NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
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 STREET. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I NOTIFIED GM PRODUCT ALLIGATIONS DEPARTMENT, TIM MILLER, ABOUT THE INCIDENT. HE STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD BE PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT USING THE BREAK WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO LOOK INTO THIS AS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OWNERS MANUAL SUGGESTS THAT YOU USE THE ACCESSORY KEY POSITIONING TO "LET YOU USE THINGS LIKE THE RADIO, POWER WINDOWS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF". I THINK THAT GM NEEDS TO LOOK AT INSTALLING SOME TYPE OF FEATURE THAT REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE ENGAGED TO SHIFT THE GREAR OUT OF PARK EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS PLACED IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION SIMILARY TO STANDARD NO. 102 - TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT - PASSENGER CARS, MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, TRUCKS, AND BUSES (EFFECTIVE 1-1-68) THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, A STARTER INTERLOCK, AND FOR A BRAKING EFFECT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SHIFTING ERRORS, STARTER ENGAGEMENT WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE POSITION, AND TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL BRAKING AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 KM/H (25 MPH). PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH INSTALLING SOME TYPE OF SAFETY MEASURES IN THE CHEV. SURBAN SO A FATAL INJURY DOES NOT OCCUR.*AK
LEFT FRONT PARKING LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I SEE OTHER VEHICLE, SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LIGHT HOUSING IS NOT SEALED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED CHANGE THE BULB BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR
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. CHEVROLET'S POSITION IS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO NOTHING ELSE. *AK
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
2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATES UNSATISFACTORY TRANSACTION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE ON HIS VEHICLE. THE TIRE WAS STORED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A CABLE LOWERING MECHANISM. THE TIRE WOULD LOWER ONLY FOUR INCHES BECAUSE OF A SECONDARY LATCH SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO BE RELEASED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE CONSUMER SPENT HOURS OVER A THREE DAY PERIOD OF TIME, TRYING TO GET THE TIRE LOWERED TO THE GROUND. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM RELEASE IT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOWER IT EITHER. THEY REMOVED THE ENTIRE MECHANISM AND THE TIRE AND AT THE CONSUMERS REQUEST THEY PUT IT IN THE CARGO AREA. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS CONCERN WAS THAT THE SYSTEM WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED. IT WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUST AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHICH COULD ALLOW IT TO MALFUNCTION. *JB
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