Front passenger dash airbag spontaneously deployed without any inciting event. The vehicle is at the Team Chevrolet Goldsboro dealership. A case has been opened with General Motors Case Number XXX. No prior warning - it smoked for a few seconds then deployed. No prior warning lights.
The worst 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 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.
- Electrical72
- Brakes49
- Engine18
- Fuel system14
- Steering14
- Transmission14
- Airbags13
- Acceleration12
- Driver assistance9
- Visibility9
- Suspension7
- Seats5
- Tires5
- Body3
- Locks2
- Seat belts2
- Lights1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
Brake failure 19Loss of power 10ABS 8Fuel pump 8Stalling 7Fuel gauge 6
Recalls 4
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
- Risk
- If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 06V289000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
- 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 around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, or hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.
Recall number 05V163000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
- 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. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.
Recall number 05V043000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
- Risk
- Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463; or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.
Recall number 04V045000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
Defect investigations
Hydraulic pump failres
Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.
EA04012
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 795
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- Electrical system
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
2004 Chevrolet Suburban fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 17-18 | 14-15 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 14 |
What 2004 Chevrolet Suburban owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph he noticed the temperature gauge increased to the high indicator. The engine coolant hot message was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to pull over there was an abnormal popping noise and smoke was detected. The air bag warning light illuminated and the driver's side air bag deployed without impact or crash and struck the driver in the face, chest, and right hand. There was no medical attention provided, or a fire or police report filed. The vehicle was left on the side of the road. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
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 time and siren sounds were coming from radio and speakers only way to make it stop was to pull the fuse and have had to get multiple four wheel alignments because of steering and steering has to much play in it before suburban turns
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while shifting gears, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where there were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 238,239.
The hydro booster is defective. The car triggers my breaks and makes noises make steering braking difficult. It happens everyfay throught the day while im driving
Abs breaks kicking in at low speed and not stopping almost wrecked several times
Rear tailgate glass has separated from the glued on hinges and dropped down on the drivers side. This appears to be an ongoing design, quality issue and has happened on a large number of SUV style chevrolet vehicles as can be seen using a simple internet search concerning this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. While the vehicle was in motion, the driver's side air bag deployed with force. A yellow substance emitted inside the vehicle when the failure occurred. The deployment occurred without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the same failure as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v045000 (service brakes, hydraulic). There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the brake booster system needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 192,000.
Compare the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Owners have filed 204 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, 1.5 times a typical Suburban model year.
What is the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban year score?
The 2004 Chevrolet Suburban scores 57 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Suburban: 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?
Electrical system, with 72 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles. Next is brakes (49).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, seat belts and service brakes, hydraulic.
What year does the Chevrolet Suburban have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Suburban model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (81 complaints), 2004 (72 complaints) and 1999 (58 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 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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