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U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Gmc TOPKICK: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

5 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

31,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering:Linkages is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior360.0%
Engine operation120.0%
Fuel system concerns120.0%

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.

Steering:Linkages
2
Electrical System
1
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:Connection
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering:Linkages2
Electrical System1
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly1
Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:Connection1

Steering:Linkages: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:Connection: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 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.

2005
1
2006
3
2007
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20051
20063
20071

2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 1

Pattern summary

Steering:Linkages leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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 10141747 · 2005-11-04 (November 4, 2005)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141747 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10166804 · 2006-08-28 (August 28, 2006)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166804 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10166854 · 2006-08-29 (August 29, 2006)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166854 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10166857 · 2006-08-29 (August 29, 2006)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10166857 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10178351 · 2007-01-10 (January 10, 2007)

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 INC…

Owner-reported narrative. 69,170 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178351 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

04V123000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Reported: 2004-03-10 (March 10, 2004)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE SWITCH RETAINER HOLDING THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSH ROD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TOGETHER COULD BE MISSING.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PUSH ROD AND PEDAL TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF FOUNDATION BRAKES AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A NEW RETAINER IF MISSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GMCICT AT 1-800-862-4389.

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 ↗
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 ↗
05V288000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Fluid

Reported: 2005-06-16 (June 16, 2005)

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 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. A HOLE COULD BE WORN IN THE HOSE AND A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID WOULD OCCUR.

Consequence: IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FLUID LOSS, THE DRIVER WILL HEAR A NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND WARNING TONE WILL ACTIVATE. INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR STEERING AND BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE POWER STEERING HOSE. IF THE STEEL BRAIDING OF THE HOSE IS EXPOSED, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
07V469000 · Steering

Reported: 2007-10-04 (October 4, 2007)

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.

Consequence: THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY BE OFF-CENTER AND INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED WHEN TURNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CERTAIN DATE CODES AND VERIFY THE MILEAGE ON STEERING GEARS AND REPLACE GEARS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

NHTSA campaign record ↗