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2004 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra years

Owner complaints for the 2004 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

151 reports with mileage · 37 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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

39 reports
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120,000 miles · Jan 7, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

RUSTED OUT/ CORRODED BRAKE LINES BURST WHILE STOPPING FOR A DEER RUNNING OUT ON THE ROAD. WAS WARNED OF THIS PROBLEM UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 2010 AND PERSONALLY COATED ALL BRAKE LINES B4 WINTER EVERY YEAR...NEVER SAW WORSE LINES! I OWN CLASSIC CARS THAT ARE TWICE AS OLD WITH SHINEY ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES. THE FUEL L…

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RUSTED OUT/ CORRODED BRAKE LINES BURST WHILE STOPPING FOR A DEER RUNNING OUT ON THE ROAD. WAS WARNED OF THIS PROBLEM UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 2010 AND PERSONALLY COATED ALL BRAKE LINES B4 WINTER EVERY YEAR...NEVER SAW WORSE LINES! I OWN CLASSIC CARS THAT ARE TWICE AS OLD WITH SHINEY ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES. THE FUEL LINES ALSO ROTTED OUT SPILLING FUEL OVER THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND ON THE GROUND WHILE FILLING UP. ALL FUEL LINES AND FUEL PUMP CONNECTIONS WERE SEVERELY ROTTED. WORST I HAVE SEEN. DASH CONSISTENTLY CHANGES LANGUAGES RENDERING ODOMETER NON FUNCTIONAL. SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE SOME TIMES NOT EVEN WORKING ESPECIALLY ON COLD DAYS. HMMMM ROTTED BRAKES+NO SPEEDOMETER+LEAKY FUEL LINES=CRASH,BANG BOOM!..AND I HAVE A CAR SEAT IN MY VEHICLE! LUCKLY I PERFORM PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND DRIVE SAFELY. STILL WONDER HOW THESE ISSUES GOT SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.

NHTSA ODI #10818811

25,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE HEATING AND AC CONTROLS WERE REPLACED 2 TIMES IN 2007.AND ARE STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY TODAY I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH THE AC ON BECAUSE IT'S 99 DEGREES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND LIKE IT HAS BEEN DOING FOR YEARS IT STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SEE OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. SO I BELIEVE GM IS RESP…

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THE HEATING AND AC CONTROLS WERE REPLACED 2 TIMES IN 2007.AND ARE STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY TODAY I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH THE AC ON BECAUSE IT'S 99 DEGREES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND LIKE IT HAS BEEN DOING FOR YEARS IT STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SEE OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. SO I BELIEVE GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633779

200,000 miles · Jul 6, 2014
Electrical System

IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OVER. BATTERY IS FINE, EVERYTHING WORKS EXCEPT TURNING OVER. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY NOTHING HAPPENS EVERYTHING GOES DEAD. I HAVE A VIDEO. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608390

111,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10584387

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2014
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER,OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, ALT METER, FUEL GAUGE HAVE ALL FAILED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. NONE OF THEM READ CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577749

83,000 miles · Feb 10, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD EITHER DISPLAY AN INACCURATE SPEED READING OR BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED TO REMEDY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD EITHER DISPLAY AN INACCURATE SPEED READING OR BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83000.

NHTSA ODI #10563744

132,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityService Brakes

I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA THAT HAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE ABS OR BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING BECAUSE THE A/C DRAWS POWER FROM THE BATTERY AND I CAN SEE THAT A CERTAIN LEVEL THE INDICATORS GO OFF. MOS…

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I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA THAT HAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE ABS OR BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING BECAUSE THE A/C DRAWS POWER FROM THE BATTERY AND I CAN SEE THAT A CERTAIN LEVEL THE INDICATORS GO OFF. MOST OF THE TIME THE LIGHTS CHIME AND BLINK WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE BUT IT ALSO HAS HAPPENED WHEN JUST TURNED THE TRUCK ON. I'VE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND PADS TO STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S A GROUND OR SENSOR THAT IS FAILING. I'VE FOUND TSB FOR REGROUNDING, FAILING SENSORS, OR ECBM. STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE CORRECT DIAGNOSIS. I JUST HOPE THE ABS FUNCTIONS WHEN I NEED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524157

60,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524115

83,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523712

82,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Electrical System

IN MOST 2002-2006 CHEVY AND GMC TRUCKS THE CLUSTER WILL START GOING OUT GM HAD A RECALL ON THE CLUSTER BUT NEVER SENT OUT A REPORT ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408566

Official recalls

7

06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 3, 2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V161000 · Parking Brake

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 8, 2005

CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

04V225000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

May 11, 2004

CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE STANDARD REQUIRES PASSENGER SEAT CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN VEHICLES WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE STANDARD DOES NOT REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH ONLY FRONT SEATING POSITIONS TO HAVE LOWER ANCHORAGE PROVISIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH.

Remedy: TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE RESULTING OPENING. THE SUN VISOR LABEL AND OWNER'S MANUAL WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. THE CORRECTION FOR THE EXTENDED CAB VEHICLE WILL CONSIST OF CHANGING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO A SEAT THAT HAS CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

04V129000 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments

Mar 17, 2004

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

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.