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2004 Gmc SIERRA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

188 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

49,752 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 151 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 44 of 188 complaints (23.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior7841.5%
Transmission and shifting168.5%
Steering behavior136.9%
Electrical and battery issues63.2%
Engine operation42.1%
Fuel system concerns42.1%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes44
Electrical System18
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel18
Service Brakes, Hydraulic17
Power Train:Automatic Transmission12
Steering8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip7
Vehicle Speed Control6

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

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
42
25,000 to 49,999
34
50,000 to 74,999
18
75,000 to 99,999
33
100,000 to 149,999
18
150,000 and above
6
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00042
25,000 to 49,99934
50,000 to 74,99918
75,000 to 99,99933
100,000 to 149,99918
150,000 and above6

Under 25,000: 42; 25,000 to 49,999: 34; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 33; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 6

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (42). 37 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.

2004
29
2005
35
2006
14
2007
20
2008
4
2009
2
2010
4
2011
13
2012
10
2013
17
2014
29
2015
9
2016
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200429
200535
200614
200720
20084
20092
20104
201113
201210
201317
201429
20159
20162

2004: 29; 2005: 35; 2006: 14; 2007: 20; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 13; 2012: 10; 2013: 17; 2014: 29; 2015: 9; 2016: 2

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 78 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 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 10054003 · 2004-01-14 (January 14, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054003 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10055483 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)

THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL A RELAY SWITCH BECAUSE OF A WIRING CHANGE FROM THE 2000 MODELS. THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM CAME ON SEPARATELY. WHEN IT SNOWED AND THE HIGH BEAM WAS ON, SNOW BUILD UP ON THE LOW BEAM. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT CREATED A LAYER OF SNOW, AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE BACK TO LOW BEAM. *AK THE MECHANICS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AND INCOMPATIBILITY'S OF THE PREVIOUSLY USED RELAY. GMC WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055483 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10061039 · 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)

THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD 6 INCHES WHEN STARTED. *AK THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE PROBLEM ALSO COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061039 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10063659 · 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)

TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP EVERY SO OFTEN, ALSO IT WILL MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. THIS HAPPENS ALOT BUT NOT EVERY TIME. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AS YOU START MOVING AND CONTINUES FOR A GOOD DISTANCE (4 HIGH)*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063659 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10063915 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)

I OWN A 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP WITH 6,700 MILES. I AM EXPERIENCEING A IMTERMINTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LIGHTS. WHEN I ACTIVATE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL THE HAZARD LIGHTS BEGIN TO FLASH. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, AFTER WAITING TWO MONTHS FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR AT A TIME I WAS NEAR THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH AND TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH GMC DIRECTLY AND THE DEALERSHIP TO SEEK RESOLUTION BUT AM BEING TOLD THAT UNLESS THEY CAN SEE THE PROBLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063915 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10064323 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)

ON MY 2003 GMC TRUCK THE RIGHT REAR FENDER BROKE AT THE BOTTOM WHERE THE BOLT SCREW INTO THE SUPPORT, BUT ABOVE A 1 1/2" TO 2" ABOVE BOLT. THE DEALER AND GM REP. SAID SOMETHING HIT THE FENDER.ON THE BOLT HAVE A CHIP ABOUT 1/8" AND NO DAMAGE TO THE FENDER WHERE SOMETHING BROKE IT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064323 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10066509 · 2004-04-19 (April 19, 2004)

2004 GMC SIERRA POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066509 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10071240 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND REPRESENTED AS SUCH. UPON DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE BED WAS 2 CROOKED ON THE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO LEACHMAN MOTORS WHO IN TURN STATING IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY BENDING THE FRAME. THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. GM BLAMES LEACHMAN - LEACHMAN BLAMES GM AND WE HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO LEACHMAN BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE TRUCK PAYMENTS OF $452. SO AS NOT TO RUIN OUR CREDIT. NOW WE HAVE NO TRUCK AND NO-ONE IS HELPING US!! THIS TRUCK WAS SOLD AS A BRAN…

Owner-reported narrative. 181 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071240 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

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.

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V129000 · Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments

Reported: 2004-03-17 (March 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V225000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage

Reported: 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)

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 WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES.

Consequence: THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE STANDARD REQUIRES PASSENGER SEAT CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN VEHICLES WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE STANDARD DOES NOT REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH ONLY FRONT SEATING POSITIONS TO HAVE LOWER ANCHORAGE PROVISIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH.

Remedy: TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE RESULTING OPENING. THE SUN VISOR LABEL AND OWNER'S MANUAL WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. THE CORRECTION FOR THE EXTENDED CAB VEHICLE WILL CONSIST OF CHANGING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO A SEAT THAT HAS CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported: 2005-02-08 (February 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V161000 · Parking Brake

Reported: 2005-04-22 (April 22, 2005)

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.

Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V163000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other

Reported: 2005-04-22 (April 22, 2005)

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 OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)

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.

Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗