Instrument Panel problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban - part 1

The speedometer gives a false reading that could cause operation of the vehicle at an unsafe speed. This first happened while driving with my family. I noticed that the speedometer seemed to be giving a false reading. Using a gps my wife was able to confirm that I was unknowingly traveling at a speed very different than the speed limit. The issue is intermittent . The dealer says this is a known problem but will not fix it despite the obvious safety concerns.

Gage failure, specifically the speedometer, on the instrument panel. The speedometer works intermittently and also gets stuck at a speed > than 75 mph when my vechicle is going much slower than that and then registers > 120mph when I am going around 60-65 mph.

The speedometer quits working or gets jumpy and sporadic in when and how it works. Vehicle only has 57000 miles on it. The only event that we thought caused it was the really cold temperatures but its warmer now and completely quit working. It is everytime we are in the vehicle driving that it doesn't work. We have not got it fixed yet. Researching problem first to make sure no recalls were done on it first.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that the speedometer gauge and fuel gauge would not display an accurate reading whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic testing where they detected that the needle within both gauges was stuck and informed that the instrument panel would need to be replaced to correct the problem. The manufacturer previously issued a voluntary recall associated with the instrument panel however the contact did not receive the notification. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the excessive mileage, although the manufacturer stated that they would consider extending the special coverage under the recall. The contact was waiting upon a response from the manufacturer regarding the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Speedometer quit working correctly it does not go below 42 mph and sometimes will not go below 90 mph.

Speedometer has completely failed on my 2004 Chevrolet Suburban. This is a known, widespread problem that gm refuses to acknowledge as a safety issue . . . And refuses to make good on . . . Despite the fact that they have already been compensated by the parts supplier. It's time for the department of transportation to step in, declare this as a safety issue (which it is), and encourage general motors to make good on these faulty parts . . . Irrespective of the arbitrary mileage cutoff they have imposed. Additional background on the issue, from a media source. . . Read more...

Gauge for speedometer gets stuck or doesn't measure at all. Contacted the dealer and they said my vehicle was above the 70k amount & 80k. I have never been contacted on this issue. But yet I get mailings for service work. The failure is ongoing.

Fuel gauge and speedometer on GMC/chevy Suburban, 2004 year. This is the second time I have had to replace the gauge cluster and GMC/chevy dealer insist this is not a safety issue and not their problem. Since replacing the fist cluster, there have been many more complaints noted on the internet. This is clearly not an exceptional defect. The failure has come after about two to three years of use, and is worse in winter, but occurs inconsistently year around. I have not yet had an accident, but I did run out of gas in a rural area in the winter because the gauge said I had half a tank when it was infact empty. Speed is an issue in icy road conditions because it is very difficult to know if your speed is appropriate for the conditions when the speed shows zero or bounces around inconsistently. The failure has occurred at about 30k miles for each cluster. Lack of support by gm on this is disconcerting. Please assist.

2004 chevy Suburban speedometer stuck and max speed with 72,300 miles. I also own 2004 chevy tahoe with oil pressure gauge stuck at maximum with 92,000 miles.

My 2004 Chevrolet Suburban with 88,000 miles has a faulty speedometer and I am unable to tell what speed I am going at all times! I have a 4 year old and a 6 year old in the car with me often and this causes me great concern over the safety of my family and I.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving the speedometer displayed inaccurate information. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the instrument panel cluster needed to be replaced. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 132,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Speedometer (pin or needle) freezes and periodically fluctuates. The driver is unable to determine the speed the vehicle is traveling. Upon approaching a hill, curve or bad weather the driver is able to negotiate speed properly,making this very dangerous and unsafe.

Speedometer reads incorrectly. Reads speeds over 30 mph while standing still, 120 mph while going 40mph, or nothing at all. It varies from day to day.

I noticed while I was driving that the speedometer seemed a little off and I was correct it starts at 10mph and while driving its about 13 mph off.

2004 chevy Suburban speedometer fails sporadically. Will stick at anytime without notice. Showing up to 120 miler per hour while parked. Cannot ascertain exact of speed of vehicle. Wper haps effects odometer and hour meter.

Speedometer stopped working when odometer read 76,000 miles. Does not work at all. Currently read 120 mph. Dealer will not fix as warranty has expired. Speedometer stopped working due to poor quality, not improper use.

The speedometer on the vehicle is not showing the true speed (it some times shows 110 when you are going 45, or shows 35 when you are going 65. This is not safe while driving on any road.

Speedometer sticks then at idle it says you are going 70 mph. If you start and stop the vehicle multiple it comes down 5 miles per hour and eventually you get back to zero. However, it will do this again and again and needs to be fixed because you can't tell you how fast you are going and I almost lost is on a 45 mile hour turn speedo said I was going 120 but in reality after stopping the Suburban I figured out I was doing about 55. This happens at all mileage and is a defect. Chevy recalled, I believe, up to 30,000 miles. Owners say it happens at 20,000; 40,000; 50,000, and well any mileage. I had 90,000 when mine started. I read one person who at 90,000 got his fixed free. Chevy wouldn't fix mine. This is a safety issue that needs to be called. Please help. I reported to chevy but they wouldn't fix. Internet says it can happen to any of the gauges in the cluster. There is a guy in oregon that replaces the 6 stepper motors. Chevy should do this for us. I've owned chevy's all my life (I"m 49) but if they don't fix this I'm done. I'd rather have a Toyota at least they are recalling. Do a google search - everyone is having this problem.

Speedometer quit working on 2004 Suburban.

Speedometer does not work. Unsure of my speed very unsafe.

The speedometer regularly fails to work, usually reading an incorrect speed (checked against a handheld gps device) and occasionally does not work at all.

Speedometer jumped from approx. 69 to 110 and continued to stay haywire and is not reading accurately. Apparently a known problem by chevy but they are only repairing in 7 years 70,000 miles. Of course I am at 4 years and at 77,000. I was over 74k miles when notice came out so even then would not have been able to get known defect fixed.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that the speedometer was inoperative and displayed inaccurate readings. The dealer stated that the instrument control panel needed to be replaced at the cost of over $300. As of March 17, 2009, the vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure mileage was 82,000 and current mileage was 84,000. Updated 04-14-09 updated 04/15/09.

Speedometer not registering accurately. While in neutral 90 mph.

My family and I were traveling on the interstate in our 2004 chevy Suburban when my speedometer started fluctuating from 20 mph to 70 mph to 120 mph. The engine didn't seem to change its running speed as the speedometer fluctuations were occurring. I only have 40k miles, and im the original owner. My wife mainly drives it to take our kids to school and their activities, and errands. Will the dealer repair for free?.

A couple of months ago I received a letter from gm informing me of a potential defect on the speedometer of any 04 chevy Suburban, but it stated that I should not take the vehicle to the dealership unless there is a problem. Yesterday 9-22-08 coming back from my son ball game the speedometer was stuck on 70 and when my husband applied the brake instead of decreasing the speedometer was going toward the 120 mark and we were almost at a complete stop. Now gm did send information that there might be problems but don't do anything unless you suspect problems. Anyway I have 78,000 miles on this vehicle and gm sent a letter that they will fix it no charge if it is under 70,000. Its a defect there shouldn't be a time limit to get it replaced a defective speedometer. It is extremely dangerous especially when children are in the vehicle. Why should anyone pay for an item that is defective. It should be replaced at no charge. I have heard of other people with the same problem as I have had. Something needs to be done such as a recall instead of a possible defect letter. Please help!.

2004 Chevrolet surburban. The speedometer needle sticks. At first it only happened occasionally. A month later it is sticking at 0 miles per hour most of the time. Many complaints to gm. They finally issued special policy but will not fix my vehicle because the odometer reads 79,216. This is a known defect on many gm models year 2003-2004. The dealership will not even discuss the issue. This is safety issue that gm should take care no matter the mileage of the vehicle. This vehicle is only four years old. The repair will cost between $800 - $1000 or more.

In researching online I've noticed this on many different chevy 2004 models. The tachometer, fuel gage, and speedometer are what I noticed problems with and what others have seen problems with though the speedometer is the most prevalently noticed item. The gauge motors are not stepping back down when rpms, speed, or fuel levels drop thus leading drivers to respond in potentially dangerous ways. In my own case I almost caused a pile up when I thought I had lost my senses and applied my brakes a little harder than I should have, almost lost control of the vehicle, and certainly agitated the drivers behind me when they almost hit my vehicle. I don't typically get this problem as I typically drive less than 10 miles a day. When I do have to drive more than 60 miles I tend to have this problem. The problem has also been reported to be more prevalent in cold conditions which fits with the explanation I have had that it is the housing of the gear motors breaking down and jamming the gauge gears in the instrument panel. A problem with the plastic used in the housing of the gear magnets; "the problem lies with the plastic material that holds the permanent magnet for the rotor of the stepper motor. " now that I am aware of the problem and have asked around about fixes I have to stop the vehicle completely and turn it off. From there I have to turn the key enough to bring the instrument panel momentarily on and then back off. It steps the tachometer, speedometer, and fuel gauge back down, (bit by bit with each turn of the key) whichever is having the problem. This solution has been reported to stop working as the problem persists. The instrument panel needs to be replaced at a cost estimate of over $450 from a private shop and at over $800 from the chevy dealership. A gps for speed and a log book w/ calculator can get two of the three solved for me at a price of less than $200; it's just not safe to be writing log book entries while I'm driving.

My speedometer stopped working no warning while on highway went from 70 mph to 120 mph.

Speedometer failure leading to hazardous operating conditions. In reviewing the internet, speedometer failures are problematic for Chevrolet Suburbans and the manufacturer refuses to acknowledge or repair the defect.

Bought my 2004 chevy Suburban in Feb. 2008. It had 75,000 miles on it. Drove it for a month and the speedometer would fluctuate 3-4 mph at highway speeds and the work fine for a week or so before acting up. At 92,000 miles speedometer went totally out, reading 0 one minute and bouncing to 120 the next. Now it just sits on zero for most of the time. Would not know if it ever read the correct mph if it wasn't for the gps. Have not replaced anything yet. But will have to shortly because the texas safety inspection is due in November. I think this is why the previous owner traded it in and didn't tell any one.

Started suddenly. . Speedometer registering much greater speed(s) than actual speed. Even off/parked registering in excess of 80 mph. Rpm gauge was sticking on & off but all other gauges as of now seem to be functioning properly.

Speedometer has not worked for over a year. The needle is always pinned. Once in a while it will start at approximatelly 30mph at idle. Local dealer advised approx. 500. 00 to fix.

My 2004 chevy Suburban speedometer is malfunctioning, sometimes it works other times it does not move or is indicating the incorrect speed.

Another 2004 Chevrolet Suburban speedometer failure. It went to 60mph when I was stopped, then past 120mph and stuck there. Now is completely inoperable stuck at 120mph.