NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints for the 2004 GMC Savana. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (4) and power train (2). The EPA rates it 12–15 mpg combined.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Savana model year we’ve synced.
Only one model year synced so far.
“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.”
“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.”
“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…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger) Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Savana 15/25 AWD Conversion (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,300 | 635 |
| Savana 1500 AWD (Passenger) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,300 | 635 |
| Savana 1500/2500 AWD (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,300 | 635 |
| Savana (cargo) (Bi-fuel) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | $5,000 | 741 |
| Savana Cargo (dedicated CNG) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | $3,900 | 586 |
| Savana Passenger (Bi-fuel) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | $5,000 | 741 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (4), power train (2), fuel system, gasoline (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 GMC Savana at 12–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).