VehicleVerdict

2004 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 sits mid-pack among Sierra 1500 years: 253 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 218, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 85 reports (34% of the total).

253

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8534%
Brakes7028%
Steering218%
Engine135%
Speed Control114%
Fuel System94%
Transmission94%
Tires & Wheels94%
Airbags83%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Suspension42%
Lighting42%
Other31%
Seat Belts10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

06E050000BrakesJune 6, 2006 · 6,800 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.

Consequence

IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

04V562000OtherNovember 26, 2004 · 1,660 units

Defect

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.

04V240000Tires & WheelsMay 17, 2004 · 285 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

2004 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB - BURNING ODOR, SOOT ON DASHBOARD, REAR WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE. NO BLOWN FUSES. TAKEN TO THOMPSON'S GMC DEALERSHIP IN PLACERVILLE CA FOR REPAIR ON OCTOBER 20. GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES: WIRING HARNESS FOR REAR WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS PASSES UNDER AND RUBS AGAINST ARM OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 16, 2008 · fire

I WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND HAD TO STOP QUICKLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE AS THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM FINALLY STARTED TO RESPOND RIGHT BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE BACK CORNER OF A VAN. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY PICK-UP AND THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 29, 2006 · crash

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP ON HIGHWAY 101 IN THE CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH A BOLT FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LEAVING HIM WITH ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING. HE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS AROUND LIKE A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 28, 2010 · crash

REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN TO 1500 RPMS MAXIMUM. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. THIS PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $481. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 19, 2007

THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY, AFTER DOING A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY CHEVEROLET FULL SIZE VEHICLES. THIS WAS VERY OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN SITTING AT A STOP SIGN THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 35-40 MPH, AND WAS EITHER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 11, 2007

2004 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 1500: 253 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (85 complaints), brakes (70 complaints), steering (21 complaints).

Does the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.