2004 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Owner Complaints

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 ID

10883886

Incident

Jul 10, 2016

Mileage

103,500 mi

FUEL RUNNING OUT TOP OF GAS TANK AFTER FUELING

NHTSA ID

10865319

Incident

May 15, 2016

Mileage

144,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482767

Incident

Aug 10, 2012

Mileage

115,000 mi

THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE BROKE AND NOW THE VEHICLE HAS AN EXHAUST LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476574

Incident

Aug 20, 2012

Mileage

154,000 mi

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 ID

10425640

Incident

Sep 14, 2011

Mileage

80,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10361649

Incident

Aug 13, 2010

Mileage

70,000 mi

SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING CORRECTLY IT DOES NOT GO BELOW 42 MPH AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO BELOW 90 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10358848

Incident

Sep 27, 2010

Mileage

71,760 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10311737

Incident

Nov 10, 2009

Mileage

80,000 mi

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.*JB

NHTSA ID

10302161

Incident

Nov 19, 2009

Mileage

76,000 mi

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 ID

10276187

Incident

Jul 9, 2009

Mileage

87,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10258853

Incident

Feb 13, 2009

Mileage

63,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250850

Incident

Dec 4, 2008

Mileage

77,198 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10244730

Incident

Oct 4, 2008

Mileage

52,341 mi

REAR HEATER HOSE RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF VEHICLE CAUSED A FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10243089

Incident

Sep 22, 2008

Mileage

82,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10218212

Incident

Feb 16, 2008

Mileage

52,789 mi

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 ID

10215312

Incident

Jan 11, 2008

Mileage

150,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10195022

Incident

Jun 29, 2004

Mileage

5,000 mi

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. *JB

NHTSA ID

10188658

Incident

Apr 21, 2007

Mileage

38,000 mi

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. *JB

NHTSA ID

10184073

Incident

Mar 2, 2007

Mileage

45,000 mi

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 ID

10165245

Incident

Aug 7, 2006

Mileage

57,000 mi