Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
5125–50K
5150–75K
3075–100K
25100–150K
9150K+
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
62,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH VARIOUS TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH VARIOUS TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA
NHTSA ODI #10577899
60,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Service Brakes
BRAKE FLUID LINE RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. LOST BRAKES WITH FAMILY IN TRUCK WHILE AT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND THREE (3) MILES FROM HOME. DROVE HOME ON SHOULDER OF ROAD WITH DRAG ON TRANSMISSION TO STOP. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS HAS NOT BE RECALLED SOONER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576465
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2014
Electrical System
THE GAUGES BEGAN TO SPIN AND NOT WORK PROPERLY OR NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE GAUGES AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH OR REMAIN ON. THE ABS LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT AND THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ALL COME ON. ALSO ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENS THE HEADLIGHTS DIM THE F…
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THE GAUGES BEGAN TO SPIN AND NOT WORK PROPERLY OR NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE GAUGES AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH OR REMAIN ON. THE ABS LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT AND THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ALL COME ON. ALSO ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENS THE HEADLIGHTS DIM THE FOURWHEEL DRIVE DOESN'T FUNCTION AND THE VOLUME LEVEL ON THE STEREO CHANGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565483
60,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Electrical System
ALL OF THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT GAUGES GO INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW. THERE HAS BEEN A GM ACTION OF SORT ON THIS, OF WHICH I AM NOT SURE. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND CURRENTLY AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE MAINTENANCE A…
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ALL OF THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT GAUGES GO INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW. THERE HAS BEEN A GM ACTION OF SORT ON THIS, OF WHICH I AM NOT SURE. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND CURRENTLY AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE MAINTENANCE ACTION(WHATEVER IT IS) EXPIRED IN 2011. SO THE REPAIR IS TOTALLY UPON US TO FIX, SOME $540. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562810
77,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10558774
112,000 miles · Jan 6, 2014
Engine
CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS, ALSO KNOWN AS CASTECH HEAD CASTING #706 THESE HEADS CRACK ON THE ENGINE CAUSE ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL AND DESTROY THE ENGINE, I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN LAWSUITS AND ITS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VORTEC 4.8 AND 5.3L GM ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558592
129,000 miles · Dec 25, 2013
Service Brakes
WHILE BACKING IN DRIVEWAY, BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR WITH NO PRESSURE. LOST ALL FLUID IN SYSTEM. 3 BRAKE LINE TO BREAK IN 4 YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557235
58,000 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Service Brakes
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE WHEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH DOWN ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE STRIKING MY OTHER TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED BEHIND ME. BEING SOMEWHAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED…
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I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE WHEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH DOWN ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE STRIKING MY OTHER TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED BEHIND ME. BEING SOMEWHAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED, I SAW A LINE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK EXTENDING BENEATH IT. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK, ALMOST DIRECTLY BELOW THE DRIVERS SEAT AND SAW A BUNDLE OF STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT WERE NOTHING BUT A SOLID MASS OF RUST AND DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID! THE RUSTING IS SO BAD THAT I CAN'T TELL WHETHER IT'S ONE OR ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH! SINCE I'M RETIRED (AND DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE IN BAD WEATHER) AND HAVE ANOTHER OLDER TRUCK I DRIVE MOST OF THE TIME, THE GMC HAS RARELY SEEN BAD WEATHER (I PURCHASED IT NEW) AND WHEN IT DID IT WAS ALWAYS PRESSURE WASHED (UNDERNEATH) AT THE CAR WASH IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SNOW OR ICE HAD ENDED! MY BROTHER WHO IS A MECHANIC RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE RUSTED BRAKES LINES ON A 2005 CHEVY TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549979
73,328 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Service Brakes
04 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXTENDED CAB FRONT STEEL BRAKE LINES CORROSION/RUSTED AND BURST CAUSED SUDDEN FLUID LEAKAGE AND FAILURE TO STOP PLACED ME IN A DANGEROUS/HAZARDOUS SITUATION. FINDING A RELIABLE SHOP, EXPENSIVE TOWING AND REPAIRS CAUSED TREMENDOUS BURDEN AND INCONVENIENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547359
37,000 miles · Sep 12, 2013
Service BrakesCrashInjury
BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY TO STOP VEHICLE ON A STEEP DOWNWARD HILL IN ORDER TO OPEN A GATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL OF MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER THE GATE WAS OPENED THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL COASTING AND THERE WAS A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. THE VEHICLE…
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BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY TO STOP VEHICLE ON A STEEP DOWNWARD HILL IN ORDER TO OPEN A GATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL OF MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER THE GATE WAS OPENED THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL COASTING AND THERE WAS A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE TO AVOID GOING OVER A CLIFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH NO WARNING OF BRAKE FAILURE. FRONT AND REAR BREAKS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. NO WARNING BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR ON DASH EVER WENT ON. THIS OCCURRED ON MY PROPERTY AND DRIVER AND A PASSENGER WERE BOTH INJURED. BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY IF THE FAILURE TOOK PLACE ON THE ROAD. *TR
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.
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.
2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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