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2004 GMC Topkick

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Steering complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2006
Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE'S DRAG LINKS WERE WORN OUT TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT STEERING WOULD BE COMPLETELY LOST IF THE DRAG LINKS FELL OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTA…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE'S DRAG LINKS WERE WORN OUT TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT STEERING WOULD BE COMPLETELY LOST IF THE DRAG LINKS FELL OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #10166857

31,000 miles · Aug 29, 2006
Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE'S DRAG LINKS WERE WORN OUT TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT STEERING WOULD BE COMPLETELY LOST IF THE DRAG LINKS FELL OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTA…

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE'S DRAG LINKS WERE WORN OUT TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT STEERING WOULD BE COMPLETELY LOST IF THE DRAG LINKS FELL OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #10166854

31,000 miles · Aug 28, 2006
Steering

DRAGS LINKS FAILING PREMATURELY ON GMC TOPKICKS. FIRST FOUND AT 31,000 MILES. CHECKED THE REST OF THE FLEET AND FOUND 3 OTHERS FAILED. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD FAILURES IN AS LITTLE AS 6300 MILES. BRAND NEW JUST PUT IN SERVICE. THESE ARE 2004/2005 AND 2006 GMC. PARTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WARRANTY REFUSED ON THE SECOND G…

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DRAGS LINKS FAILING PREMATURELY ON GMC TOPKICKS. FIRST FOUND AT 31,000 MILES. CHECKED THE REST OF THE FLEET AND FOUND 3 OTHERS FAILED. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD FAILURES IN AS LITTLE AS 6300 MILES. BRAND NEW JUST PUT IN SERVICE. THESE ARE 2004/2005 AND 2006 GMC. PARTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WARRANTY REFUSED ON THE SECOND GO AROUND. (SO FAR) DEALER IS INVESTIGATING. FAILURE WOULD MEAN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEATH AND INJURIES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10166804

Official recalls

5

07V469000 · Steering

Oct 4, 2007

ON CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS, THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED INCORRECTLY. A STEERING GEAR WITH THIS CONDITION MAY PRODUCE THE FEELING OF HITTING A CURB AND A CRACKING OR PINGING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY BE OFF-CENTER AND INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED WHEN TURNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CERTAIN DATE CODES AND VERIFY THE MILEAGE ON STEERING GEARS AND REPLACE GEARS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

05V288000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Jun 16, 2005

CERTAIN 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR 4500/5500 SERIES CHEVROLET KODIAK, SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, AND GMC TOPKICK VEHICLES; AND 2003-2004 MODEL YEAR GMC SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L ENGINE AND HYDROMAX BRAKE SYSTEM. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. A HOLE COULD BE WORN IN THE HOSE AND A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID WOULD OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FLUID LOSS, THE DRIVER WILL HEAR A NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND WARNING TONE WILL ACTIVATE. INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR STEERING AND BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE POWER STEERING HOSE. IF THE STEEL BRAIDING OF THE HOSE IS EXPOSED, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 866-996-9463.

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.

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.

04V123000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Mar 10, 2004

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE SWITCH RETAINER HOLDING THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSH ROD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TOGETHER COULD BE MISSING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PUSH ROD AND PEDAL TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF FOUNDATION BRAKES AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A NEW RETAINER IF MISSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GMCICT AT 1-800-862-4389.

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.