RoadVitals

2004 GMC Savana

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Nov 1, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Apr 6, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 GMC Savana, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and interior & seats categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 593 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes214.3%
  • Fuel system214.3%
  • Interior & seats17.1%
  • Exterior lighting17.1%
  • Other / unspecified17.1%
  • Powertrain (other)17.1%
  • Seat belts17.1%
  • Steering17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V247000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Apr 6, 2023
150,830 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
The risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N222386050View on NHTSA.gov
12V388000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Aug 8, 2012
9,389 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Water and road contaminants may become trapped in the protective conduit that covers the fuel filler pipe and may cause the pipe to corrode.
The risk: Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS LLCManufacturer number 12166View on NHTSA.gov
05V558000

SEAT BELTS

Dec 19, 2005
425,593 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05113View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 12
Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 GMC Savana. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V045000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ID
11491736
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Mileage
92,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 17, 2019

PROBLEM IS WITH A NEW TIRE PURCHASE BF GOODRICH LT245/75R16 BFG COMMERCIAL TA A/S2. I NOTICE FLAT SPOTTING EVERY MORNING AND IT COULD TAKE 1/2 HR OF DRIVING TO CLEAR UP BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 60 YRS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A BAD TIRE. IF IT HAS FLAT SPOTS WITH 70PSI AND MIN. LOAD WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH FULL LOAD. RETURNED TO DEALER BUT HE FAILS TO SEE A PROBLEM. I WAS PARKED 12HRS AND PROBLEM APPEARS EACH MORNING. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS TIRE ON MY TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
11289654
Incident
Nov 16, 2019
Filed Aug 20, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

SUBMISSION FROM EXPLORER VAN CO., RE RECEIPT OF YOUR CORRESPONDENCE DATED JULY 10, 2014 REGARDING THE EARLY WARNING REPORTING OF DEATHS AND INJURIES. *SMD THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING A 2004 GMC SAVANA, WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS AND PERMANENT INJURIES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10626705
Incident
Feb 23, 2012
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 30, 2013

THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IT ONLY HAS 63K PLUS MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY BECAME ERRATIC. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO "D", BUT THE SECOND AND THE FIRST GEAR WORKS FINE. WE WERE TOLD BY GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BY A GMC DEALER TO FIND OUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE RESULTS INDICATED NO PROBLEMS WERE DETECTED OR NO CODES WERE SHOWING UP ON THEIR COMPUTER, GMC THEN TOLD US THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE COULD NOT AFFORD A NEWLY REBUILT TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
10538171
Incident
Jun 3, 2013
Mileage
63,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 10, 2013

NO INCIDENT ...YET. NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AFTER REFUELING JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2012. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE EVER SINCE. CHECKED OUT RECALLS AND SAW THIS ONE, BUT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. THIS RECALL (LISTED BELOW) IS EXACTLY WHAT IS THE ISSUE WITH MY GMC VAN. IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BUT FOR SOME REASON IS NOT. I AM GOING TO FIX IT MYSELF (AT MY OWN EXPENSE), BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM NOT GOING TO RISK THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP RECALL NUMBER: 12V388000 RECALL DATE: 08/08/2012 PROBLEM SUMMARY: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A LEFT SIDE CARGO DOOR, AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. WATER AND ROAD CONTAMINANTS MAY BECOME TRAPPED IN THE PROTECTIVE CONDUIT THAT COVERS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND MAY CAUSE THE PIPE TO CORRODE. CONSEQUENCE: SIGNIFICANT CORROSION MAY ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK DURING REFUELING, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE; THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE. CORRECTIVE ACTION: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL FILLER NECK, FREE OF CHARGE. GM HAS NOT PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. THIS RECALL AFFECTS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 05/14/2003 AND 06/24/2003. *TR

NHTSA ID
10497641
Incident
Dec 6, 2012
Mileage
96,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 4, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE MAXIMUM EFFORT IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO CATCH. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V043000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 87,927.

NHTSA ID
10260707
Incident
Feb 10, 2009
Mileage
87,927 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2007

FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO "QUICK CONNECT" SPLIT NEAR THE MUFFLER. WITH THE PRESSURE OF THE FUEL PUMP, GASOLINE WAS SPEWING OUT OF THE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK NEAR THE MUFFLER. IT HAD HAPPENED TWO WEEKS OR SO EARLIER BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE IT BECAUSE I'D HAD A GAS SPILL FROM A LEAF BLOWER IN THE BACK OF THE VAN AND THOUGHT THAT WAS THE SMELL (EVEN THOUGH I'D WIPED IT UP). I WENT TO MY MECHANIC TO SEE IF HE COULD CLEAN THE SPILL. HE FOUND THE SPLIT THAT WAS CAUSING THE ODOR. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A REAL FIRE HAZARD. THE FUEL LINE IS PLASTIC, MY MECHANIC SAYS, AND THERE ARE VERY FEW AVAILABLE (NONE AT FACTORY WAREHOUSES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10195969
Incident
Jul 9, 2007
Mileage
28,850 mi
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Dec 15, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE SECOND ROW RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WAS INSERTED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED THE APPROPRIATE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED, THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . *AK THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINER WAS NOT WORKING. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10145264
Incident
Aug 22, 2005
Mileage
17,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Savana by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026030—
2025040—
2024000—
2023020—
2022221—
2021231—
2020020—
2019550—
2018371—
2017661—
2016671—
2015240—
2014170—
2013290—
2012370—
2011150—
2010340—
2009280—
2008370—
2007630—
2006770—
2005125039.8
2004Viewing127054.8
20032211054.0
2002120137.5
2001190035.6
2000492155.7
1999492046.4
1998332042.3
1997462049.9
1996353043.1
1995200—
1994100—
1993000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.