
5.3L 8‑cyl4WD131714

What 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 30, 2018 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · OK

Takata recall. The gauge cluster stopped working. Now the ignition and AC will not work. Oil pressure sensor reading wrong. Took it to get code read and 35 codes came up. Had to put on a toggle switch just to start it. Cant see speed and that makes it very dangerous to drive at this point. Think all of this is due to water leak on drivers side. Steering controls stopped working today. This really need to be a safety concern to the manufacturer as it could really get someone hurt or killed.

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Brakes · 152,000 miles · MN

Rusted breake lines, parked in driveway could not use brakes after starting the car

Filed Nov 25, 2017 · Seats · 13,000 miles · AR

This problem concerns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. The seat heater switch, located above the driver's door armrest, turns itself on when the car is operating. The heated seat becomes extraordinarily hot rapidly and it is difficult to turn off - every bump and jar in the road turns the light and the seat back on. The light's location which indicates the operation of the heated seats is difficult to see as well - especially when the sun is strong & I'm wearing sunglasses. Looking down and away from the road and traffic is fairly dangerous. This distraction could easily evolve into an accident as the driver is constantly trying to turn the heated seat off. I have had this item "repaired" once, yet the problem continues. The most memorable moment was trying to drive in a torrential rainstorm on the interstate. I pulled over for safety before I tried to turn off the light. The minute I pulled back onto the interstate, the heated seat turned itself back on and stayed on for the next 250 miles. I know I am not the only person with a 2004 suburban that suffers from this problem. We have taken the fuse out of the car that controls the heated seats, but that also affects the ability to readjust the seat position for the individual drivers. The heated seat distraction combined with the location of the switch are definitely a safety issue and should be repaired.

Filed Oct 26, 2017 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · MD

The brake fluid lines rusted at the area under the driver side wheel, causing the fluid to leak unexpectedly, thus rendering no brakes. The leak happened on my vehicle and another in this same area. The mechanic said there could be is a problem in the manufacturing of the lines due to the construction and because its too close to the wheel salt and road conditions causes this area to rust more easily. He's had a number of chevy sub. With this same problem in for repair/replacement.

Filed Jun 6, 2017 · Acceleration, Electrical · 65 miles · CA · fire

Vehicle gas gauge and odometer gauges clusters are not working this puts us in danger I did not know how much gas I need and how fast I was going this should be fixed by the manufacturer because it was a cluster defect

Filed Apr 25, 2017 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · VA · fire

Brake modulating system spontaneously caught on fire while parked in my driveway. Once the fire was put out, the car would no longer start.

Filed Sep 18, 2016 · Brakes · 125,000 miles · MN

Steel brake lines: directly under drivers feet beneath vehicle is cluster of four brake lines held in place by a plastic bracket.these brake lines are hidden by a large corrugated black wiring harness. All four lines are extremely corroded at bracket and at least one of them failed completely and instantaneously. Unlike gm reports that it's a dual brake system and vehicle will retain braking capabilities in our case this is false . Word needs to go out about these vehicles but preferably a recall. My 15 year old newly issued permit holder was at the wheel and we were one left turn from descending a 200 foot tall 6% grade hill with a busy intersection and stop light at the bottom. Also living in minnesota knowing classic car owners with original steel brake lines with no issues I'm LED to believe design is a contributing factor in these brake failure issues. Thank you for your time.

Filed Mar 18, 2016 · Electrical · 152,000 miles · AL

The gear shift indicator lights in the gm instrument cluster are no longer working. This creates a safety issue because the driver can shift into the incorrect gear accidentally causing an accident. There is no other alternate gear shift indicator in the vehicle.

Filed Mar 18, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 150,000 miles · AL

The gm instrument cluster stepper motors and lights have failed. This results in a safety hazard because it is important to know the speed of the vehicle and the fuel level as well as other important engine information.

Filed Jan 5, 2016 · Body · 200,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban 1500. The contact stated that the rear hatch would not open. The dealer stated that the actuator needed to be replaced. The contact notified the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 04/20/16*lj

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Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 reliable?

Owners have filed 182 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 2.0 times a typical Suburban 1500 model year.

What is the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 year score?

The 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 scores 50 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?

Electrical system, with 84 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles. Next is brakes (38).

How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have the most electrical problems?

The Chevrolet Suburban 1500 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (84 complaints), 2003 (60 complaints) and 2005 (46 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 range from 14 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.3L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 13-14 city and 17-18 highway.

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