CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 · model year

2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500

220 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CHEVROLETSUBURBAN 1500 carries 220 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 SUBURBAN 1500 is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 48 filings, followed by electrical system (35) and service brakes (27). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2004 SUBURBAN 1500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

220
Complaints
2
Crashes
7
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

220 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL48
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM35
SERVICE BRAKES27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12
STEERING11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
TIRES5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
WHEELS4
POWER TRAIN4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
STRUCTURE3
ENGINE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2

Recalls (1)

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

Recent Complaints

20181130ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 200,000

20180731SERVICE BRAKES

RUSTED BREAKE LINES, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY COULD NOT USE BRAKES AFTER STARTING THE CAR

Mileage: 152,000

20171125SEATS

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

Mileage: 13,000

20171026SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE FLUID LINES RUSTED AT THE AREA UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL, CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK UNEXPECTEDLY, THUS RENDERING NO BRAKES. THE LEAK HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE AND ANOTHER IN THIS SAME AREA. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE COULD BE IS A PROBLEM IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE LINES DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND BECAUSE ITS TOO CLOSE TO THE WHEEL SALT AND ROAD CONDITIONS CAUSES THIS AREA TO RUST MORE EASILY. HE'S HAD A NUMBER OF CHEVY SUB. WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT.

Mileage: 135,000

20170606FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER GAUGES CLUSTERS ARE NOT WORKING THIS PUTS US IN DANGER I DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I NEED AND HOW FAST I WAS GOING THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT WAS A CLUSTER DEFECT

Mileage: 65

20170606FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER GAUGES CLUSTERS ARE NOT WORKING THIS PUTS US IN DANGER I DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I NEED AND HOW FAST I WAS GOING THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT WAS A CLUSTER DEFECT

Mileage: 65

20170606FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER GAUGES CLUSTERS ARE NOT WORKING THIS PUTS US IN DANGER I DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I NEED AND HOW FAST I WAS GOING THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT WAS A CLUSTER DEFECT

Mileage: 65

20170425FireSERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE MODULATING SYSTEM SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. ONCE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER START.

Mileage: 135,000

20170425FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

BRAKE MODULATING SYSTEM SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. ONCE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER START.

Mileage: 135,000

20160918SERVICE BRAKES

STEEL BRAKE LINES: DIRECTLY UNDER DRIVERS FEET BENEATH VEHICLE IS CLUSTER OF FOUR BRAKE LINES HELD IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC BRACKET.THESE BRAKE LINES ARE HIDDEN BY A LARGE CORRUGATED BLACK WIRING HARNESS. ALL FOUR LINES ARE EXTREMELY CORRODED AT BRACKET AND AT LEAST ONE OF THEM FAILED COMPLETELY AND INSTANTANEOUSLY. UNLIKE GM REPORTS THAT IT'S A DUAL BRAKE SYSTEM AND VEHICLE WILL RETAIN BRAKING CAPABILITIES IN OUR CASE THIS IS FALSE . WORD NEEDS TO GO OUT ABOUT THESE VEHICLES BUT PREFERABLY A RECALL. MY 15 YEAR OLD NEWLY ISSUED PERMIT HOLDER WAS AT THE WHEEL AND WE WERE ONE LEFT TURN FROM DESCENDING A 200 FOOT TALL 6% GRADE HILL WITH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND STOP LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM. ALSO LIVING IN MINNESOTA KNOWING CLASSIC CAR OWNERS WITH ORIGINAL STEEL BRAKE LINES WITH NO ISSUES I'M LED TO BELIEVE DESIGN IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THESE BRAKE FAILURE ISSUES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20160318ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE GM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STEPPER MOTORS AND LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. THIS RESULTS IN A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL LEVEL AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION.

Mileage: 150,000

20160318VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE GM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STEPPER MOTORS AND LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. THIS RESULTS IN A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL LEVEL AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION.

Mileage: 150,000

20160318EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE GM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STEPPER MOTORS AND LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. THIS RESULTS IN A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL LEVEL AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION.

Mileage: 150,000

20160318ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHTS IN THE GM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ARE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN SHIFT INTO THE INCORRECT GEAR ACCIDENTALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO OTHER ALTERNATE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR IN THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 152,000

20160105STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20151027SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES FAILED UNDER HARD STOP (HIGHWAY, IN MOTION). INTERMEDIATE STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED TO REAR BRAKES IN A MODE OF RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION. ALL OTHER STEEL LINES WERE CORRODED AND CONTACTED GM. 2 OTHER SILVERADO LINE VEHICLES OWNED ALSO FAILED THIS YEAR DUE TO CORROSION. GM RESPONSE WAS THAT NO RECALL EXISTED. REPLACED ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES IN VEHICLE WITH STAINLESS AFTERMARKET LINES. AFTER MULTIPLE CONTACTS WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD TO SAVE MY RECEIPTS FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS AN INCORRECT MATERIAL SPECIFICATION, LATENT DEFECT AND GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. SAVED BRAKE LINES FROM THIS VEHICLE FOR ANY POTENTIAL USE. 3 VEHICLES THAT I OWN WITH THE SAME REPAIR IN 8 MONTHS. INEXCUSABLE!

Mileage: 167,500

20151009CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY, RAN INTO A DITCH, WENT AIRBORNE AND FLIPPED ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS: PIT3598 (SEAT) FOR ADJUSTMENT TO THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Mileage: 129,000

20150818SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKED FLUID FROM SYSTEM.

Mileage: 180,000

20150817SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2004 SUBURBAN HAVE NOW FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME ONE OF THE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1000, THE SECOND TIME A SEPARATE LINE WAS PATCHED, AND NOW THE THIRD TIME THE SAME SECOND LINE THAT WAS PATCHED HAS FAILED AGAIN. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE INCREDIBLY CORRODED, SO MUCH SO THAT A FRIEND OF MINE WONDERED IF IT HAD BEEN SUBMERGED DURING HURRICANE KATRINA. BUT NOW UPON READING UP ON THE SUBJECT IT APPEARS THAT IS IS ALL GMS OF THAT TIME FRAME THAT LIVE IN SALTIER AIR. WHILE GM APPEARS TO THINK THAT THESE ARE COMPONENTS THAT SHOULD WEAR DOWN OVER TIME, THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN THE 30 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED CARS TO FIND THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 120,000

20150815SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 50 MILES PER HOUR A DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY SUV, I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND NOTICED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE GROUND. DROVE THE CAR HOME CAREFULLY. WHEN I GOT IT IN THE GARAGE FOUND RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES GOING TO THE REAR OF THE CAR LEAKING. THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE LINES AND AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT GOES TO THE GAS TANK HAS RUBBED A HOLE IN THE LINE.

Mileage: 190,650

Compare 2004CHEVROLETSUBURBAN 1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 have?
The 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 has 220 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500?
Yes, the 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL with 48 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.