MYRModel Year Report

2004 Chevrolet Suburban

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
204
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2004 204 2005: 129 complaints 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2004 204 2005: 129 complaints 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2014 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2020 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1989 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1991 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1995 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1997 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2001 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2004 204 2005: 129 complaints 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2007 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2013 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2015 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2021 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints

2004: 204 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015429
2016219
2017141
201881
201977
202044
2021196
2022121
2023123
202443

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

35% · 72 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-22

Service brakes

25% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Total brake failure (Vehicle has 95,387) miles) at 40 MPH in motion. Stabil-trac light indicated at the time of failure, service brake indicator on display information console. .

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-10-09

Steering

7% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and shaft pitman.

INJURY

Air bags

7% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-01-03

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. After turning the ignition key to start the engine, both the driver and passenger side air bags erroneously deployed. During the incident, the driver sustained chest and facial bruises and lacerations.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-24

When the consumer was hit at 30 MPH, the side air bags did not deploy. There were minor injuries. The consumer had the vehicle towed. Please provide more information.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-13

Power train

7% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I had my 2004 chev Suburban parked in my garage. My 8 years old daughter was in the back seat listening to the radio. I had the gear in park and the key in the accessory position so she could listen to the radio.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-03

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 204 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2004-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-28 Hydraulic pump failres
  3. R
    2004-06-18Service brakes, hydraulic04V045000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2005-03-23Service brakes, hydraulic05V043000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2005-07-21Seat belts05V163000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-08-31Engine and engine cooling06V289000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 72 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V045000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 05V043000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 05V163000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V289000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.