The Lemon Index2004 Chevrolet Suburban.
The 2004 Chevrolet Suburban is worse than average by owner complaints: 136 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 127, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Suburban year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 406 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Suburban year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 110K miles on the car (354 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 50K–91K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 91K–152K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 27K–97K miles
Recalls 7
- wheels 2007
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, …
- engine 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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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, 2…
Show all 7 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- seat belts 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, ESPECIALL…
- brakes 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 OPERA…
- brakes 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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 803 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…
- Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in the steering wheel
- Lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedHydraulic pump failres2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban and the speedometer has begun to show an erratic behavior. When I am going 55 mph the speedometer may show 120 mph and it does not reset itself to 0 mph at a stop.
2004 Chevrolet Suburban owner · NHTSA complaint 10189048
More owner reports
Center console with rear climate and radio controls stopped working. Took it to riverton Chevrolet, and they replaced some faulty wiring.
NHTSA complaint 10109859
Speedometer failure began with the needle "jerking" as vehicle speed increased and eventually, one night the needle went beyond 120 mph and stuck on the peg while I was on a rural highway with no way to gauge my speed.
NHTSA complaint 10203427
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 127; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Suburban year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (49%), steering (10%) and brakes (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have?
7 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Suburban problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,800 and 110,800 miles. The middle report was at 78,000 miles, from 354 complaints.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Suburban year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works