2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 transmission problems

Filed May 20, 2013 · Transmission · 157,000 miles · NC

The vehicle is a 4wd suburban 1500. With 2 wd drive selected and driving at various speeds from 5 MPH to 60 MPH the vehicle will go into neutral. This has happened 7 or 8 times. Each time was in traffic which required illuminating emergency flashers and pulling to side of road. Every time presented a safety issue and was fortunate it didn't cause an accident. On one occasion I had just passed a semi on the interstate and had just pulled back into trucks lane when it occurred. Dealership could not detect a problem. The gear shift selector remains in "drive", the dash selector remains illuminated in 2wd and I get no messages on instrument panel message center. To troubleshoot I selected "auto 4 wd" on dash selector and operated for a week with no problem. I then selected 2 wd and the problem reappeared within 2 hours of operation. Once I stopped, I selected 1,2,3 and r on gear selector with no effect. Selected neutral and turned ignition off and then restarted with no effect (on previous occasion I had selected park with vehicle running and noticed a gear grinding noise so didn't want to do that again with engine running). Turned ignition off with gear selector in neutral and selected auto 4 wd and then restarted engine which took care of problem.

Filed Aug 22, 2012 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · WA

When driving it will try and engage the 4 wheel drive low. It happened a year ago and then again this week.

Filed Jan 19, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

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.

Filed Apr 18, 2010 · Lights, Steering · 133,600 miles · TN

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.

Filed Jun 29, 2009 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Mar 25, 2009 · Transmission · 72,200 miles · VA

Transmission started slipping causing a "shudder" around 55 MPH or lower if I am hauling something. We took in to dealer who said the torque converter clutch is bad and they can replace it or put in a whole new transmission at a cost to us of $3,300. After searching online I found tsb #050730017 which outlines this known problem. I have several friends who have had this same problem. If this many people are having this problem and it is know by gm I feel it should be handled by them. The technician that handled our repair said that the tranny fluid should be changed every 25-30k miles since we live in a mountainous area and occasionally pull a small horse trailer. The manual states that it should be changed every 50k miles with no reference to terrain. I feel that gm should cover the cost of this repair since they know about the problem and have done nothing to notify owners of the issue or how to correct it.

Filed Feb 22, 2009 · Transmission · 83,999 miles · MD

Transmission failure.

Filed Feb 19, 2009 · Electrical, Transmission · 50,000 miles · PA

Vehicle is a 4wd model, equipped with electronically controlled transfer case. The control only works intermittently. Several times I have been caught in a snowstorm and unable to use the 4wd. This is a serious safety issue. I had the control repaired once, but the problem quickly returned. I am told this is a very common problem with 4wd chevrolet and gmc trucks, for many model years.

Filed Jun 29, 2008 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · IL

I drive a 2004 chevrolet suburban z71. When I am driving down the road the transfer case shifts into neutral. I didn't touch the transfer case controls or anything it just goes into neutral. It works just fine in auto 4wd, 4hi, and 4lo. This only occurs while driving in 2hi. I haven't gotten anything fixed yet because electronically it appears that everything is working normally. The mechanic said that he would have to take apart my transfer case and I cant afford it. I was wondering if this was some kind of manufacturer defect or something because it doesn't do this all the time. The problem occurs intermittently. I have never driven this vehicle off-road or have had to use the 4wd for anything. It just seems odd because this vehicle doesn't even have 70000 miles on it. I would think that something like a transfercase would be built to last a little while longer. It hasn't caused an accident yet but has come close a couple of times like when it fails in the middle of an intersection.

Filed Mar 8, 2008 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · CT

2004 chevy suburban 1500 4wd normal driving secondary roads. After stopping at a stop light the vehicle transmission shifted normally through second gear. Immediately and without warning the 2-3 shift resulted in severe slippage. There was no noise, no fluid leaks of any kind and no fluid contamination. The vehicle has been serviced by the selling dealer and has had the transmission fluid changed an two occasions by the dealer. A number of complaints about erratic transmission shifts and behaviors were noted each time the vehicle was brought in for routine maintenance and scheduled service. Each time the dealership was unable to replicate the problems complained about. Upon returning the vehicle to the selling dealer and authorizing removal and tear-down of the transmission we were told it was completely destroyed and needed complete rebuilding. The vehicle was phrased new, has had one driver, never towed anything, has had complete and timely service by the selling dealer. The mileage at the time of failure was 85,000. We had a gm extended warranty which expired at 75,000. The dealer won't cover it and after asking them to contact the chevy zone office to seek some support, I was told that was denied. When I asked for that denial in writing the dealership said that the zone official refused to do so. They are seeking between $2800 - $3,400.00 for repair of the vehicle.