Total Complaints
5 filings
GMC TOPKICK · model year
2004 GMC TOPKICK
5 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004GMCTOPKICK carries 5 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 TOPKICK is steering:linkages with 2 filings, followed by fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly (1) and steering:linkages:drag:link:connection (1). 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 TOPKICK. 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.
5
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING:LINKAGES | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
Recalls (5)
04V12900017/03/2004
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
05V28800016/06/2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
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 INTERMED
04V12300010/03/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE SWITCH RETAINER HOLDING THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSH ROD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TOGETHER COULD BE MISSING.
05V04300008/02/2005
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.
07V46900004/10/2007
STEERING
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.
Recent Complaints
20070110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1/10/07 UNDER GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS, AND AT 80 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER LOSS LASTED ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND THE VEHICLE CAME BACK ON. THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO APPROXIMATE 78 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGE LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT VISIBLE DURING THE LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE DID NOT LOSE POWER COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT WAS ON A DELIVERY RUN, AND WAS TOLD BY LL JOHNSON DISTRIBUTION TO CALL THE HOT LINE AND REPORT THIS INCIDENT. *AK
Mileage: 69,170
20060829STEERING:LINKAGES
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.
Mileage: 31,000
20060829STEERING:LINKAGES
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.
20060828STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
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
Mileage: 31,000
20051104FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PUDDLE ON THE DRIVEWAY BENEATH THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANK. THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. *AK THE FULE HOSE WAS LEAKING AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING.
Mileage: 6,500
Compare 2004GMCTOPKICK to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2004 GMC TOPKICK have?▼
The 2004 GMC TOPKICK has 5 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 GMC TOPKICK?▼
Yes, the 2004 GMC TOPKICK has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC TOPKICK?▼
The most-complained component for the 2004 GMC TOPKICK is STEERING:LINKAGES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY and STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION.
Is the 2004 GMC TOPKICK 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.