Total Complaints
17 filings
GMC SAVANA · model year
17 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004GMCSAVANA carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 3 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 SAVANA is service brakes, hydraulic with 2 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (1) and steering:gear box:shaft pitman (1). 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 7 active recall campaigns, 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 2004 SAVANA. 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.
Total Complaints
17 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
SEAT BELTS
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CERTAIN VANS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING A LATCH WITH A BRITTLE CONDITION THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY THAT MAY SEPARATE. IF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR MAY NO LONGER CORRELATE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Savana. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V045000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Mileage: 92,000
PROBLEM IS WITH A NEW TIRE PURCHASE BF GOODRICH LT245/75R16 BFG COMMERCIAL TA A/S2. I NOTICE FLAT SPOTTING EVERY MORNING AND IT COULD TAKE 1/2 HR OF DRIVING TO CLEAR UP BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 60 YRS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A BAD TIRE. IF IT HAS FLAT SPOTS WITH 70PSI AND MIN. LOAD WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH FULL LOAD. RETURNED TO DEALER BUT HE FAILS TO SEE A PROBLEM. I WAS PARKED 12HRS AND PROBLEM APPEARS EACH MORNING. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS TIRE ON MY TRUCK.
SUBMISSION FROM EXPLORER VAN CO., RE RECEIPT OF YOUR CORRESPONDENCE DATED JULY 10, 2014 REGARDING THE EARLY WARNING REPORTING OF DEATHS AND INJURIES. *SMD THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING A 2004 GMC SAVANA, WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS AND PERMANENT INJURIES. *JB
THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IT ONLY HAS 63K PLUS MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY BECAME ERRATIC. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO "D", BUT THE SECOND AND THE FIRST GEAR WORKS FINE. WE WERE TOLD BY GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BY A GMC DEALER TO FIND OUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE RESULTS INDICATED NO PROBLEMS WERE DETECTED OR NO CODES WERE SHOWING UP ON THEIR COMPUTER, GMC THEN TOLD US THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE COULD NOT AFFORD A NEWLY REBUILT TRANSMISSION.
Mileage: 63,000
NO INCIDENT ...YET. NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AFTER REFUELING JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2012. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE EVER SINCE. CHECKED OUT RECALLS AND SAW THIS ONE, BUT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. THIS RECALL (LISTED BELOW) IS EXACTLY WHAT IS THE ISSUE WITH MY GMC VAN. IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BUT FOR SOME REASON IS NOT. I AM GOING TO FIX IT MYSELF (AT MY OWN EXPENSE), BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM NOT GOING TO RISK THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP RECALL NUMBER: 12V388000 RECALL DATE: 08/08/2012 PROBLEM SUMMARY: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A LEFT SIDE CARGO DOOR, AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI
Mileage: 96,000
NO INCIDENT ...YET. NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AFTER REFUELING JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2012. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE EVER SINCE. CHECKED OUT RECALLS AND SAW THIS ONE, BUT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. THIS RECALL (LISTED BELOW) IS EXACTLY WHAT IS THE ISSUE WITH MY GMC VAN. IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BUT FOR SOME REASON IS NOT. I AM GOING TO FIX IT MYSELF (AT MY OWN EXPENSE), BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM NOT GOING TO RISK THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP RECALL NUMBER: 12V388000 RECALL DATE: 08/08/2012 PROBLEM SUMMARY: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A LEFT SIDE CARGO DOOR, AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI
Mileage: 96,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE MAXIMUM EFFORT IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO CATCH. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V043000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 87,927.
Mileage: 87,927
FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO "QUICK CONNECT" SPLIT NEAR THE MUFFLER. WITH THE PRESSURE OF THE FUEL PUMP, GASOLINE WAS SPEWING OUT OF THE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK NEAR THE MUFFLER. IT HAD HAPPENED TWO WEEKS OR SO EARLIER BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE IT BECAUSE I'D HAD A GAS SPILL FROM A LEAF BLOWER IN THE BACK OF THE VAN AND THOUGHT THAT WAS THE SMELL (EVEN THOUGH I'D WIPED IT UP). I WENT TO MY MECHANIC TO SEE IF HE COULD CLEAN THE SPILL. HE FOUND THE SPLIT THAT WAS CAUSING THE ODOR. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A REAL FIRE HAZARD. THE FUEL LINE IS PLASTIC, MY MECHANIC SAYS, AND THERE ARE VERY FEW AVAILABLE (NONE AT FACTORY WAREHOUSES). *TR
Mileage: 28,850
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE SECOND ROW RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WAS INSERTED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE APPROPRIATE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED, THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . *AK THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINER WAS NOT WORKING. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB
Mileage: 17,000
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE SECOND ROW RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WAS INSERTED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE APPROPRIATE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED, THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . *AK THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINER WAS NOT WORKING. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB
Mileage: 17,000
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES ,AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING REAR END FAILED, VEHICLE SKIDDED, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERABLE, AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTACTED GMC. *AK
Mileage: 10,000
WHILE DRIVING REAR END FAILED, VEHICLE SKIDDED, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERABLE, AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTACTED GMC. *AK
Mileage: 10,000
WHILE DRIVING REAR END FAILED, VEHICLE SKIDDED, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERABLE, AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. CONTACTED GMC. *AK
Mileage: 10,000
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING SHAFT PITMAN AND IDLER ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY, AND THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING SHAFT PITMAN AND IDLER ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY, AND THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL, DROPPED ABOUT TWO QUARTS OF OIL. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 1200 MILES. DEALER SATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Mileage: 900
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.