Model year
2004 Chevrolet Suburban
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 204 complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 202 complaints under SUBURBAN 1500 and SUBURBAN 2500. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL (41), SERVICE BRAKES (32), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (25). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,450–$4,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 282 complaints
- 2001 440 complaints
- 2002 286 complaints
- 2003 301 complaints
- 2004 204 complaints
- 2005 129 complaints
- 2006 23 complaints
- 2007 292 complaints
- 2008 213 complaints
- 2009 106 complaints
- 2010 117 complaints
- 2011 148 complaints
- 2012 101 complaints
- 2013 118 complaints
- 2014 59 complaints
- 2015 431 complaints
- 2016 220 complaints
- 2017 142 complaints
- 2018 84 complaints
- 2019 78 complaints
- 2020 44 complaints
- 2021 200 complaints
- 2022 124 complaints
- 2023 131 complaints
- 2024 45 complaints
- 2025 31 complaints
- 2026 18 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
06V289000 · Aug 3, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
05V163000 · Apr 22, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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…
05V043000 · Feb 8, 2005
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.
04V045000 · Feb 4, 2004
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…
Complaints
204 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 12, fire flag on 6, injury field 10, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SUBURBAN 1500 | 0 | 182 |
| SUBURBAN 2500 | 0 | 20 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA04012 | HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Apr 30, 2004 | Feb 28, 2005 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Suburban 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Suburban 1500 AWD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Suburban 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Suburban 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Suburban 1500 AWD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Chevrolet Suburban at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.