Total Complaints
224 filings
GMC SIERRA · model year
224 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 10 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004GMCSIERRA carries 224 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 7 fires, 17 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 is service brakes with 44 filings, followed by electrical system (18) and electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (18). 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 10 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. 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.
Total Complaints
224 filings
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 44 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 18 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 17 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 12 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| STRUCTURE | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
EQUIPMENT
AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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
PARKING BRAKE
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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 TH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AND THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE SENSOR AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO MORE IN DEPTH ON THE ABS BUT TO GO MORE IN DEPTH THEY CHARGE $80.00 AN HOUR JUST TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR RESPONSES ON THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THIS VEHICLE PLEASE HELP.
Mileage: 154,000
I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AND THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE SENSOR AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO MORE IN DEPTH ON THE ABS BUT TO GO MORE IN DEPTH THEY CHARGE $80.00 AN HOUR JUST TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR RESPONSES ON THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THIS VEHICLE PLEASE HELP.
Mileage: 154,000
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.
Mileage: 120,000
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.
Mileage: 120,000
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.
Mileage: 120,000
RUSTED BRAKE LINE
Mileage: 111,500
DROVE FROM MY HOME TO COWORKERS (20MINS) LEFT TRUCK IN COWORKERS DRIVEWAY ,AND WENT TO WORK. ONE HOUR LATER COWORKER REC'D CALL FROM NEXT DOOR THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.
Mileage: 90,000
GMC REPLACED ALL 8 FUEL INJECTORS UNDER WARRANTY AT 95,000 MILES. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AT 135,000 AND WILL NOT COVER THEM. ESTIMATED $5,500 TO REPLACE BY CONSUMER WITH ONLY A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. CREATES POOR FUEL ECONOMY, EXCESSIVE SMOKE AT IDLE AND WILL NOT PASS SMOG IF NOT CORRECTED.
I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON MY 2004 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCK. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND COMING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE REAR EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THE AREA AROUND THE BRAKE MODULE, IN THE FRAME AREA UNDER THE DRIVER'S AREA, SOAKED WITH BRAKE FLUID AND CORRODED BRAKE LINES.
Mileage: 41,690
ON DECEMBER 28, 2014 I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 GMC PICK-UP TRUCK AND SUFFERED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE BRAKE FAILURE - NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, AND NO GRADUAL DECREASE IN BRAKING ABILITY. AFTER THE FAILURE, I DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND MASSIVE LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID FROM A RUSTED BRAKE LINE. PREVIOUSLY, IN APRIL OF 2014 I HAD MY PICK-UP TRUCK SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED GMC SERVICE CENTER. AT THAT TIME, THE SERVICE TICKET REFERENCED CONDITION OF BRAKES TO BE IN YELLOW REQUIRING FUTURE ATTENTION. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ISSUE AT THAT TIME WAS BRAKE ROTORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE NEXT SERVICE INTERVAL. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANY POTENTIAL DANGER FROM BRAKE LINE RUSTING/FAILURE. UPON RESEARCHING VEHICLE ISSUES ON THE WEB I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF BRAKE LINE FAILURES FOR VEHICLES OF MY TYPE. IT APPEARS GMC HAS RE
Mileage: 86,150
I SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAB OF THE PICKUP TRUCK AND HEARD A SHRIEKING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN TO RELIEVE MY DIZZINESS FROM THE FUMES. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND 3 OF THE 6 BOLTS BROKEN THAT FASTEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE. EXHAUST FUMES ARE LEAKING FROM THE BURNED OUT GASKET. *TR
Mileage: 126,500
AGAIN. MY TRUCK HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AGAIN DUE TO CORROSION ON THE STEEL LINES. THIS IS AN OTHERWISE NICE TRUCK WITH BRAKE LINES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY'VE BEEN IN THE OCEAN THEIR ENTIRE LIVES. GM DEALER QUOTED OVER $1,700 TO FIX. GM OWNED WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO COVER REPAIR. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TELLS ME TO POUND SAND. *TR
Mileage: 92,546
DRIVING ON WEST STONE DRIVE KINGSPORT, TN, A VEHICLE CUT ME OFF TRYING TO GET THRU A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I LOCKED MY BRAKES DOWN HARD AS I COULD, I COULD FEEL THE ABS SYSTEM WORKING, I WAS ABLE TO STOP ABOUT 12 INCHES FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I PULLED OUT AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE, DEPRESSING MY BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY, THE PEDAL WENT ALL WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD.. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED, ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES BEHIND LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD RUPTURED. WHEN THE MECHANIC STARTED THE REPAIRS, HE CALLED SAID ALL LINES ON THIS TRUCK WERE EXTREMELY RUSTY, (HE ASKED WHAT I WANTED TO DO) I SAID FIX IT RIGHT. IN MAKING THE REPAIRS ALL LINES WERE REPLACED.. I HAVE PICTURES OF ALL LINES THAT CAN BE SENT. I ALSO HAVE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES THAT CAN BE LOOKED AT AND OR ANALYZED. *TR
Mileage: 79,200
AFTER HAVING A GM DEALER PERFORM OIL CHANGE, PERHAPS 1/4 MILE DOWN THE STREET FROM THEIR FACILITY ENCOUNTERED TRAFFIC STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF ME. APPLIED THE BRAKES TO FIND THAT THEY FELT MUSHY, AND BEFORE COMPLETELY STOPPING WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED THE PARKING BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT CRASHING INTO THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I NURSED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND COULD FIND NO ISSUE, THE WEATHER WAS VERY WET AND SLOPPY, AND LIGHT SNOW SO I COULD NOT SEE THE TELL TALE FLUID LEAKAGE FROM A BRAKE LINE. BECAUSE I HAD LOST ALL BRAKING I ASSUMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. I HAD CHANGED ALL CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE, AND AT 140,000 THOUGHT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILING WOULD BE UNUSUAL, BUT THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD CAUSE COMPLETE FAILURE. AFTER REPLACING THE MASTER I ATTEMPTED TO BLEED THE SYSTEM ONLY TO FIND THAT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. NOW
Mileage: 142,385
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING OFF CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK WHERE MANIFOLD BOLTS ONTO HEAD. DUE TO EXHAUST LEAK NOW VEHICLE IS THROWING CODES FOR CATALYTIC THRESHOLD LOW. WHICH LEADS TO A MAGNITUDE OF PROBLEMS TO LACK OF POWER, POOR FUEL MILEAGE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PASS EMISSION TEST IN SOME STATES. PROBLEM RESULTS IN UPWARD OF THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIR FOR FAULTY BOLTS, AFTER RESEARCHING SAID PROBLEM IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM V8 OF THIS YEAR OLDER AND NEWER AS WELL. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT AND FLAW IN GM'S DESIGN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASPA!!! THIS IS A PROB THAT IS AFFECTING EPA LAWS AND NEEDS ACTION TAKEN AGAINST GM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT GETS WORSE. GM NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR VEHICLES AND POOR DESIGN AND OR PRODUCTS THAT GO INTO THEM THAT CAUSES LAWS OR SAFETY TO BE BROKEN OR EFFECTED! *JS
Mileage: 180,000
STARTED OUT WHEN BRAKE FLUID STARTED LEAKING FROM THE TRUCK. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN WAS DRIVING. FOUND OUT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND WAS LEAKING AND THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE OVER $1200. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS LOOKS TO BE A KNOWN FOR CERTAIN GMC/CHEVY YEAR TRUCKS. *TR
Mileage: 74,000
WILL NOT GO INTO PARK. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
AT THE ABOVE LISTED DATE MY VEHICLE BEGAN BLOWING EXCESSIVE BLUE SMOKE THROUGH THE EXHAUST. I DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTORS SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE. I ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THIS WITH GM AT THAT TIME AND WAS TOLD I WAS TOO LATE PAST THE DATE TO GET SERVICE ON THE RECALL. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL AND WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT AT THAT TIME. IT CONTINUES TO BLOW EXCESSIVE SMOKE BUT ONLY AT IDLE. I WISH TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AS IT IS HURTING THE ENVIRONMENT. I WAS GIVEN A PRICE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT CORRECTED AS THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
MULTIPLE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BROKEN ON EACH SIDE. *TR
Mileage: 84,000
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
Mileage: 25,000
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.