Research

2004 GMC Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2004 GMC Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (2) and power train (2).

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
12
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 GMC Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2004 – Nov 2022
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  2. Power train2
  3. Fuel system, gasoline2
  4. Wheels1
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Seats1
  8. Air bags1
  9. Suspension1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500 model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

2 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2022Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11491736

Power train

2 reports1 fire
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2013Power trainODI 10538171

Fuel system, gasoline

2 reports
“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. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP RECALL NUMBER: 12V388000 RECALL DATE: 08/08/2012 PROBLEM SUMMARY: 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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2013Fuel system, gasoline, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10497641
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 GMC Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1983
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2004 Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500 questions

How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2004 GMC Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) 3500 problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (2), power train (2), fuel system, gasoline (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026