IllustrationINSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILURES. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
420–25K
3425–50K
1850–75K
3375–100K
18100–150K
6150K+
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED VERY EASILY WHEN THE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SO HE REPLACE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED VERY EASILY WHEN THE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SO HE REPLACED THE BRAKES HIMSELF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED SO HE NOTIFIED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 05V043000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC OR 04V045000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. HE ALSO STATED THAT HIS SPEEDOMETER AND OIL GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED INCORRECT IMPROPER READINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
2004 GMC SIERRA 2500HD, INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED SHOWING THE RPM'S TO BE IN THE RED ZONE, THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD QUITE WORKING, THEN THE GAS GAGE WOULD QUITE WORKING, THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES QUITE WORKING, TO BEGIN WITH IT WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY TILL IT QUITE WORKING COMPLETELY. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND HAD FIXED.…
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2004 GMC SIERRA 2500HD, INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED SHOWING THE RPM'S TO BE IN THE RED ZONE, THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD QUITE WORKING, THEN THE GAS GAGE WOULD QUITE WORKING, THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES QUITE WORKING, TO BEGIN WITH IT WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY TILL IT QUITE WORKING COMPLETELY. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND HAD FIXED. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALSO WITH THE SAME VEHICLES ONLY A YEAR OR TWO APART. ALL OF WHICH HAPPENED BETWEEN 80,000 AND 110,000 MILES. FEEL IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, WHEN I WAS DOING 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND SAW MY RPM'S PEGGED IN THE RED AND WAS IN A HURRY TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO PREVENT MY ENGINE FROM BLOWING UP. SAME WITH THE TEMP GAUGES. *TR
GM MAILED A NOTICE THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN 2004 SIEERA TRUCKS IS SUBJECT TO FAILURE INCLUDING FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. THESE CAN BE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS. GM HAS OFFER TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 70,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS. THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 04 GMC SIERRA STICKS. SOMETIMES IT READS 120 SITTING STILL AND MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY THE WRONG SPEED. (I.E. SOMETIMES 30MPH AT 50 OR 60 OR 120 AT 45. THE SPEEDOMETER THEN STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS ALL OCCURRED OVER THE PERIOD OF 2 OR 3 MONTHS. *TR
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY DASH CLUSTER IN MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 HAS GONE OUT. THE 1ST TIME WAS ONLY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT THE SECOND TIME, IT WAS OUT FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, I CONTACTED A DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME TO CHECK THE FUSES, WHICH I DID, BUT THEY WERE FINE, AFTER IT CAME BACK ON, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM STATING TH…
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ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY DASH CLUSTER IN MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 HAS GONE OUT. THE 1ST TIME WAS ONLY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT THE SECOND TIME, IT WAS OUT FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, I CONTACTED A DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME TO CHECK THE FUSES, WHICH I DID, BUT THEY WERE FINE, AFTER IT CAME BACK ON, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM STATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUSTERS, BUT THEY WERE ONLY COVERING THEM IF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN WARRANTY, WELL BY THIS TIME, MY VEHICLE WAS 800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY(BUT IF I HAD KNOWN WHEN IT WAS OUT, I WAS STILL IN WARRANTY AT THAT TIME), ANYWAY, NOW THE CLUSTER IS OUT FOR THE THIRD TIME, AND GM REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKE TO THEM SEVERAL TIMES, AND SINCE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING, EVEN AFTER MAKING ME TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, WHEN THEY KNEW IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY OWNER'S MANUAL EVEN STATES IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO RUN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A WORKING CLUSTER, AND I WOULD LIKE GM TO FIX SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW IS BAD, ON MULTIPLE YEAR VEHICLES. *TR
I HAD PURCHASED MY SIERRA 1500 FROM CHESROWN DEALERSHIP OF DELAWARE OHIO. I HAD THE TRUCK FOR LESS THAN 60 DAYS. I LOVED THE TRUCK VERY MUCH BUT WAS VERY UPSET WHEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN UNDER MY HOOD. THIS HAPPENED THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND SINCE I HAD THE FACTORY STEREO SYSTEM I HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE START…
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I HAD PURCHASED MY SIERRA 1500 FROM CHESROWN DEALERSHIP OF DELAWARE OHIO. I HAD THE TRUCK FOR LESS THAN 60 DAYS. I LOVED THE TRUCK VERY MUCH BUT WAS VERY UPSET WHEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN UNDER MY HOOD. THIS HAPPENED THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND SINCE I HAD THE FACTORY STEREO SYSTEM I HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE START OF THE FIRE. IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO GET THERE AND BY THAT TIME THE FIRE HAD SPREAD FROM THE ENGINE THROUGHOUT THE WIRES DOWN THE FIREWALL AND INTO MY TRUCKS ENTIRER. ALL THAT I COULD DO WAS WATCH IN HORROR AS MY TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES FROM A FAR. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE FIRE FROM SPREADING INSIDE AND MY HAND WAS BURNT. WHEN THE POLICE USED THE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THEIR CRUISER IT SEEMED TO GIVE IT OXYGEN AND SPREAD IT FASTER. I WAS DEVASTATED. *TR
GAUGES WENT OUT, SHOULD BE A REPLACE RECALL. *TR
WARRANTY EXTENSION ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON 2005 SIERRA 2500HD DOESN'T COVER EITHER TRUCK I OWN BECAUSE MILEAGE IS OVER THE 70K LIMIT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS BUT SERVICE EXTENSION IS NO HELP NOW. *TR
Official recalls
706V289000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.