2004 Chevrolet Suburban

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2008· STEERING

  CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, CALLED CHEVROLET (THEY GAVE ME A CASE #)SINCE INTERNET SEARCH EXPOSED MANY OTHERS SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAVE A TSB #000235003 ABOUT THIS AND HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CHEVROLET WANTS ME TO PAY A $99 DIAGNOSIS FEE AND THEY MIGHT HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/29/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND YEARLY STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE PASSED THE STATE INSPECTION/EMISSIONS CONTROL TEST. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 5 MILES TO HOME. TWO DAYS, STARTED THE CAR, BUT HAD NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT TE BRAKELINE HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE COST FOR REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT $800. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS SUDDEN AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME, EVEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/29/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE SPEEDOMETER REGULARLY FAILS TO WORK, USUALLY READING AN INCORRECT SPEED (CHECKED AGAINST A HANDHELD GPS DEVICE) AND OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR

• 12/29/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AT 35000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD MAKE A TICKING NOISE AND START MOVING WITH A NOTCHY MOTION. WHEN DRIVING IT COULD READ 40-75 MPH WHILE DOING LESS THAN 10 MPH. AT 60+ MPH IT COULD READ 100+ MPH. AFTER MULTIPLE RESTARTS THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD RETURN TO 0. THE PROBLEM SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD WORSEN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLDER, BUT IT COULD BE COINSIDENCE. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY GUAGE CLUSTER AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WHILE IN THE DEALER THERE WERE 2 OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR TRUCKS HAVING THE SAME THING REPLACED. NOW I SEE ONLINE THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH NEARLY EVERY SUBURBAN AND CHEVROLET/GMC TRUCK IN MODEL YEARS 2004-2005. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED PART AND COULD BE A MAKE FOR A COSTLY/DANGEROUS DRIVE FOR SOMEONE.

• 12/29/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGSFire

  UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE ON, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

• 12/28/2006· SUSPENSION,VISIBILITY

  2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WINDOW MOTOR REPLACEMENT**CC THE RIGHT POWER WINDOW WAS SLOW GOING UP. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A MOTOR AND REGULATOR WAS NEEDED. THE FRONT TIRES WERE SEVERELY WORN ON THE INSIDE. AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AND THE TIRES WERE ROTATED. *JB

• 12/25/2007· EQUIPMENT

  2004 CHEV. SUBURBAN. JACK FAILED WHEN CHANGING TIRE. ALMOST FALLING ON MY DAUGHTER. THE JACK IS USE ON OTHER GM MODEL ALSO. *TR

• 12/22/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION. PROBLEMS INCLUDE SPEEDOMETER BEING STUCK AT 0 MPH OR OTHER SPEEDS, SPEEDOMETER BEGINNING AT 60 MPH AND REACHING 120 MPH WHEN ACTUALLY TRAVELING 60 MPH, AND OTHER RANDOM PROBLEMS. *TR

• 12/22/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC AND INACCURATE. VERY DANGEROUS! *NM

• 12/22/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER AND OIL PRESSURE STARTING DISPLAYING ERRATIC READING ANY WHERE FROM 0-120+ AND OIL PSI OF 0 TO PEGGING GAGE. AFTER RESEARCH OF DEALERS AND REPAIR FACILITIES DATA CONFIRMED THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT AND CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS. SETTING CRUISE CONTROL HAMPER THIS DEFECT BY NOT KNOWING WHAT ACTUAL SPEED IS WHEN ENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO HAVE SECOND VEHICLE THAT JUST STARTED WITH SAME ISSUES TODAY 12-22-06. 2004 GMC YUKON XL

• 12/22/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER READING INCORRECT SPEED AT ABOUT 40K MILES. CURRENTLY HAVE 55K MILES ON MY 2004 SUBURBAN. THE SPEEDOMETER OFTEN READS OVER 100 MPH SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER 30+ MINUTES OF CONTINUED DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY, THE TACHOMETER BECOMES ERRATIC AND SOMETIMES JUST DROPS TO 0 WHILE DRIVING. *NM

• 12/22/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY GROUND WIRE. *JB

• 12/21/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  HAD STARTING PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV. TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD DUE TO A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. CALLED TO COMPLAIN TO GM THAT THE REQUIREMENT TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT LISTED ON THEIR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHART IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE PUMP SHORTED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THIS IS AN INTERNAL FUEL PUMP MOUNTED WITHIN THE TANK ITSELF. *JB

• 12/20/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,TIRES

  WE HAD TO CHANGE A REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE AND THE SENSOR CONTROL WAS BROKEN. WE TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE. WHEN RETRIEVING THE SPARE WE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME GETTING IT OFF THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WINCH. AFTER STRUGGLING WITH THE SPARE TIRE FOR 30 MINUTES WE GOT IT RELEASED AND WHEN WE TRIED TO HOIST THE WINCH BACK UP, IT WOULD NOT GO UP. WE TRIED REPEATEDLY FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE TIRE WINCH HOLDER PART SO IT WOULDN'T HANG DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN CALLING ALL MORNING TO TRY TO FIND THE PART AND DRAPER CHEVROLET SAID THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART BUT MAINLY WHEN CUSTOMERS ARE TRYING TO RETRIEVE THE TIRE. MY INCIDENT IS DIFFERENT SINCE IT WOULDN'T GO BACK UP. DRAPER CHEVROLET DID NOT HAVE THIS PART IN STOCK AND I HAVE BEEN CALLING SALVAGE SHOPS AS WELL WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING WITHOUT A SPARE AND I DRIVE 60 MILES A DAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE BECAUSE THE OTHER TIRES SENSOR STEM BROKE ON ITS OWN. WHEN CALLING DRAPER CHEVROLET THEY SAID THE PART COST $170.42 NEW BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK. I WORK 8:30 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. MONDAY THRU FRIDAY AND CAN ONLY TAKE CARE OF THIS ON THE WEEKEND. WHICH THIS WEEKEND IS CHRISTMAS DAY. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND MY PREDICAMENT AND CAN HELP ME IN SOME WAY TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. I COME FROM A GENERAL MOTORS FAMILY AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO COUNT ON GENERAL MOTORS DOING THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

• 12/18/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN SPEEDOMETER READING IS INACCURATE, READING ANYWHERE FROM 20 TO 50 MPH TOO HIGH. THIS IS A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING DUE TO INABILITY TO ACCURATELY GAUGE SPEED, CAUSING TENDENCY TO DRIVE TOO SLOWLY. RUN RISK OF TRAFFIC TICKET. CHEVY DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM BUT ONLY PROVIDES SPECIAL ISSUE SERVICE FOR VEHICLES BETWEEN 70,000 TO 80,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. *TR

• 12/11/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE TRUCK FAILS TO RESTART AFTER DRIVING IT AN AT FIRST IT WOULD RESTART AFTER 15 - 20 MINUTES AFTER IT SITS AN NOW IT DOES NOT START AT ALL SO FAR I KNOW IT IS HAPPENING TO MORE THAN 20 VEHICLES INCLUDING THE STATE PATROL 2016 SUBURBANS AND SEVERAL OF THE PICKUPS

• 12/11/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/11/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN- SPEEDOMETER AND OIL PSI GAUGES READ ERRATIC. SPEEDOMETER CAN READ ZERO ONE MINUTE AND 120 ANOTHER, VERY ERRATIC. OIL PRESSURE GAGE READS 0-80 AT ANY TIME. MANY DOCUMENTED CASES BUT NO RECALL ON DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS. INTERNET SHOWS MANY REPAIRS BEING MADE ON THESES CLUSTERS REPLACING DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS. DEALER REPAIR TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE CLUSTER $400 *NM

• 12/09/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON RT.1 IN DELAWARE I SEEN A CAR ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE AND OFF THE ROAD I APPLIED MY BRAKES HARD TO STOP AND HELP THAT IS WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED. AFTER CHECKING ON THE DRIVER I LIMPED MY TRUCK TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND DISCOVERS MY BRAKE LINE HAD ROTTED OUT UNDER MY TRUCK BY THE FRONT WHEEL. THE CLIPS THAT SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRAME SEEM TO BE THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/08/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED .TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,THEY WANTED $500 TO REPLACE. TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND TRIED TO NEGOTIATE A LOWER PRICE AND ALSO FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND THAT SOME CUSTOMERS REPORT ONLINE THAT THEY HAVE GOT THE DEALER TO REPLACE AT NO COST. MY CLUSTER HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM SEEKING TO HAVE GM REPAIR IT FOR FREE.. *TR

• 12/08/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING OR GETS JUMPY AND SPORADIC IN WHEN AND HOW IT WORKS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 57000 MILES ON IT. THE ONLY EVENT THAT WE THOUGHT CAUSED IT WAS THE REALLY COLD TEMPERATURES BUT ITS WARMER NOW AND COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. IT IS EVERYTIME WE ARE IN THE VEHICLE DRIVING THAT IT DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE NOT GOT IT FIXED YET. RESEARCHING PROBLEM FIRST TO MAKE SURE NO RECALLS WERE DONE ON IT FIRST. *TR

• 12/08/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN EXHAUST SYSTEM PRODUCES NOISE AT IDLE ;DRIVING;AND AFTER SHUT DOWN. GM CLAIMS NOISE (POPPING) IS FROM MUFFLER HEAT SHIELD EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION. TSB TO CORRECT NOISE (MODIFYING HEAT SHIELD) IS INEFFECTIVE. IN 2004 MOTOR MAGAZINE REPORTED GM ACKNOWLEDGED THE NOISE CAME FROM TRAPPED WATER INSIDE THE MUFFLER. THE WATER TURNS TO SUPER HEATED STEAM AND PRODUCES A POP OR BANG INSIDE THE MUFFLER. GM WILL NOT REPLACE THE MUFFLER AS THE PROBLEM GOES BACK TO 2000 MODEL YEAR. MOREOVER PEOPLE ASK WHAT THAT STRANGE NOISE IS FROM MY SUBURBAN, I TELL THEM A DEFECTIVE MUFFLER. *JB

• 12/07/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN Z71, LESS THAN 16000 MILES, SPEEDOMETER PERIODICALLY DISPLAYS UPWARDS OF 30 - 120+ MPH OVER ACTUAL SPEED. CHEVY DEALER REPAIR COST IS TOO HIGH. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD. IS THERE YET A RECALL? *TR

• 12/07/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO FILL THE GAS TANK. EVEN WITH THE RUBBER BOOT SEALED AGAINST THE NECK, GASOLINE SPLASHES OUT ALL OVER THE GROUND. NO FIRE YET. THIS HAPPENS AFTER ONLY A FEW GALLONS IN PUT INTO A 31-GALLON TANK CONTAINING 8-10 GALLONS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING TO FILL THIS TANK. *JB

• 12/06/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ON MY CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2004; SPEEDOMETER FAILED. MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE. IT NO LONGER CALCULATES SPEED. IT IS STUCK POINTING (RESTING) PAST FASTEST LABEL OF 120MPH. *TR

• 12/05/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER JUMPED FROM APPROX.69 TO 110 AND CONTINUED TO STAY HAYWIRE AND IS NOT READING ACCURATELY. APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM BY CHEVY BUT THEY ARE ONLY REPAIRING IN 7 YEARS 70,000 MILES. OF COURSE I AM AT 4 YEARS AND AT 77,000. I WAS OVER 74K MILES WHEN NOTICE CAME OUT SO EVEN THEN WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET KNOWN DEFECT FIXED. *TR

• 12/03/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN SPEEDOMETER STUCK AND MAX SPEED WITH 72,300 MILES. I ALSO OWN 2004 CHEVY TAHOE WITH OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STUCK AT MAXIMUM WITH 92,000 MILES. *TR

• 12/02/2013· STRUCTURE

  THE REAR WINDOW LIFT HINGE ATTACHED TO THE GLASS TO THE TAILGATE IS DEFECTIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS HINGE ONLINE, I LOCATED SEVERAL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD CAUSE SEVERAL PROBLEMS IF THE GLASS WERE TO SEPARATE DURING TRAVEL AND SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR CHEVROLET. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $1,300.00 FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT WILL JUST RE-OCCUR WITH IN A FEW YEARS AS SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS OBSERVED ONLINE BY NEW OWNERS OF 2 YEARS. THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TARE. *TR

• 11/30/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TAKATA RECALL. THE GAUGE CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. NOW THE IGNITION AND AC WILL NOT WORK. OIL PRESSURE SENSOR READING WRONG. TOOK IT TO GET CODE READ AND 35 CODES CAME UP. HAD TO PUT ON A TOGGLE SWITCH JUST TO START IT. CANT SEE SPEED AND THAT MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. THINK ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO WATER LEAK ON DRIVERS SIDE. STEERING CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING TODAY. THIS REALLY NEED TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT COULD REALLY GET SOMEONE HURT OR KILLED.

• 11/30/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  STEEL BRAKE LINES ON VEHICLE ARE SEVERELY CORRODED WITH OBVIOUS SECTION LOSS. BASED UPON MY EXPERIENCE WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE, A LINE FAILURE DUE TO RUPTURE IS IMMINENT AND ALL LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WILL BE NEITHER AN EASY NOR AN INEXPENSIVE TASK. ADDING INSULT TO INJURY IS THAT GM DOES NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT LINE SETS; IT'S ROLL YOUR OWN OR BUY AN (INCOMPLETE) AFTERMARKET SET (NO ONE OFFERS COMPLETE SET FOR JL4 REAR BRAKE ARRANGEMENT). THIS REALLY IS RIDICULOUS GIVEN THE COST, AGE, MILEAGE AND OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE. *KB

• 11/29/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER NOT REGISTERING ACCURATELY. WHILE IN NEUTRAL 90 MPH. *TR

• 11/27/2007· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,TIRES,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE NOT WORKING. ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, OIL GAUGE, BATTERY GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE DO NOT WORK - THE ONLY GAUGE THAT DOES WORK IS THE SPEEDOMETER. LOOKING AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS, I SHOULD ASSUME THE SPEEDOMETER WILL BE GOING OUT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS - IT READS 250 - 260 ALL THE TIME. YOU DO NOT KNOW IF YOUR ARE RUNNING HOT OR NOT. THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE IS TOTALLY UPSET DOWN - WE HAVE TO GO OFF OUR "HOW MANY MILES 'TIL WE RUN OUT GO GAS" SCREEN TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE. I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP - $775, THE CHIP FOR THE GAS PEDAL (WHEN OUT - YOU COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR $800), THE DRIVER SIDE LEATHER SEAT STARTED TO WEAR DOWN @ 40,000 MILES - NOW HAS A TEAR IN IT, THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE, THE DASH MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, FRONT SEEM TO WEAR DOWN FAST, ETC. I COULD GO ON, BUT.......... IT SEEMS I GOT A LEMON. THIS WAS A $47,000 STICKER PRICED CAR - YOU WOULD THINK YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL PROBLEMS - SEEMS CHEV SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS - DANGEROUS. THESE ARE FAMILY - CHILDREN VEHICLES!!! *TR

• 11/26/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER STUCK AND GRADUALLY FADED TO 0. IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN ONCE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SHUT OFF. *TR

• 11/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

  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 *TR

• 11/25/2017· SEATS

  THIS PROBLEM CONCERNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH, LOCATED ABOVE THE DRIVER'S DOOR ARMREST, TURNS ITSELF ON WHEN THE CAR IS OPERATING. THE HEATED SEAT BECOMES EXTRAORDINARILY HOT RAPIDLY AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF - EVERY BUMP AND JAR IN THE ROAD TURNS THE LIGHT AND THE SEAT BACK ON. THE LIGHT'S LOCATION WHICH INDICATES THE OPERATION OF THE HEATED SEATS IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AS WELL - ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SUN IS STRONG & I'M WEARING SUNGLASSES. LOOKING DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE ROAD AND TRAFFIC IS FAIRLY DANGEROUS. THIS DISTRACTION COULD EASILY EVOLVE INTO AN ACCIDENT AS THE DRIVER IS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO TURN THE HEATED SEAT OFF. I HAVE HAD THIS ITEM "REPAIRED" ONCE, YET THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT WAS TRYING TO DRIVE IN A TORRENTIAL RAINSTORM ON THE INTERSTATE. I PULLED OVER FOR SAFETY BEFORE I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT. THE MINUTE I PULLED BACK ONTO THE INTERSTATE, THE HEATED SEAT TURNED ITSELF BACK ON AND STAYED ON FOR THE NEXT 250 MILES. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH A 2004 SUBURBAN THAT SUFFERS FROM THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE TAKEN THE FUSE OUT OF THE CAR THAT CONTROLS THE HEATED SEATS, BUT THAT ALSO AFFECTS THE ABILITY TO READJUST THE SEAT POSITION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL DRIVERS. THE HEATED SEAT DISTRACTION COMBINED WITH THE LOCATION OF THE SWITCH ARE DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED.

• 11/25/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE COOLANT LEVEL IN THE RESERVOIR CONTINUED TO DROP, PROMPTING ME TO REFILL IT WEEKLY. SERVICE SHOP WORKED ON THIS ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AFTER SEVERAL ENGINE OVERHEATING SITUATIONS, WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT SHOP. TURNS OUT OUR HEADS ARE CRACKED. THEY WERE MANUFACTURED BY CASTECH AND ARE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE ACCORDING TO GM BULLETIN #06-06-01-019B (DOCUMENT ID 1986750). THERE IS NOW SO MUCH ANTI-FREEZE IN OUR ENGINE THAT THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE CORROSIVE NATURE OF THE FLUID. GM SAID THAT THEY WOULD PAY NOTHING TOWARDS OUR REPAIR. THE ENGINE ONLY HAS 91K MILES AND NOW NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT B/C OF AN ISSUE THAT GM KNEW ABOUT SINCE 6/12/07 BUT NEVER CONTACTED US ABOUT. HAD THE REPLACED THE HEADS BACK IN 2007, WE MOST CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE FACING TOTAL MOTOR REPLACEMENT AT THIS TIME. *TR

• 11/22/2016· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE I APPLIED MY BRAKES SUDDENLY. THE BAKE LIKE CONNECTING THE ABS UNIT AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION/RUST THAT WAS NOT OBSERVABLE DUE TO THE LINE BEING RAN BETWEEN THE VEHICLES FRAME AND BODY AND GAS TANK. ALTHOUGH THIS LOCATION MIGHT HAVE MADE FOR EASY MANUFACTURING IT HAS LED TO THE LINE BEING IN A LOCATION THAT CANNOT BE VISUALLY INSPECTED TO PREVENT DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FROM BUILDING UP FROM LACK OF AWARENESS. .

• 11/22/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WITH APPROX. 60,000 MILES. THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS TO REGISTER AND OTHER TIMES NOT AT ALL. WHEN "WORKING", THE SPEEDOMETER STEPS OR JAGGEDLY MOVES. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT EVEN IF IT IS "WORKING" IT IS NOT ACCURATE. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A HIGH NUMBER OF SIMILAR CASES. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS IN A FRIEND'S SUBURBAN LAST WEEKEND AND HE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. HE HAD APPROX. THE SAME MILEAGE (60,000 MILES). VERY DANGEROUS NOT TO KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *NM

• 11/21/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SUDDENLY AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON AS WELL AS THE BRAKE "IDIOT" LIGHT. *TR

• 11/21/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY,SOMETIMES SET AT 120 MPH WHILE SETTING STILL. WHILE DRIVING I NEVER KNOW THE SPEED I'M GOING. ONE DAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER JUST KEPT CLIMBING TO 120 MPH , THAT IS WHEN IT STARTED. SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER GOES DOWN TO 0 MPH THEN WHILE DRIVING SAY 30 MPH I GUESS IT MAY TAKE YOU TO 60 MPH, 80 MPH WHILE AT THE SAME RPM. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ,IT HAS 44000 MILES THEREFORE MY WARRANTY IS OUT I HAVE TO SEE IF THE EXT WARRANTY I GOT COVERS THIS, ALSO I HAVE BEEN CHECKING THE INTERNET IF ANYONE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON TOPIX.NET . THANK YOU FOR YOU'RE TIME. *NM

• 11/20/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE SERVICE BRAKES WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

• 11/19/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THEY WERE AWARE THAT SOME OF THEIR MODELS WERE EXPERIENCING SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE FREE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT'S SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE. SHE BELIEVES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

• 11/19/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  UPDATE TO COMPLAINT 10098773. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP 2004 SUBURBAN DURING HARD STOP AT UNDER 40 MPH. LOST POWER ASSIST AND SOME STEERING CAPABILITIES. FELT LIKE THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. BRAKE PEDEL WAS FIRM BUT WOULD NOT SLOW. IMPACT @ AROUND 20MPH CAUSE OVER $10,000 DAMAGE INCLUDING A BENT FRAME. I HAD A DAVIS INSTRUMENTS CARCHIP READER RECORDING SEVERAL METRICS INCLUDING SPEED. CAR WAS NEW IN AUGUST WITH LESS THAN 8,000 MILES. I HAVE ALL THE CARCHIP LOGS FOR THIS CAR FROM AROUND THE TIME I ACQUIRED IT. HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALER FROM DAY ONE DUE TO SUSPECT REPAIRS ON AN EARLIER VEHICLE WHICH HAD EMISSIONS AND TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS. DEALER CONVICED ME TO TRADE UP ONCE THEY REALIZED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE OLD CAR AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS BETWEEN MARCH AND JULY 2004. 22 YEAR COLLISION FREE DRIVING RECORD. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER WITH 18 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE INCLUDING MILITARY WEAPONS SYSTEMS, OPERATING SYSTEMS, NETWORKING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. CALLED GM 11/18/04. NO RESPONSE YET. MECHANIC FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN RECALL 04V045000 - POSSIBLE HYDRO-BOOST DEFECT WHICH MATCHES THE DECRIPTION I EXPLAIN. SOME ONE NEEDS TO GET IN FRONT OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE A MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD SON WHO THANKFULLY WAS NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. *AK

• 11/18/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FAILURE OF BRAKE LINE AND LOSS OF FLUID WITH NO WARNING LIGHT UNTIL PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. MECHANIC HAS REPORTED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE, CALIPERS, SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY AND NO ACCESS TO THE BRAKE LINE AREA ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE WITHOUT CUTTING THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER ASSEMBLY OUT. ESTIMATE IS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR. BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT A WARNING - VERY SCARY. *TR

• 11/18/2009· TIRES

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HOUSING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE WHEN HE NEEDED IT. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE SPARE TIRE HOUSING MALFUNCTION HAS REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTERER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HER TO HAVE THE HOUSING UNIT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

• 11/17/2008· VISIBILITY

  OUR FAMILY WAS NOT HOME, THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AS NORMAL. MY NEIGHBORS WERE IN THE YARD AND SUDDENLY HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THEY LOOKED OVER AND THE REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED AND BLEW THE GATE OPEN. IT ALSO MELTED THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE GLASS. IT SEEMS AS IF POSSIBLY THE REAR DEFROSTER MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MOVED IN 3 DAYS. GLAD SOMEONE WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND IT. IT BLEW GLASS ABOUT 10 FT. WAITING ON INS TO CALL BACK. *TR

• 11/16/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,ENGINE

  1ST COMPLAINT: AFTER PASSING A VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY (THIS REQUIRED THE SUBURBAN TO GO INTO THE PASSING GEAR), THE SUBURBAN'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER IN ORDER TO AVOID BE HIT BY PASSING VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, THE SUBURBAN STARTED UP AGAIN. WE STARTED DRIVING AGAIN BUT AGAIN ONCE I TRIED TO ACCELERATE OR PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE SUBURBAN WOULD SHUT DOWN AGAIN. AUTO MECHANIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DO THIS. VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS IF THIS HAPPENS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY. 2ND COMPLAINT: CLUSTER PANEL WENT HAYWIRE. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, OIL GAUGE NOT READING PROPERLY ETC. EVENTUALLY, THE ENTIRE CLUSTER PANEL SHUT DOWN. HAD TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF ABOUT $500. 3RD COMPLAINT: DRIVERS SEAT FUNCTIONS AND HEATING MECHANISIM MALFUNCTIONED. THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING AND THE SEAT CONTROLS MALFUNCTIONED. THE SOME OF THE DRIVERS SEAT CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING OR ARE REVERSED. EXAMPLE; WHEN YOU PUSH THE LEVER TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD IT GOES BACKWARD AND VIS VERSA. THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING AND IT WILL CANCEL OUT THE PASSENGERS SIDE HEATED SEAT. EXAMPLE; IF THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT IS SELECTED, IT WORKS BUT ONCE YOU SELECT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT IT WILL CANCEL OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL DOESN'T WORK. AUTO MECHANIC CLAIMED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT WAS BAD. HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $300 BUT STILL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ORIGINAL HEATED SEAT ELEMENT WAS NOT BAD EITHER. *TR

• 11/15/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN I PRESSED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKELINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH THE LINE. *TR

• 11/15/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, I TRIED TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES!! I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. UPON CHECKING, ALL BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED THROUGH. ALL BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FRONT CALIPERS. CORROSION WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE LINES AND CALIPERS.

• 11/15/2007· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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