Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2016.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 54
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Suburban 2500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 7
4% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2004 compares with every other Chevrolet Suburban 2500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
730.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 63,000 mi
Brakes
626.1%
Median failure at 78,000 miles
Seats
28.7%
Median failure at 52,565 miles
Steering
28.7%
Median failure at 31,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
28.7%
Median failure at 118,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
14.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
14.3%
Median failure at 144,000 miles
Body & Structure
14.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Airbags
14.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 150,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
14.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
28.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
834.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
730.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
313.0%
150,000+ miles
28.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2006peak 2Jul 2016
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 63,000 milesJohnston, IAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN 02/2008. POWER SEAT ADJUSTER AND SEAT HEATER QUIT WORKING. PROBLEM FOUND TO BE HIGH RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR UNDER DRIVERS SEAT. SUBSTANTIAL BURNING AND MELTING OF THE CONNECTOR PRESENT. SECOND OCCURRENCE ON 2/13/09, FOUND SAME HIGH RESISTANCE PROBLEM AT THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN BODY AND REAR HATCH. CAUSED REAR WIPER AND DEFROSTER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. BOTH INCIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT A VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT THAT IS PRODUCED BY CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH A HIGH RESISTANCE CONNECTION. BOTH CONNECTORS HAVE EVIDENCE OF EXTREME HEAT AND LEAD ME TO BE LESS THAN CONFIDENT THAT THESE TWO CONNECTORS ARE THE ONLY ONES ON THIS VEHICLE THAT ARE FAULTY. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SEAT CONNECTOR IN FEBRUARY OF 2008, BUT FIND NO RECORD OF IT AT SAFECAR.GOV AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10258853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesElsberry, MOCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10215312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 103,500 milesProctorville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES BETWEEN THE AREA OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND ABS MODULATOR HEAVILY CORRODED. ONE OR MORE LINES FAILED ON 7/10/2016 REQUIRING VEHICLE TOW. VEHICLE WAS OPERATIONAL ASIDE FROM THE FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN DEPRESSED, VEHICLE BRAKE PEDDLE HAD LITTLE RESISTANCE AND TRAVELED COMPLETELY TO FLOOR PANEL UNDER NORMAL PRESSURE FROM FOOT. THE INCIDENT/FAILURE OCCURRED DURING NORMAL TRAVEL AND DURING AN ATTEMPTED STOP AT RED LIGHT. BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE PREVENTED A SAFE STOP AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION RUNNING A RED LIGHT. FORTUNATELY, THE INTERSECTION WAS CLEAR AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS AND A TOW VEHICLE CALLED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE APPLIED. TOWING EXPENSE- 125.00 PARTS EXPENSE- 85.00 (REPLACING ALL AFFECTED LINES, FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM.) LABOR- 100.00 APPROX.
NHTSA complaint #10883886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesCopemish, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL RUNNING OUT TOP OF GAS TANK AFTER FUELING
NHTSA complaint #10865319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesStafford, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT IDLE I NOTED EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AFTER PLACING MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND WAS VERY SLOW IN RETURN. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND VISUALLY CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CONNECTIONS. I NOTED THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS NOT COMPLETELY AT THE FULL MARK. I CONTINUED TO OBSERVE THE HYDRAULIC CONNECTIONS AND FOUND NO ACTIVE LEAK AND NO FLUID ON THE GROUND BENEATH THE VEHICLE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP IN TOWN (OUT OF STATE VISIT) ADVISING THE SHOP OWNER OF THE PROBLEM INVOLVING BRAKE TRAVEL. A MECHANIC DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINES ON MY VEHICLE WERE ROUTED ALONG THE VEHICLE FRAME, MADE OF STEEL, AND UNPROTECTED RESULTING IN CORROSION, HOLES, AND ACTIVE LEAKS. TWO OF THE LINES WERE REPAIRED AND NOW THE REMAINING TWO LINES REQUIRE REPAIR. I OBSERVED AND NOTED CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ALONG THE VEHICLE FRAME RUNNING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND CROSSING OVER THE RIGHT SIDE. I BELIEVE THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND FAILED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCATED IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION TAG. THIS LOCATION WAS OBSCURED FROM VIEW BECAUSE A PLASTIC WIRING HARNESS IS ROUTED BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINES AND EXTERIOR OF THE FRAME. I BELIEVE THE PLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC CONDUIT CONCEALS VISION / INSPECTION OF CORRODING BRAKE LINES. I BELIEVE UNPROTECTED STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE SUBJECT TO PHYSICAL ABRASION AND MOISTURE BETWEEN THE UNPROTECTED BRAKE LINE AND THE VEHICLE FRAME RESULTING IN BRAKE LINE FATIGUE AND WATER BASED CORROSION RESULTING IN HOLES AND FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM. I NEVER OBSERVED THE OPERATION OF THE "BRAKE" ICON LOCATED ON THE VEHICLE MESSAGE PANEL.
NHTSA complaint #10482767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesBIG Spring, TX
ENGINE
THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE BROKE AND NOW THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXHAUST LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10476574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesGlen Cove, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH UP AN INCLINE, THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND SUDDENLY THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FOUR BRAKE LINES RUPTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10425640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesManchester, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FORWARD BRAKE LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGHOUT WHICH LED TO A LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT BRAKE FAILURE. OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE RUSTED SOMEWHAT PREMATURELY.
NHTSA complaint #10361649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,760 milesMaple Grove, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING CORRECTLY IT DOES NOT GO BELOW 42 MPH AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO BELOW 90 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10358848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesAllen, TX
STRUCTURE
TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN. LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING THEN WILL NOT UNLOCK. THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO OPEN THE TRUNK, HENCE NO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10311737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesAllen, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN. LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING THEN WILL NOT UNLOCK. THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO OPEN THE TRUNK, HENCE NO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10311737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesMalone, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500. AT LOW SPEEDS, HE WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. IT SEEMED THAT THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE AND CAUSE HIM TO MOVE A FEW FEET FORWARD. THE ABS ALSO INCREASED THE STOPPING DISTANCE AND ALMOST CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH ON TWO OCCASIONS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THERE WERE NO CODES PRODUCED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND ASKED IF THEY COULD INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE IN RECALL 05V379000 BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 80,300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. UPDATED 2/22/10 *CN UPDATED 05/17/10.
NHTSA complaint #10302161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesStafford, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUSTER IN THE VEHICLE WAS FAULTY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST SHE IS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, WHICH WOULD COST BETWEEN $500-$600. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA complaint #10276187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesJohnston, IAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN 02/2008. POWER SEAT ADJUSTER AND SEAT HEATER QUIT WORKING. PROBLEM FOUND TO BE HIGH RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR UNDER DRIVERS SEAT. SUBSTANTIAL BURNING AND MELTING OF THE CONNECTOR PRESENT. SECOND OCCURRENCE ON 2/13/09, FOUND SAME HIGH RESISTANCE PROBLEM AT THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN BODY AND REAR HATCH. CAUSED REAR WIPER AND DEFROSTER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. BOTH INCIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT A VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT THAT IS PRODUCED BY CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH A HIGH RESISTANCE CONNECTION. BOTH CONNECTORS HAVE EVIDENCE OF EXTREME HEAT AND LEAD ME TO BE LESS THAN CONFIDENT THAT THESE TWO CONNECTORS ARE THE ONLY ONES ON THIS VEHICLE THAT ARE FAULTY. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SEAT CONNECTOR IN FEBRUARY OF 2008, BUT FIND NO RECORD OF IT AT SAFECAR.GOV AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10258853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,198 milesTustin, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER JUMPED FROM APPROX.69 TO 110 AND CONTINUED TO STAY HAYWIRE AND IS NOT READING ACCURATELY. APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM BY CHEVY BUT THEY ARE ONLY REPAIRING IN 7 YEARS 70,000 MILES. OF COURSE I AM AT 4 YEARS AND AT 77,000. I WAS OVER 74K MILES WHEN NOTICE CAME OUT SO EVEN THEN WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET KNOWN DEFECT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10250850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,341 milesFresno, OH
SEATS
A SHORT IN THE WIRING THAT POWERS THE HEATED SEATS AND POWER DRIVERS SEAT. CONNECTOR IS BURNED AND MELTED. AS A RESULT OF THE SHORT, MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED TWICE. LUCKILY THIS WAS FOUND BEFORE A FIRE OR SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10244730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,341 milesFresno, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A SHORT IN THE WIRING THAT POWERS THE HEATED SEATS AND POWER DRIVERS SEAT. CONNECTOR IS BURNED AND MELTED. AS A RESULT OF THE SHORT, MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED TWICE. LUCKILY THIS WAS FOUND BEFORE A FIRE OR SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10244730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesBriceville, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
REAR HEATER HOSE RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF VEHICLE CAUSED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10243089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,789 milesJohnston, IA
SEATS
POWER SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE QUIT WORKING ALONG WITH SEAT WARMERS ON BOTH FRONT SEATS. EXAMINATION FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL FEED AT THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD FAILED IN SOME MANNER, CAUSING HIGH RESISTANCE IN THE POWER AND GROUND CIRCUITS WHICH IN TURN LED TO ARCING AND BURNING OF THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE CONNECTOR AND ITS PROXIMITY TO CARPETING AND POTENTIAL CONTENTS IN THE VEHICLE RAISES CONCERNS OF A POSSIBLE INTERIOR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10218212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesElsberry, MOCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10215312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesRedondo Beach, CA
STEERING
2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN 2500 SERIES WITH QUADRASTEER. THE REAR WHEEL STEERING FAULTS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 5 MILES, OFTEN WHEN EXITING A TURN. THIS CAN LEAVE THE REAR WHEELS FULL LEFT (OR RIGHT) IF THE TURN WAS TIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRAB DOWN THE ROAD SIDEWAYS. IF THE ROAD IS NOT WIDE AND THE DRIVER IS NOT EXTREMELY AWARE A SIDESWIPE ACCIDENT COULD EASILY OCCUR. THE REAR WHEELS SLOWLY SELF CENTER AFTER 10 TO 15 SECONDS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES. THEY EITHER SAY THEY HAVE REPLACED A SENSOR, TIGHTENED A LOOSE CONNECTION, OR NO PROBLEM FOUND. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE OK FOR 20 MILES OR SO BUT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS RECURS. UNABLE TO GET IT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10195022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesGarland, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN SPEEDOMETER STARTS SLOWLY REGISTERING DOWN TO ZERO 2. COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST I WAS GOING 3. DEALERSHIP AGREED TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10188658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesJohnston, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS NOT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS WRONG, CAUSING HER TO DRIVE AT AN UNSAFE SPEED, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN EXCESSIVE SPEED ACCIDENT. CONVERSELY, AS THE SPEEDOMETER TYPICALLY READS A SPEED HIGHER THAN ACTUAL SPEED, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT CREATING A TRAFFIC HAZARD BY IMPEDING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND POSSIBLY BEING REAR ENDED BY A FASTER VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CONCERNS ARE A SAFETY RISK WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10184073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesDamascus, MD
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER ASSIST STEERING AND THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BOOSTER HAD FAILED, ALONG WITH THE BOOSTER THAT LED TO THE POWER ASSIST BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10165245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesDamascus, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER ASSIST STEERING AND THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BOOSTER HAD FAILED, ALONG WITH THE BOOSTER THAT LED TO THE POWER ASSIST BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10165245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.