Instrument cluster shorts out and gear indicator goes blank. No message center information warnings are displayed. Part is defective and car makers should replace it. Not knowing what gear vehicle is in can lead to death if vehicle left in neutral and rolls away. Gm needs to fix this expensive problem. Also 4l60e transmission on these vehicles fails and starts slipping because of defective sun shell and real piston seal. Gm should recall all these bad transmissions. Warranty should have been for life. Why should such an expensive part to repair fail under normal use? Recall ! Both these parts fail when driving. All warning of vehicle conditions are sent to failed cluster. Vehicle was made in mexico for re-importation and sale in USA and maybe parts suppliers in mexico provided defective parts. Many people have suffered financial loss trying to fix these problems, lastly, the emission solenoid near the tank also fails. Vehicle may not pass emission.
2004 Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems
14 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,539. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 60,539
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission7
- Transfer case (4-wheel drive)2
- Manual transmission1
- Driveline: universal joint1
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2004 Chevrolet Suburban owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. While the vehicle was in the park position, the gear shifted into the neutral position unexpectedly without warning. The failure occurred once. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.
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 related to the transmission.
2004 chevrolet tahoe has had the following issues before 100k miles: 1. Replaced fuel pump 2. Engine overheating(taken to the dealership service dept 2x for issue) 3. Oil pressue - lost oil pressue 4. Transmission needs replaced
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. The speedometer malfunctioned and does not operate at all. The repair shop could not determine the cause of the failure and no repairs were made. At 40,000 miles, the dealer rotated the tires, but did not check the rotors. The failure mileage was 60,539 and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 03/14/08.*lj the power window motors, universal joints and shocks all had to be replaced. Updated
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at speeds between 5 and 45 MPH the vehicle stalled on 6 occasions. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to the dealer each time. This problem started in august 2005. On 5 occasions the dealer could not duplicate the problem however; adjustments were made to the vehicle. On the sixth occasion the dealer replaced the PCM module.
There is a "lack of power" with my 2004 chevrolet suburban 1500. My previous 1999 chevy tahoe towed my boat and trailer easily my new suburban with 40 more horsepower has a very difficult time towing the trailer. It is very difficult to maintain highway speeds without the transmission constantly shifting in and out of lower gears. It doesn't seem to matter if I am in tow mode or not. With 40 more hp. Than the other vehicle and the same amount of torque this should be easy for this truck. More importantly there is a great lack of acceleration when you depress the pedal. I guess you would call it a big lag. I am told this is called "torque management." well torque management almost got my family killed the other day! When pulling into traffic a car came over the hill rather quickly I stepped on the gas .....and nothing happened it was like I was dragging an anchor. The dealer says that is the way they are designed and computer controlled and there is nothing that can be done about it.
Dt: contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. The vehicle switched into four wheel drive on its on.
The vehicle lost it's service stability control at 40 miles per hour making it difficult for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair for the fourth time, but there still continues to be a steering problem. *nm there were five repair attempts to repair the system. The brakes would pulse and come on while the vehicle was in motion followed by the service stability light. The vehicle would shake violently as if it were out of control. The transmission would slip at times. A service bulletin was found in re to the clutch. The forward clutch seal/piston diss pump as well as the shift cable. The yaw rate sensor table was replaced and the ABS module was reprogrammed. There was popping coming from the left when turning due to the crossmember. Static noise was heard under the dash at times when the headlights flickered. Both upper shock insulators were squeaking. Both shock insulators were removed and replaced by new style insulators. The yaw rate sensor was replaced again with one form a new unit, the steering rotation sensor was replaced and the stability module was reprogrammed. *sc
Transmission slipping. When traveling up hills the truck loses its power, even while accelerating. Reported the incident to the dealership a week after I purchased the vehicle. I was informed by the dealership that they could not find a problem. I took the vehicle in 2 other times, the last time I was informed gm is aware that there is a problem with the transmission for the 2004 tahoes, however there is no fix.
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban transmission
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,539 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Chevrolet Suburban have bad transmission?
The Chevrolet Suburban model years with the most transmission complaints are 2015 (49 complaints), 1997 (47 complaints) and 1999 (47 complaints).
Other 2004 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Electrical 72Brakes 49Engine 18Fuel system 14Steering 14Airbags 13Acceleration 12Driver assistance 9Visibility 9Suspension 7Seats 5Tires 5Body 3Locks 2Seat belts 2Lights 1Wheels 1
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