2004 Chevrolet Suburban Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 204 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,018miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the 204 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,018 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I was driving along the freeway and I noticed that on the computerized dashboard, the service tire monitor was flashing. I was driving 50 MPH and when I looked at the speedometer, the gauge went up to 120 MPH and even though I turned the engine off the gauge is still at 120 MPH. I also noticed that the battery gauge is not working, because the gauge is not moving at all and when I looked at the RPM gauge, I was only pressing the gas slightly, the RPM gauge went up to the maximum level. …”
NHTSA complaint #10234432, filed 2008-07, 67,880 miles“There is a lack of power with my 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. My previous 1999 chevy tahoe towed my boat and trailer easily my new Suburban with 40 more horsepower has a very difficult time towing the trailer. It is very difficult to maintain highway speeds without the transmission constantly shifting in and out of lower gears. It doesn't seem to matter if I am in tow mode or not. With 40 more hp. Than the other vehicle and the same amount of torque this should be easy for this truck. More importantly there is a great lack of acceleration when you depress the pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10133100, filed 2005-08, 10,000 miles“I had my 2004 chev Suburban parked in my garage. My 8 years old daughter was in the back seat listening to the radio. I had the gear in park and the key in the accessory position so she could listen to the radio. From the back seat she reached up to turn off the radio and accidently hit the gear shift. The car went into reverse. The drives side rear door was open. When the Suburban rolled out of the garage the rear door caught on the garage door keeping it from rolling into the street, into a pedestrian or into the house accross the street. There were no injuries. …”
NHTSA complaint #10068205, filed 2004-05, 11,000 miles“2004 Chevrolet tahoe has had the following issues before 100k miles: 1. Replaced fuel pump 2. Engine overheating(taken to the dealership service dept 2x for issue) 3. Oil pressue - lost oil pressue 4. Transmission needs replaced”
NHTSA complaint #10210000, filed 2007-11, 95,000 miles“Vehicle was able switch gears without applying brakes. As a result, the vehicle rolled down the driveway with a four year old child inside. No impact reported.”
NHTSA complaint #10092841, filed 2004-10, 3,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
- 10113325Jan 12, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 16% |
| 2023 | 19 | 14% |
| 2022 | 32 | 26% |
| 2021 | 39 | 19% |
| 2020 | 10 | 23% |
| 2019 | 38 | 49% |
| 2018 | 19 | 23% |
| 2017 | 39 | 27% |
| 2016 | 45 | 20% |
| 2015 | 48 | 11% |
| 2014 | 5 | 8% |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 7 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 9% |
| 2005 | 15 | 12% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 33 | 8% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 47 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 9% |
| 1997 | 47 | 11% |
| 1996 | 40 | 11% |
| 1995 | 25 | 5% |
| 1994 | 14 | 2% |
| 1993 | 11 | 2% |
| 1992 | 6 | 3% |
| 1991 | 9 | 17% |
| 1990 | 7 | 13% |
| 1989 | 5 | 8% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
72 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsAir bags
13 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 Oct 31, 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