2004 Chevrolet Suburban recalls and problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Suburban has 4 safety recalls and 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
204
Crashes / fires
12 / 6
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Chevrolet Suburban recalls

Recall 06V-289: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Aug 3, 2006 · 38,439 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 05V-163: Seat Belts

Reported Apr 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 05V-043: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 8, 2005 · 77,411 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 04V-045: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 4, 2004 · 68,875 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2004 Chevrolet Suburban problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System72
Service Brakes32
Service Brakes, Hydraulic18
Steering15
Power Train14
Air Bags14
Fuel System, Gasoline12
Engine and Engine Cooling12
Vehicle Speed Control12
Visibility8
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)8
Suspension7

Most reported parts

  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 41
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 7
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 7
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 5
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 3
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 63,200 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Chevrolet Suburban complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Mar 31, 2026
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.
Electrical System · at 150,000 miles · reported Apr 22, 2024
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.
Air Bags · at 200,000 miles · reported Jan 3, 2023
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…
Electrical System · reported Jun 30, 2022
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
Structure · at 238,239 miles · reported Apr 23, 2021
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.

Other Chevrolet Suburban years

Compare all Chevrolet Suburban years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban: 06V-289 (engine and engine cooling), 05V-163 (seat belts), 05V-043 (service brakes, hydraulic), 04V-045 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners report electrical system problems most often (72 reports), followed by service brakes (32). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 63,200 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.