vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Chevrolet SUBURBAN 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

182 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

83,999 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 167 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 48 of 182 complaints (26.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior4223.1%
Steering behavior179.3%
Electrical and battery issues84.4%
Transmission and shifting73.8%
Engine operation52.7%
Fuel system concerns52.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
48
Electrical System
35
Service Brakes
27
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
12
Steering
11
Vehicle Speed Control
10
Engine And Engine Cooling
6
Tires
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel48
Electrical System35
Service Brakes27
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Steering11
Vehicle Speed Control10
Engine And Engine Cooling6
Tires5

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 48; Electrical System: 35; Service Brakes: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12; Steering: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Tires: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
19
50,000 to 74,999
40
75,000 to 99,999
50
100,000 to 149,999
31
150,000 and above
21
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,99919
50,000 to 74,99940
75,000 to 99,99950
100,000 to 149,99931
150,000 and above21

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 40; 75,000 to 99,999: 50; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 21

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (50). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2006
10
2007
22
2008
27
2009
32
2010
24
2011
15
2012
7
2013
12
2014
16
2015
7
2016
4
2017
4
2018
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200610
200722
200827
200932
201024
201115
20127
201312
201416
20157
20164
20174
20182

2006: 10; 2007: 22; 2008: 27; 2009: 32; 2010: 24; 2011: 15; 2012: 7; 2013: 12; 2014: 16; 2015: 7; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10158306 · 2006-05-26 (May 26, 2006)

THE STEERING COLUMN U JOINT THAT CONNECTS TO THE STEERING BOX HAS LOOSENED CAUSING A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE U-JOINT HAS NOT FAILED AS OF THIS TIME, BUT A FAILURE OR BINDING COULD EASILY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND OFFER A "GREASE KIT" TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, GREASE WILL NOT TAKE THE PLAY OUT OF A LOOSE U-JOINT. THIS IS A COVER-UP REMEDY TO MAKE THE LOOSENESS LESS OBVIOUS. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS OVER $300 FOR A REPLACEMENT PART ALONE …

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158306 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10163299 · 2006-07-24 (July 24, 2006)

THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T TIRES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE WEAR (VIBRATION) ISSUES, DUE TO THE TIRES BEING A SOFTER TIRE, ACCORDING TO MANY CHEVROLET AND GMC SERVICE MANAGERS THAT I HAVE CALLED. I RECEIVED TWO TIRES, BALANCING/ROTATION FREE, BUT I HAD TO BUY TWO AS WELL. I FEEL SINCE GM DEALERSHIPS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEY SHOULD SEND OUT A RECALL. I HAVE HAD MY TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED MANY TIMES (ABOUT EVERY 3,000 MILES), BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES EVERY 5000 - 8000 MILES. EVEN-THOUGH THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEY WOULDN'T PAY DUE TO MY V…

Owner-reported narrative. 35,695 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163299 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10165421 · 2006-08-14 (August 14, 2006)

VALVE STEM OF TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR BROKE CAUSING THE LEFT, REAR TIRE TO GO FLAT. IT BROKE WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE VALVE STEM CAP SO THAT I COULD CHECK MY TIRE PRESURE. IF THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IT MAY HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 63,956 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165421 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10169776 · 2006-10-02 (October 2, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK, AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. IT WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. 20,790 miles reported. Look up ODI 10169776 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10171655 · 2006-10-23 (October 23, 2006)

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. THE SPEEDOMETER GOES FROM 0-120 IN A MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS AND BACK DOWN. I CANNOT TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR INCIDENCES FOUND ON THE INTERNET. I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY REAL ISSUES, BUT I COULD SEE IT HAPPENING IF YOU WERE NOT WITH OTHER TRAFFIC TO VERIFY YOUR SPEED.

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171655 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10175522 · 2006-12-07 (December 7, 2006)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175522 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10175739 · 2006-12-11 (December 11, 2006)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175739 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10176854 · 2006-12-22 (December 22, 2006)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176854 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.