GMC SIERRA 1500 · model year

2004 GMC SIERRA 1500

253 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004GMCSIERRA 1500 carries 253 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 SIERRA 1500 is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 47 filings, followed by service brakes (43) and electrical system (32). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2004 SIERRA 1500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

253
Complaints
12
Crashes
2
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

253 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL47
SERVICE BRAKES43
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
STEERING17
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
AIR BAGS6
TIRES6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
ENGINE5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
POWER TRAIN4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STEERING:COLUMN3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3

Recalls (5)

04V56200026/11/2004

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

06E04300019/05/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

04V24000017/05/2004

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

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.

06E05000006/06/2006

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE B

Recent Complaints

20250505UNKNOWN OR OTHER

the person i bought the vehicle from switched out the gauge cluster and lied about the vechiles mileage

20230503AIR BAGS

The contact’s father owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after she inserted the key in the ignition and started the vehicle, the front driver’s side air bag exploded, without warning. The contact sustained an injury to her left arm, hand, neck, and head that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20211009AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

When to start truck and air bag in steering wheel exploded.

20210921AIR BAGS

Went to start truck and the air bag in the steering wheel exploded.

20200626VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITION THE LEFT SIDE BLOW OUT HOT HEAT. *TR

20200626ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITION THE LEFT SIDE BLOW OUT HOT HEAT. *TR

20200526SERVICE BRAKES

CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. I WAS DRIVING DOWN RURAL ROAD GETTING READY TO TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY WITHOUT KILLING SOMEONE. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND ONE HAD BURST. I HAD PART OF THE LINE FIXED WITH COPPER TUBING. I HAVE SINCE HAD 2 MORE LINES BURST. AS WELL AS A FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS HAS BECOME FRUSTRATING.*DT*JB

20200526FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. I WAS DRIVING DOWN RURAL ROAD GETTING READY TO TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY WITHOUT KILLING SOMEONE. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND ONE HAD BURST. I HAD PART OF THE LINE FIXED WITH COPPER TUBING. I HAVE SINCE HAD 2 MORE LINES BURST. AS WELL AS A FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS HAS BECOME FRUSTRATING.*DT*JB

20190815ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE BLOWER FAN RESISTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COTTERS GMC (435 HALL AVE, ST MARY'S, PA 15857, 814-834-2063) AND THEY PROVIDE A VERBAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE BLOWER RESISTER FAN AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

20190815VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE BLOWER FAN RESISTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COTTERS GMC (435 HALL AVE, ST MARY'S, PA 15857, 814-834-2063) AND THEY PROVIDE A VERBAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE BLOWER RESISTER FAN AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

20190719AIR BAGS

DASHBOARD SAYS 'SERVICE AIRBAGS'

20190103AIR BAGS

I HAVE GMC SIERRA 1500 4WD THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON , IF ANY RECALL PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 225,000

20181219ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE HEAD WAS CRACKED AND THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS DEPLETED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

Mileage: 131,000

20180911ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES FLASHED OFF AND ON AND, AT TIMES, COMPLETELY STOPPED OPERATING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Mileage: 97,000

20180825CrashAIR BAGS

ME AND MY TWO BOYS WHERE HEADED HOME AND I WAS TAKING A CURVE AT 50MPH A WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO 45 WHEN I STARTED TO TAKE THE CURVE I HEARD SOME KIND OF METAL BONE BREAKING SOUND AND MY TRUCK JERKED TO THE ONCOMING LANE AND A JERKED IT BACK BUT AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WENT LOOSE AND ME AND MY BOYS WENT SIDEWAYS OF OF THE BANK OF THE CURVE AND WE ROLLED 3 TIMES BEFORE WE STOPPED TANK UP. MY AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF NEITHER THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. I HEARD A HISSING NOISE I GOT MY BOYS OUT AS FAST AS I COULD WITH SOME HELP OF BYSTANDERS BREAKING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SO WE COULD CRAWL OUT. THEY CARRIED MY BOYS AND HELPED ME HOP TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. ME AND MY BOYS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY WERE ALRIGHT THANK GOD I RECEIVED SOME INJURIES TO MY BACK, NECK, STOMACH AND HEAD. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND IVY HALL TOWING IN JACKSONVILLE, AR KEEP MY TRUCK AND PUT A LIEN ON IT. HOW THEY EXCEPT SOMEONE TO PAY AFTER THEY WERE IN A WRECK AND LOST THEIR JOB BECAUSE NO RIDE TO GET BACK AND FORTH.

Mileage: 36,000

20180825CrashSTEERING

ME AND MY TWO BOYS WHERE HEADED HOME AND I WAS TAKING A CURVE AT 50MPH A WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO 45 WHEN I STARTED TO TAKE THE CURVE I HEARD SOME KIND OF METAL BONE BREAKING SOUND AND MY TRUCK JERKED TO THE ONCOMING LANE AND A JERKED IT BACK BUT AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WENT LOOSE AND ME AND MY BOYS WENT SIDEWAYS OF OF THE BANK OF THE CURVE AND WE ROLLED 3 TIMES BEFORE WE STOPPED TANK UP. MY AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF NEITHER THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. I HEARD A HISSING NOISE I GOT MY BOYS OUT AS FAST AS I COULD WITH SOME HELP OF BYSTANDERS BREAKING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SO WE COULD CRAWL OUT. THEY CARRIED MY BOYS AND HELPED ME HOP TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. ME AND MY BOYS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY WERE ALRIGHT THANK GOD I RECEIVED SOME INJURIES TO MY BACK, NECK, STOMACH AND HEAD. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND IVY HALL TOWING IN JACKSONVILLE, AR KEEP MY TRUCK AND PUT A LIEN ON IT. HOW THEY EXCEPT SOMEONE TO PAY AFTER THEY WERE IN A WRECK AND LOST THEIR JOB BECAUSE NO RIDE TO GET BACK AND FORTH.

Mileage: 36,000

20180825CrashSUSPENSION

ME AND MY TWO BOYS WHERE HEADED HOME AND I WAS TAKING A CURVE AT 50MPH A WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO 45 WHEN I STARTED TO TAKE THE CURVE I HEARD SOME KIND OF METAL BONE BREAKING SOUND AND MY TRUCK JERKED TO THE ONCOMING LANE AND A JERKED IT BACK BUT AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WENT LOOSE AND ME AND MY BOYS WENT SIDEWAYS OF OF THE BANK OF THE CURVE AND WE ROLLED 3 TIMES BEFORE WE STOPPED TANK UP. MY AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF NEITHER THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. I HEARD A HISSING NOISE I GOT MY BOYS OUT AS FAST AS I COULD WITH SOME HELP OF BYSTANDERS BREAKING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SO WE COULD CRAWL OUT. THEY CARRIED MY BOYS AND HELPED ME HOP TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. ME AND MY BOYS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY WERE ALRIGHT THANK GOD I RECEIVED SOME INJURIES TO MY BACK, NECK, STOMACH AND HEAD. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND IVY HALL TOWING IN JACKSONVILLE, AR KEEP MY TRUCK AND PUT A LIEN ON IT. HOW THEY EXCEPT SOMEONE TO PAY AFTER THEY WERE IN A WRECK AND LOST THEIR JOB BECAUSE NO RIDE TO GET BACK AND FORTH.

Mileage: 36,000

20180713ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY TRUCK IS MY BACK-UP VEHICLE THAT SITS IN THE SIDE DRIVEWAY MOST OF THE TIME BUT I DRIVE WHEN I'M TRANSPORTING LARGE ITEMS OR MOVING TO A NEW HOME. I RECENTLY DROVE IT AND NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING AND WENT SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT RELATED ISSUES ON THE INTERNET WHEN I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE POSTED ON GMC'S WEBSITE BUT THEY ARE SAYING IT'S PAST THE "TIME" ALLOWED TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR A TIME FRAME TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE I DON'T DRIVE THIS TRUCK MUCH. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEALERSHIP'S INSPECTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT IT'S INDEED BROKE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE RECALL. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT I'M HOPPING MAD BECAUSE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OTHER GMC OWNERS PROBABLY HAD REPAIRED BUT BECAUSE THIS WAS MY BACK-UP VEHICLE, I'M PENALIZED FOR NOT HAVING THE PROBLEM SURFACE EARLIER BEFORE THE "TIME" FRAME EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP I CURRENTLY HAVE MY TRUCK AT IS

Mileage: 52,608

20180629FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL; HOWEVER, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (GARCIA BUICK GMC, 2721 CERRILLOS RD, SANTA FE, NM 87507) WERE BOTH NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20180312TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 800 (NA) EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR A/T-S TIRES, SIZE: LT 285/75/R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,793 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

Mileage: 101,793

Compare 2004GMCSIERRA 1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 have?
The 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 has 253 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500?
Yes, the 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500?
The most-complained component for the 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL with 47 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.