2004 Chevrolet Suburban
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 156 of 386 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 476 in 2003 to 386 in 2004.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,450–4,800 | 4,450–4,800 | 4,150–4,450 | 4,150–4,450 | 4,150–4,800 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–14 | 13–14 | 14–15 | 14–15 | 13–15 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–13 / 15–17 | 12–13 / 16–17 | 13–14 / 17–18 | 13–14 / 17–18 | 12–13 / 16–18 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 635–684 | 635–684 | 592–635 | 592–635 | 592–684 | |
| Complaints filed | 406 | 476 | 386 | 223 | 54 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 27 | 29 | 14 | 6 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 30 | 34 | 12 | 4 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban?
Electrical: 156 of 386 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban get?
EPA rates it 14–15 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban?
EPA estimates $4,150–$4,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | 15 mpg (high) | $4,150 (low) | 592 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $4,450 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $4,450 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 13 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $4,450 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $4,450 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $4,450 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 29 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 156 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 92 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 27 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 18 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
WHEELS:HUB · Campaign 07E106000 · Dec 19, 2007
Defect: 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 MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Consequence: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 06V289000 · Aug 3, 2006
Defect: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E043000 · May 22, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 05V163000 · Apr 22, 2005
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · Campaign 05V043000 · Feb 8, 2005
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · Campaign 04V045000 · Feb 6, 2004
Defect: 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.