2004 Gmc SIERRA 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
212 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 186 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 212 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 71 | 33.5% |
| Steering behavior | 22 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 47 |
| Service Brakes | 43 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 47; Service Brakes: 43; Electrical System: 32; Steering: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Air Bags: 6; Tires: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 51 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 51 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 51; 50,000 to 74,999: 51; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 9
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (51). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 43 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 19; 2007: 43; 2008: 16; 2009: 19; 2010: 17; 2011: 9; 2012: 12; 2013: 14; 2014: 23; 2015: 7; 2016: 4; 2017: 7; 2018: 6; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 71 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10090091 · 2004-09-29 (September 29, 2004)
UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO POWER. AAA WAS CALLED, AND IT WOULD NOT TAKE A JUMP. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BATTERY CABLE BOLT THAT BECAME DEFECTIVE FROM ACID. THE BATTERY CABLE PRONG AND WIRES WERE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095093 · 2004-12-08 (December 8, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE HIT A MERIDIAN STRIP POLE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SKIDDED INTO A GUARD RAIL, AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095668 · 2004-10-13 (October 13, 2004)
I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 GMC IN FEBUARY 04 AND IT KEEPS WEARING THE FRONT TIRES TO EXCESS AND THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT'S NORMAL FOR A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,,BULL THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE DUELER 265/R70/17 ANDTHE TRUCK. *AK IS A 1500 GMC SERRIA , I MAINTAIN MY EQUIPMENT AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE FOR PROBLEMS AND I CAN SEE SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT WITH TIRE FAILURE AND ACCIDENTS, I HAVE LOOK AT THE SAME MOLDEL AND THEY TOO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FRONT TIRE WEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098890 · 2004-11-15 (November 15, 2004)
THE LEAF SPRINGS CONTINUOUSLY SQUEAK...AND ARE WAY TOO NOISY! I HAVE PERSONALLY TRIED TO CLAMP THEM DOWN...GREASE THEM..SO THEY DO NOT SQUEAK! I PLAN ON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER!
Owner-reported narrative. 31 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099775 · 2004-12-10 (December 10, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE STALLED .CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK BRAKE PEDAL WAS RUSTED. BUMPER WAS RUSTING. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099775 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117257 · 2005-04-27 (April 27, 2005)
POWER STEERING FADED AT HIGH SPEED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE STEERING ROTATION SENSOR. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE POWER STEERING KICKED BACK IN VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY FROM TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK A NORMAL STEERING ROTATION SENOR WILL FADE OUT POWER STEERING AT HIGH SPEEDS SO YOU HAVE BETTER FEEL OF THE ROAD. AS SPEED DECREASES THE STEERING SHOULD ONCE AGAIN BECOME EASY WHEN SPEED DECREASES. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, THE STEERING WOULD BE HARD AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHILE YOU ARE APPLYING…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130171 · 2005-07-08 (July 8, 2005)
2004 GMC 1500 DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT.*MR THE CONSUMER WENT TO FOUR DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO ALL ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155018 · 2006-04-11 (April 11, 2006)
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY,WHEN DESCENDING DOWN A HILL,THE TRUCK PICKS UP SPEED,THERE IS NO HOLD BACK,IT JUST LIKE IT FREE WHEELS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155018 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V240000 · Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Reported: 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)
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.
Consequence: IF SOMEONE HAS A FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT WHEEL, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INSTALL THE PROVIDED SPARE TIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPARE WHEEL WITH THE CORRECT OFFSET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT REGENCY AT 1-800-989-4727.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V562000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2004-11-26 (November 26, 2004)
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
NHTSA campaign record ↗