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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

212 reports
110,000 miles · Feb 16, 2017
Power TrainService Brakes

POWER TRAIN PCM DEFECTIVE WITH TRANSFER CASE WITH BAD DESIGNING WITH SHOE PUMP, AND BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND LEAK. BRAKE SYSTEM WILL NOT PREVENT VEHICLE TO STOP WHEN BRAKE LINES ARE LEAK. FOR MY 2004 I WAS LUCKY DRIVING ON SLOW SPEED ON CITY ROAD, AND I WAS ABLE TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP MY TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10955150

142,550 miles · Jan 26, 2017
Service Brakes

ON JANUARY 24, 2017 TRAVELING ON PA TURNPIKE AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW WHEN APPROACHING SLOWER VEHICLES. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE ALMOST RAN INTO THE REAR OF SLOWER VEHICLES. METAL BRAKE LINE RUPTURED ABOVE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN INSPECTED, ALL BRAKE LINES EXHIBITED EXTREME RU…

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ON JANUARY 24, 2017 TRAVELING ON PA TURNPIKE AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW WHEN APPROACHING SLOWER VEHICLES. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE ALMOST RAN INTO THE REAR OF SLOWER VEHICLES. METAL BRAKE LINE RUPTURED ABOVE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN INSPECTED, ALL BRAKE LINES EXHIBITED EXTREME RUST/CORROSION TO THE POINT OF FLAKING AND THINNING. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR COLLISION AND WOULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED OCCUPANTS. THIS PROBLEM IS A MAJOR KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BY GM.

NHTSA ODI #10947876

13,000 miles · Dec 27, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD GASKET LEAKS RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD GASKET LEAKS RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10937654

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10928727

146,145 miles · Aug 25, 2016
Service Brakes

THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK FAILED DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. I PUSHED ON MY BRAKES WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY LOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND HAD MY BRAKE . LUCKILY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED.…

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THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK FAILED DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. I PUSHED ON MY BRAKES WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY LOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND HAD MY BRAKE . LUCKILY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED. UPON SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR HE SAID THAT THIS WAS COMMON AND THAT THE NEW BRAKE LINES WERE COATED AND WILL NOT RUST. NONE THE LESS THE REPAIR COST AND TOWING COST WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10898640

31,000 miles · Jan 26, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE OR DISPLAY A SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE OR DISPLAY A SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #10822336

89,900 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,900....UPDATED 02/04/16 *BF; 05/02/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10808140

230,000 miles · Nov 26, 2015
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO PRESSURE/FLUID LOSS

NHTSA ODI #10807093

74,000 miles · Oct 10, 2015
WheelsCrash

BOUGHT TRUCK 15 DAYS AGO. HAD A NAIL IN MY TIRE SO I PUT ON THE SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS RUSTY AND PROBABLY NEVER LOOKED AT FOR 11 YEARS BUT HAD TO PUT THIS ON TO AVOID BEING STRANDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST INSPECTED AND WAS WONDERING IF THE SPARE TIRE IS INCLUDED IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS. DUE TO RUSTY TIRE CONDITION THE LUGS LOOSE…

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BOUGHT TRUCK 15 DAYS AGO. HAD A NAIL IN MY TIRE SO I PUT ON THE SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS RUSTY AND PROBABLY NEVER LOOKED AT FOR 11 YEARS BUT HAD TO PUT THIS ON TO AVOID BEING STRANDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST INSPECTED AND WAS WONDERING IF THE SPARE TIRE IS INCLUDED IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS. DUE TO RUSTY TIRE CONDITION THE LUGS LOOSENED AND TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY AFTER I CHANGED IT. I WAS TOLD BYE THE MECHANICS THAT THE LUGS LOOSENED DUE TO A RUSTY FAULTY SPARE. DOES THIS FALL UNDER ANY LAWS DUE TO JUST PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AND IT GOING THROUGH THE DEALERS INSPECTION STICKER. THIS CUSSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND WANT TO KNOW IF THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE OR IF I AM LIABLE FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10781201

30,000 miles · Jul 17, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10734841

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.