2004 GMC Savana: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern fuel system, gasoline.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2022
“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.”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2019
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2012
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2009
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2007
“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”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2005
“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. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2005
“While driving rear end failed, vehicle skidded, and it caught on fire. Also, transmission was inoperable, and tail lights malfunctioned. Contacted gmc. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2004
“Consumer noticed that while driving vehicle shook uncontrollably. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that steering shaft pitman and idler arm needed to be replaced. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred previously, and the problem had not been resolved. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY THAT MAY SEPARATE. IF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR MAY NO LONGER CORRELATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
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 (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.
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, 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.
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.
CERTAIN VANS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING A LATCH WITH A BRITTLE CONDITION THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. THE RECALL BEAGN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
How other years compare
Check your exact Savana by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 GMC Savana reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 GMC Savana. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline.
Does the 2004 GMC Savana have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.