Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
122,474 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chevrolet Suburban brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments

problem #9

Jul 222020

Suburban

  • 270,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The hydro booster is defective. The car triggers my breaks and makes noises make steering braking difficult. It happens everyfay throught the day while im driving

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #8

Oct 062016

Suburban

  • 93,267 miles
Total brake failure (vehicle has 95,387) miles) at 40 mph in motion. Stabil-trac light indicated at the time of failure, service brake indicator on display information console.. deployed 4WD low, dropped to lower gear and hit emergency brake to stop the vehicle on shoulder of road. Got out of vehicle saw brake fluid all over the skids and frame. Cause: Towed to local shop indicated that brake lines on driver side and lines going to front wheel were completely rusty and "like paper". this was unsettling I don't live near saltwater but drive the vehicle a lot in winter. Had I been in a densely populated area, there certainly would have been loss of life. This vehicle weighs over 6000 lbs and no brakes is like to trying to stop a train. Please investigate similar failures as this failure in similar vehicles/any vehicle could cause loss of life.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #7

Nov 122013

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
I was driving at highway speed just starting to exit off ramp brakes went to the floor and dash lights came on for brakes, also stability loss message came on. Could have been killed or had serious accident.lucky did not but is a very serious issue.brought to shop and was told and shown all brake lines were rusted real bad and one broke open while I was exiting that off ramp.I called GM but they did nothing! I was very upset with this and feel this should be brought to the attention of someone who will really look into this for the safety of all.also my 1997 Chevy conversion van, and my husbands 2005 Chevy Silverado the same thing happened to those brake lines while driving broke open due to rust, losing brakes while driving.van mileage was 70000, and Silverado mileage was 75000.this is so dangerous I urge you to please check into it before someone gets killed.I recently saw on the news that suburu recalled cars in northern states for rusted brake lines same as this.GM should be doing the same.

- Huguenot, NY, USA

problem #6

Jun 262014

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had the vehicle in park, on a hill, and when I shifted it into drive, felt a pop in the pedal. Then the brakes would not hold the vehicle. I had a very difficult time stopping the vehicle due to the loss of brake pressure. The brakes pedal would just fall to the floor. My husband came out and found one of the rear brake lines was rusted and leaking fluid. The brake lines have visible rust on the outside of them.

- Villa Park, IL, USA

problem #5

Sep 152011

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The vehicle will shut off at interstate and low speeds and show reduced power and stability system disabled. This is very dangerous, I was nearly killed on the interstate by and 18 wheeler coming up behind me when the engine shut down..

- Mandeville, LA, USA

problem #4

Apr 062012

Suburban

  • 149,000 miles
Was driving at a very low rate of speed; trying to stop when what felt like the antilock brakes kicked on and the message "traction active" appeared on my console. This made it very difficult to control and stop the vehicle. Then when trying to accelerate, vehicle would lug down and not want to go. There was also a noise, like a pump or something when trying to brake or accelerate. Turning off the stabilitrack seems to stop this from happening, which in turn means I do not have antilock brakes. This is a huge safety issue, especially if trying to merge, pass through an intersection or while driving at a high rate of speed.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #3

Aug 092011

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At random you will just be driving down the road and a message comes on that says reduce engine power and the T/C light comes on along with the check engine light. This has happened several times, is very unsafe, and is getting worse. We have had work done to try and fix the problem but its still happening. We don't have tons of money to fix this, live in the country, and have 5 kids. This is our only transportation and we have a rather large loan on the thing and its turning into yard art.

- Forman, ND, USA

problem #2

Jul 292011

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
With cruise control on at 70mph, attempted to change from left to right lane. Another car sped up the right lane to pass me. Turned steering wheel back to left lane and suddenly had no control over steering, braking and the steering wheel started violently shaking. Car rolled twice, over metal median and turned 180 degrees facing the opposite direction on the interstate w/ roof crushed in. Neither side or front air bags deployed. Front and sides smashed in and frame bent. Vehicle was deemed to be totaled by state farm. Have been driving 40 years and have never had an accident in my life. Only good thing was the seatbelt held tight as I was hanging upside down when the car finally stopped. The day before this occurred I noticed that the stability control system would randomly engage during straight driving on a perfectly dry surface. I purchased this vehicle brand new from the dealer in 2004 and the car was meticulously maintained. (it looked brand new).

- Keller, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 032007

Suburban

  • miles
Engine intermittently goes into "reduced engine power" "traction control disabled" for no apparent reason. Engine power is reduced by two thirds. Issue has been occurring for approximately 2 years now. GM/Chevy dealership has been unable to resolve the issue. I've had the car in the shop over 20 times some times on a weekly basis. Throttle body, tac, battery cables, and other components have been changed to no avail. Several close calls on the freeway with 18 wheelers bearing down on rear end when issue has occurred. I no longer allow my wife and kids in the car. I'm sure someone will eventually die as a result of this issue and maybe then GM will address the issue. Hopefully when it happens it will not involve small children which is what Suburban are typically purchased for...to drive around families with small children. Consumers thinking they are purchasing a good size vehicle that will keep their family safe should steer away from GM products.

- Wellington, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?