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2004 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

186 reports with mileage · 26 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Steering complaints

21 reports
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36,000 miles · Aug 25, 2018
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

ME AND MY TWO BOYS WHERE HEADED HOME AND I WAS TAKING A CURVE AT 50MPH A WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO 45 WHEN I STARTED TO TAKE THE CURVE I HEARD SOME KIND OF METAL BONE BREAKING SOUND AND MY TRUCK JERKED TO THE ONCOMING LANE AND A JERKED IT BACK BUT AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WENT LOOSE AND ME AND MY BOYS WENT SIDEWAYS OF OF THE BANK OF THE…

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ME AND MY TWO BOYS WHERE HEADED HOME AND I WAS TAKING A CURVE AT 50MPH A WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO 45 WHEN I STARTED TO TAKE THE CURVE I HEARD SOME KIND OF METAL BONE BREAKING SOUND AND MY TRUCK JERKED TO THE ONCOMING LANE AND A JERKED IT BACK BUT AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WENT LOOSE AND ME AND MY BOYS WENT SIDEWAYS OF OF THE BANK OF THE CURVE AND WE ROLLED 3 TIMES BEFORE WE STOPPED TANK UP. MY AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF NEITHER THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. I HEARD A HISSING NOISE I GOT MY BOYS OUT AS FAST AS I COULD WITH SOME HELP OF BYSTANDERS BREAKING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SO WE COULD CRAWL OUT. THEY CARRIED MY BOYS AND HELPED ME HOP TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. ME AND MY BOYS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY WERE ALRIGHT THANK GOD I RECEIVED SOME INJURIES TO MY BACK, NECK, STOMACH AND HEAD. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND IVY HALL TOWING IN JACKSONVILLE, AR KEEP MY TRUCK AND PUT A LIEN ON IT. HOW THEY EXCEPT SOMEONE TO PAY AFTER THEY WERE IN A WRECK AND LOST THEIR JOB BECAUSE NO RIDE TO GET BACK AND FORTH. MY ROLLOVER WRECK HAPPENED ON HWY 107 AND CLEVELAND IN ARKANSAS ON MARCH 21ST 2018

NHTSA ODI #11122262

231,000 miles · Jul 5, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE STARTING MY 2004 GMC, SOMETIME WHEN I TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD DO NOTHING, I HAD IT TOWED IN AND SPENT OVER $500 TO REPAIR IT, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY ETC, AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT IT BACK, AND IT DID IT AGAIN, I FOUND THAT IF I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN WITH THE LEVER, IT WOULD…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE STARTING MY 2004 GMC, SOMETIME WHEN I TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD DO NOTHING, I HAD IT TOWED IN AND SPENT OVER $500 TO REPAIR IT, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY ETC, AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT IT BACK, AND IT DID IT AGAIN, I FOUND THAT IF I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN WITH THE LEVER, IT WOULD THEN START. YESTERDAY I WENT OUT TO START MY TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT FEELS LIKE THE IGNITION CAME APART OR SOMETHING INSIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE TOWED IN AGAIN AND PAY TO REPAIR THE IGNITION, WHEN GM HAS BEEN HAVING HUGE PROBLEMS WITH IGNITIONS! I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE TO INCLUDE A FIRE UNDER THE DASH. MY INSURANCE COVERED IT BECAUSE A FUSE MELTED AND DID NOT DO IT'S JOB, HOWEVER NOW MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS WHICH I WILL NOT DO. I USE MY GPS TO TRACK MY SPEED! THE REAR TRANSFER CASE WENT ON IT, AND I SPENT $1,800 TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SMALL THINGS, BUT THOSE ARE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS. I AM LIKE EVERY OTHER AVERAGE PERSON. I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO GET GM TO FIX THEM, SO I JUST PAID MYSELF! WHEN I WAS RESEARCHING HOW TO REPLACE THE IGNITION, I CAME ACROSS YOUR SITE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS OR HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. I NEED MY TRUCK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO I WILL PROBABLY GET STUCK PAYING AGAIN! THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608276

26,000 miles · Mar 18, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL RATTLING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER LUBRICAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL RATTLING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED AND THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10390597

65,000 miles · Oct 20, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

KNOCKING IN THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY BEGAN AT 20,000 MILES. STEERING SHAFT HAS TO BE GREASED BY SERVICE CENTER EVERY 10K MILES TO PREVENT KNOCKING. SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. SPEEDOMETER USED TO REGISTER MAX MPH WHEN DOING 70MPH THEN STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361348

78,000 miles · Jul 12, 2010
SteeringCrash

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP ON HIGHWAY 101 IN THE CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH A BOLT FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LEAVING HIM WITH ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING. HE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS AROUND LIKE A ROULETTE WHEEL AND CLEARLY I…

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MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP ON HIGHWAY 101 IN THE CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH A BOLT FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LEAVING HIM WITH ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING. HE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS AROUND LIKE A ROULETTE WHEEL AND CLEARLY IS NOT ATTACHED TO ANY PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE RESPONDING TOW TRUCK DRIVER CLAIMED HE HAS NEVER SEEN A STEERING WHEEL LIKE THIS - NOT EVEN ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN WRECKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342741

13,620 miles · Jun 22, 2010
SteeringSuspension

7-11-2005 REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AT 13620 MILES, 9-26-2007 52271 REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, 59639 REPLACED RIGHT INNER TIE ROD AND RACK-RACK GEAR LEAKING, 59993 REPLACED LOWER BEARING STEERING COLUMN, 71159 REPLACED RACK-RACK SEAL RUPTURE, 82910 REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT-STEERING SHAFT-AND LOWER BEARING COLUMN. THERE'S …

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7-11-2005 REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AT 13620 MILES, 9-26-2007 52271 REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, 59639 REPLACED RIGHT INNER TIE ROD AND RACK-RACK GEAR LEAKING, 59993 REPLACED LOWER BEARING STEERING COLUMN, 71159 REPLACED RACK-RACK SEAL RUPTURE, 82910 REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT-STEERING SHAFT-AND LOWER BEARING COLUMN. THERE'S EITHER SOMETHING WRONG WITH THERE PARTS OR THEY WAY THEY BUILD THERE VEHICLES. I'VE OWNED SEVERAL GM VEHICLES AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10339529

40,000 miles · Dec 3, 2009
Steering

MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 MAKES A LOAD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, I HAD THIS VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT KEPT RETURNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294446

63 miles · Sep 7, 2009
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING, SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING .EVERYTHING STARTED GOING WRONG ABOUT. 63,000 K . I HAVE 116,000 KNOW. 2004 Z71 CREWCAB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283050

67,500 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Steering

I OWN A 2004 GMC SIERRA SLE EXTENDED CAB SHORTBOX Z-71 PICKUP WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN JUNE, 2004. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A "RATTLE" IN THE STEERING IN THE LAST YEAR WHICH KEPT GETTING WORSE. MASTER AUTO IN GRAND FORKS REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT A COST TO ME OF $166.11. SINCE THIS STEERING SHAFT COULD BIND/F…

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I OWN A 2004 GMC SIERRA SLE EXTENDED CAB SHORTBOX Z-71 PICKUP WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN JUNE, 2004. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A "RATTLE" IN THE STEERING IN THE LAST YEAR WHICH KEPT GETTING WORSE. MASTER AUTO IN GRAND FORKS REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT A COST TO ME OF $166.11. SINCE THIS STEERING SHAFT COULD BIND/FREEZE UP, I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN "RECALLED" BY GM AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE AS A FACTORY DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262824

45,233 miles · Oct 31, 2008
Steering

NOTICED I STARTED TO GET A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED AN TBS LUBE KIT IN THE STEERING SHAFT. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE VIBRATION IS BACK AND WORSE THAN BEFORE, CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME 300.00 PLUS LABOR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN YEAR GM TRUCKS, AN…

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NOTICED I STARTED TO GET A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED AN TBS LUBE KIT IN THE STEERING SHAFT. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE VIBRATION IS BACK AND WORSE THAN BEFORE, CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME 300.00 PLUS LABOR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN YEAR GM TRUCKS, AND EVERY DAY IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE. I FEEL MY SAFETY MIGHT BE COMPROMISED, IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247339

Official recalls

2

04V562000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Nov 26, 2004

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

04V240000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

May 17, 2004

THE SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY THAT WAS PROVIDED ON CERTAIN CONVERSION VEHICLES WILL NOT FIT ON THE FRONT WHEEL HUB DUE TO OFFSET OF THE WHEEL. HOWEVER, IT WILL FIT ON THE REAR WHEELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF SOMEONE HAS A FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT WHEEL, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INSTALL THE PROVIDED SPARE TIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPARE WHEEL WITH THE CORRECT OFFSET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT REGENCY AT 1-800-989-4727.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.