2004 Chevrolet SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING BRAKES FAILED WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP. DRIVER AVOIDED A COLLISION BY CONTINUING TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056005 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 2004 K2500 CHEV. SUBURBAN WITH THE ELECTRIC CAMPER MIRROR OPTION. I HAVE DRIVEN IT TWO WEEKS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER (CONVEX) MIRROR HAS A HUGE BLIND SPOT THAT HIDES ALL CARS AND UP TO MEDIUM SIZE TRUCKS. IT IS DANGEROUS. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY CONFIRMED THERE IS NOT FIX AND ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE SERVICE MANANGER HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THIS BE CORRECTED. CHEVROLE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057146 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED AT LOW SPEED WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO SPARE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. *PH CONSUMER MADE A SEARCH IN THE INTERNET AND FOUND A SIMILAR COMPLAINT (ODI: 10056005). *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066980 at NHTSA ↗

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. FROM THE BACK SEAT SHE REACHED UP TO TURN OFF THE RADIO AND ACCIDENTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE. THE DRIVES SIDE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN. WHEN THE SUBURBAN ROLLED OUT OF THE GARAGE THE REAR DOOR CAUGHT ON THE GARAGE DOOR KEEPING IT FROM ROLLING INTO THE STREET, INTO A PEDESTRIAN OR INTO THE HOUSE ACCROSS THE STRE…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068205 at NHTSA ↗

NEW 2004 SUBURBAN HAS THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHIFT LEVER UNLOCKED WHEN VEHICLE KEY IS PUT INTO ACCESORY POSITION WITH NO SHIFT INTERLOCK INTERVENTION. 1ST NIGHT HOME WITH VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND EXAMINING VEHICLE FEATURES MY 2 YEAR SOLD SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS IN DRIVEWAY!!!!*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072551 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER TAKING 90-DEGREE RIGHT TURN FROM STREET INTO PARKING LOT THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WAS LOST, ALTHOUGH FORWARD MOTION WAS STILL POSSIBLE (I.E. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL). AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE FORWARD MOTION WAS POSSIBLE BUT STEERING AND BRAKING WERE STILL NOT WORKING. UPON A SECOND RESTART STEERING AND BRAKING WERE RESTORED, ALTHOUGH SOME LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO APPLEWAY CHEVROLET IN SPOKANE, WA. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP INITIALLY INDICATED THER…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074967 at NHTSA ↗

MU SUV STALLED ON THE I-15 FREEWAY. I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH. OUTSIDE TEMP. WAS 95F. ELEVATION 5000 FT. AT THE TOP OF CAJUN PASS. I WAS GOING TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DEALER REPLACED TH FUEL PUMP. THE SUV HAD 1200 MILES. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081267 at NHTSA ↗

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE FOUR TIMES. IT WAS DONE AGAIN TODAY, AND THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. *AK *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 11,253 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087197 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

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.

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

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 HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Reported: 2005-02-08 (February 8, 2005)

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.

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

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 RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Reported: 2005-04-22 (April 22, 2005)

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 OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

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, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Reported: 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)

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.

Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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 1-866-996-9463.