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GMC SavanaModel year report

2004 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,925miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2004 GMC Savana. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (17% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,925 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 509 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 18 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the filler pipe and cap and 34 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “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 complaint #10260707, filed 2009-03, 87,927 miles

Fuel system: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10497641, filed 2013-02, 96,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 complaint #10538171, filed 2013-08, 63,000 miles

Air bags: “While driving 35 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. This caused the driver to sustain major injuries ,and was transported to a hospital by ambulance. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection.”

NHTSA complaint #10117552, filed 2005-04

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,000 and 87,927 miles.

13%0–1025%10–2513%25–5013%50–7538%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 45,925 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200432005200720092013201420192022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Savana 15/25 AWD Conversion (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 AWD (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) RWD6.0L 8-cyl · bifuel (cng)4-speed automatic111512$5,600
Savana Passenger (Bi-fuel) RWD6.0L 8-cyl · bifuel (cng)4-speed automatic111512$5,600
Savana Cargo (dedicated CNG) RWD6.0L 8-cyl · natural gas4-speed automatic111512$3,850
Savana Passenger (dedicated CNG) RWD6.0L 8-cyl · natural gas4-speed automatic111512$3,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2004 GMC Savana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 509 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 509 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2004 GMC Savana as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (17% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.

Has the 2004 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 2004 GMC Savana (Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,925 miles and the middle half falls between 17,000 and 87,927 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.