2004 Chevrolet Suburban Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 204 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, 6% of the 204 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10424360, filed 2011-09, 90,000 miles“When the consumer was hit at 30 MPH, the side air bags did not deploy. There were minor injuries. The consumer had the vehicle towed. Please provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #10096713, filed 2004-10, 3,000 miles“Dt: the contact has a 2004 Suburban. It has been in the repair shop 4-5 times for air bag problems. The air bag light would come on periodically and then it would stay on. In may 05 the dealer replaced the connectors. Since then they have had to replace the air bag on the driver's side, and the computer that goes to the air bag on driver's side. They replaced the connectors again last week on 8-17-05. The contact talked to GM, and they offered him an extension on the warranty for the air bag. No one was able to give a definitive answer as what was causing the air bag problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10134039, filed 2005-09, 29,569 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. While the vehicle was in motion, the driver's side air bag deployed with force. A yellow substance emitted inside the vehicle when the failure occurred. The deployment occurred without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11191828, filed 2019-03, 128,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph he noticed the temperature gauge increased to the high indicator. The engine coolant hot message was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to pull over there was an abnormal popping noise and smoke was detected. The air bag warning light illuminated and the driver's side air bag deployed without impact or crash and struck the driver in the face, chest, and right hand. There was no medical attention provided, or a fire or police report filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11499926, filed 2023-01, 200,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 4 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 6 | 3% |
| 2015 | 11 | 3% |
| 2014 | 15 | 25% |
| 2013 | 28 | 24% |
| 2012 | 25 | 25% |
| 2011 | 66 | 45% |
| 2010 | 52 | 44% |
| 2009 | 38 | 36% |
| 2008 | 96 | 45% |
| 2007 | 146 | 50% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 10 | 8% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 18 | 6% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 14 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 8 | 2% |
| 1996 | 16 | 4% |
| 1995 | 18 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
72 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology