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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

What owners actually said

212 reports
173,000 miles · Feb 10, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP FOR ATLEAST 20 MINUTES. ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, AND WHEN IT DOES START WORKING IT IS NEVER THE CORRECT READING. IT WILL STICK AS HIGH AS 70 MPH, AND TO BRING IT DOWN I HAVE TO KEEP RESTARTING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. …

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WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP FOR ATLEAST 20 MINUTES. ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, AND WHEN IT DOES START WORKING IT IS NEVER THE CORRECT READING. IT WILL STICK AS HIGH AS 70 MPH, AND TO BRING IT DOWN I HAVE TO KEEP RESTARTING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447350

67,410 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2004 GMC K1500 WITH ABOUT 70000 MILES ON IT NOW. ON 10/17/11 AT 67410 MILES I WAS DOING A NORMAL OIL CHANGE WITH THE VEHICLE ELEVATED ON A RACK. I NOTICED FLUID DRIPPING ON ME FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR AREA. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND ALMOST ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES LEADING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK TO THE ABS U…

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I OWN A 2004 GMC K1500 WITH ABOUT 70000 MILES ON IT NOW. ON 10/17/11 AT 67410 MILES I WAS DOING A NORMAL OIL CHANGE WITH THE VEHICLE ELEVATED ON A RACK. I NOTICED FLUID DRIPPING ON ME FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR AREA. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND ALMOST ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES LEADING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK TO THE ABS UNIT RUSTED BADLY AND LEAKING. AS I WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE RACK THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WITH VERY CAREFUL OPERATION AND USING THE PARKING BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK BACK ON LEVEL GROUND. I REPLACED ALL THE LINES LEADING FROM THE ABS UNIT TO THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK REROUTING THEM ALONG THE FRAME. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE PULLING MY TRAILER A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MAY HAVE RESULTED. THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DEFECT IN MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. YOU SHOULD NOT LOSE ALL OF YOUR BRAKES WHEN A LINE RUPTURES. THE DUAL MASTER CYLINDER SHOULD ALLOW YOU TO HAVE BRAKES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE, GM SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES WITH STAINLESS OR ANOTHER ENGINEERING FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443395

92,405 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED STEEL SUPPORT STRAPS; REAR STRAP BROKE AND TANK DROPPED A FEW INCHES PLACING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON RUSTED FRONT SUPPORT STRAP. TANK WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN DUE TO BUMPS IN ROAD. FORTUNATELY MY FRIEND, FOLLOWING MY TRUCK, ALERTED ME AND WE SECURED TANK WITH A LENGTH OF ROPE. HAD HE NOT ALERTED ME IT IS LIKE…

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FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED STEEL SUPPORT STRAPS; REAR STRAP BROKE AND TANK DROPPED A FEW INCHES PLACING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON RUSTED FRONT SUPPORT STRAP. TANK WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN DUE TO BUMPS IN ROAD. FORTUNATELY MY FRIEND, FOLLOWING MY TRUCK, ALERTED ME AND WE SECURED TANK WITH A LENGTH OF ROPE. HAD HE NOT ALERTED ME IT IS LIKELY FRONT STRAP WOULD HAVE FAILED, DROPPING TANK ONTO PAVEMENT. THE DEFECT WAS NOTED JUST BEFORE I WAS ABOUT TO PROCEED ONTO INTERSTATE 93. HAD THE FRONT STRAP FAILED, THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE DRAGGED FOR A DISTANCE AT HIGH SPEED, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN EXPLOSION/FIRE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD A FUEL TANK DISLODGE AND I NORMALLY KEEP VEHICLE FOR 150,000 MILES AND 10 YEARS. HIGHLY RECOMMEND VEHICLES WITH STEEL FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS BE RECALLED FOR INSPECTION; IN NORTHEAST WHERE SALT IS USED ON HIGHWAYS, STEEL ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF A VEHICLE WILL RUST. FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS SHOULD BE MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL OR ANOTHER MATERIAL THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO DEGRADATION/CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT. OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLES, FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHERS ARE AT RISK DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427199

97,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER FLUTTERS AND NOW GIVES ERRONEOUS READING, GAS GAUGE GIVES FALSE READINGS. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER AND A LETTER WAS SENT BY GMC. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER AND NOW MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS FAILING. AND NOW AM PAST MILEA…

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SPEEDOMETER FLUTTERS AND NOW GIVES ERRONEOUS READING, GAS GAUGE GIVES FALSE READINGS. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER AND A LETTER WAS SENT BY GMC. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER AND NOW MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS FAILING. AND NOW AM PAST MILEAGE/YEARS TO FIX, BECAUSE I NEVER GOT THE ORIGINAL LETTER AND NEVER NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10416306

28,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR DID NOT HAVE A PEACOCK TO DRAIN ITS COOLANT FROM. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER STOPPED USING PEACOCKS TO SAVE MONEY. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE SITUATION BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR DID NOT HAVE A PEACOCK TO DRAIN ITS COOLANT FROM. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER STOPPED USING PEACOCKS TO SAVE MONEY. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE SITUATION BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER RADIATOR HOSE MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE COOLANT. IN DOING SO THE HOSE CAN BE DESTROYED AND COOLANT COULD BE SPILT ON THE GROUND. UPDATED 10/11/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415225

79,520 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CYLINDER HEADS BEING CRACKED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE OIL AND COOLANT. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE CYLI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CYLINDER HEADS BEING CRACKED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE OIL AND COOLANT. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE CYLINDER HEADS, THE GASKET KIT, BOLTS AND NUTS. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,520.

NHTSA ODI #10413390

95,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I GOT INTO MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICKUP TRUCK AND WENT TO STOP. THE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND CREATED A LEAK CAUSING LOSS OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST IN ANY OTHER AREAS. IT IS OBVIOUS THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED WELL BEFORE THE NORMAL LIFE OF VEHICLE BRAKES. I WAS A…

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I GOT INTO MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICKUP TRUCK AND WENT TO STOP. THE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND CREATED A LEAK CAUSING LOSS OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST IN ANY OTHER AREAS. IT IS OBVIOUS THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED WELL BEFORE THE NORMAL LIFE OF VEHICLE BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED DUE PRIMARILY TO MY EXPERIENCE AS A LONG TIME POLICE OFFICER. THIS TYPE OF BRAKE FAILURE COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10410613

60,000 miles · Apr 18, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I HEAR A TAPPING OF THE VALVES WHEN THE CAR IS ON. ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP REGISTERING HOW FAST I AM GOING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396616

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2011
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, SPEEDOMETER NOT READING PROPERLY, TEMP GAUGE WRONG READINGS. THE DEALERS WANT $750.00 TO REPAIR IF THE VEHICLE IS OVER 75,000 MILES. THEY HAVE SAID THEY SENT RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING OF THE SORT. FOR …

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I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, SPEEDOMETER NOT READING PROPERLY, TEMP GAUGE WRONG READINGS. THE DEALERS WANT $750.00 TO REPAIR IF THE VEHICLE IS OVER 75,000 MILES. THEY HAVE SAID THEY SENT RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING OF THE SORT. FOR A VEHICLE I PAID 32, 000 FOR I FIND THIS TO BE UNSAT. GMC NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE FOR THERE CUSTOMERS, I WOULD EXPECT THIS TREATMENT FROM A FORD DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392195

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

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.