2004 GMC Savana recalls and problems

7 recalls and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Savana.

7
recalls
12
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2004 GMC Savana recalls

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 23V247000 · reported April 6, 2023 · General Motors, LLC · 150,830 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and cap

NHTSA campaign 12V388000 · reported August 8, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC · 9,389 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
The fix
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.

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 05V558000 · reported December 19, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 425,593 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.
The risk
In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix
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.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 05V043000 · reported February 8, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 77,411 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
The fix
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.

Power train: automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shift

NHTSA campaign 04V320000 · reported July 6, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,792 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If this were to occur, the vehicle could move in a direction not anticipated by the driver, which could result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
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.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 04V189000 · reported April 19, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 331 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.
The fix
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.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 04V045000 · reported February 4, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 68,875 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 1, 2022 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 92,000 miles

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…

Dec 17, 2019 · Wheels

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…

Aug 20, 2014 · Unknown or other · crash reported

SUBMISSION FROM EXPLORER VAN CO., RE RECEIPT OF YOUR CORRESPONDENCE DATED JULY 10, 2014 REGARDING THE EARLY WARNING REPORTING OF DEATHS AND INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING A 2004 GMC SAVANA, WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS AND PERMANENT INJURIES.

Aug 30, 2013 · Power train · 63,000 miles

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…

Feb 10, 2013 · Fuel system, gasoline · 96,000 miles

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…

Savana model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 01901
2002 01210
2003 112221
2004 71221
2005 51310
2006 7700
2007 3620

Across all years, the 2000 Savana has the most complaints (49). All GMC Savana years →

Questions

Does the 2004 GMC Savana have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2004 GMC Savana, the most recent reported on April 6, 2023 (Electrical system: wiring). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC Savana?
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, gasoline (2 complaints), followed by power train (2).
How many 2004 GMC Savana complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 12 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 1, 2022.