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2004 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra years

Owner complaints for the 2004 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

151 reports with mileage · 37 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

44 reports
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90,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS TAKING MY 4 YR OLD TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING WITH HIS 1 YR OLD SISTER WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. UPON APPROACHING A RED STOPLIGHT AT 30 MILES PER HOUR WITH THREE CARS STOPPED AHEAD OF ME I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED GEARSHIFT TO THE LOW POSITION AND SWERVED INTO THE VACANT LE…

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I WAS TAKING MY 4 YR OLD TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING WITH HIS 1 YR OLD SISTER WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. UPON APPROACHING A RED STOPLIGHT AT 30 MILES PER HOUR WITH THREE CARS STOPPED AHEAD OF ME I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED GEARSHIFT TO THE LOW POSITION AND SWERVED INTO THE VACANT LEFT HAND TURNING LANE TO AVOID THE CARS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. THEN TURNED HARD RIGHT AS TO NOT ENTER THE BUSY INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF ME WITH NO AVAIL. SOMEHOW WE WERE NOT HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME I PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHICH ENDED ABRUPTLY AND TURNED INTO A GRASSY AREA OF A BASEBALL FIELD WHERE THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP.GM STATES THAT IF THERE IS A BRAKE LINE FAILURE THE VEHICLE STILL HAS BRAKING ABILITY. I CAN TELL YOU FIRST HAND THAT IS A TOTALLY FALSE STATEMENT. MY VEHICLE DASH DID NOT DISPLAY ANY PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TOW TO MY HOME I PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION TO CHECK MY MILEAGE AND NOW A BRAKE FAILURE MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED.I AM VERY ANGRY WITH GM FOR NOT NOTIFYING ME OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER HAD ANY IDEA THERE WAS AN ON GOING ISSUE UNTIL TODAY. MYSELF AND MY TWO CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED TODAY BECAUSE OF THIS NEGLECT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE MANY MORE GM VEHICLE WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND INNOCENT PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE HURT OR EVEN DIE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628453

129,219 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL HAD NO PRESSURE AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. TRUCK WOULDN'T STOP. LATER I NOTICED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THERE WAS NO LEAK BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY EARLIER IN THE DAY. IF I HADN'T BEEN IN A PARKING LOT AND OUT ON THE ROAD, THERE WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626106

55,000 miles · Aug 15, 2014
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED ON MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICK UP TRUCK - INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, ALL REMAINING LINES NEED TO BE CHANGE DUE TO CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622548

51,228 miles · Jul 19, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes

ALL FUEL AND BRAKES LIKE ROTTED. THE BRAKES FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. ONE BRAKE LINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED APPROX. 1 YEAR AGO. BOTH TIMES VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR. TOTAL COST FOR MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT/REPAIR WAS $1202.13. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614754

90,780 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Service Brakes

HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY AT ABOUT 20 MPH. BRAKE LINES BURST DUE TO CORROSION. ALL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST $756.87 FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609999

118,110 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Service Brakes

I HAD NOT DRIVEN MY TRUCK IN A FEW MONTHS DUE TO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VENTILATION CONTROLS. WHILE BEGINNING TO PREPARE THE TRUCK TO TOW A 3500 POUND BOAT I NEEDED TO REPOSITION THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY SLOPES DOWN TO THE STREET. WHILE MOVING THE TRUCK, ON MY DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOO…

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I HAD NOT DRIVEN MY TRUCK IN A FEW MONTHS DUE TO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VENTILATION CONTROLS. WHILE BEGINNING TO PREPARE THE TRUCK TO TOW A 3500 POUND BOAT I NEEDED TO REPOSITION THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY SLOPES DOWN TO THE STREET. WHILE MOVING THE TRUCK, ON MY DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING THE BRAKES WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING AT IDLE SPEED. ALL BRAKING WAS GONE AND THE TRUCK ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO TRAFFIC ON MY STREET. BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND COASTING TO A STOP (IN GEAR) JUST AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK BACK IN MY DRIVEWAY I FOUND TWO DISTINCT PUDDLES OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. INSPECTING THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT FAILURE POINTS IN THE BRAKE LINES. ONE CLOSER TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ANOTHER A FEW FEET FURTHER BACK. I BELIEVE ONE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE FRONT BRAKE CIRCUIT AND THE OTHER WAS IN THE REAR BRAKE CIRCUIT WHICH LED TO THE *COMPLETE* LOSS OF BRAKING. THIS IS CONTRARY TO GM CLAIMS THAT THIS FAILURE CAN NOT LEAD TO TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. I HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THE FAILURE POINTS THAT I CAN FORWARD IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609450

81,363 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Service Brakes

LOST BRAKES AT STOP LIGHT . FOUND ALL BREAK LINES RUSTED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608867

40,500 miles · Jun 12, 2014
Service Brakes

BURST STEEL BRAKE LINE DUE TO CORROSION. WAS TOWING A TRAILER AT THE TIME. ALL BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. STILL HAVE MALFUNCTIONING FRONT ABS DUE TO CORROSION AFFECTING THE WHEEL SENSORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597836

104,000 miles · Jun 1, 2014
Service Brakes

I HAD JUST HAD THE TRUCK INSPECTED. WAS DRIVING HOME AND TWO BLOCKS FROM THE INSPECTION STATION WHEN I CAME TO A RED LIGHT. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY I REACTED QUICKLY ENOUGH TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK AND KEEP FROM REAR ENDING THE CAR THAT WAS ALREADY STOPPED. AFTER P…

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I HAD JUST HAD THE TRUCK INSPECTED. WAS DRIVING HOME AND TWO BLOCKS FROM THE INSPECTION STATION WHEN I CAME TO A RED LIGHT. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY I REACTED QUICKLY ENOUGH TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK AND KEEP FROM REAR ENDING THE CAR THAT WAS ALREADY STOPPED. AFTER PULLING INTO PARKING LOT AND INSPECTING THE BRAKES I NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDER THE FRONT LEFT OF THE TRUCK. LOOKING CLOSER I FOUND THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I RETURNED TO THE SHOP WHERE I HAD THE INSPECTION DONE. HE REPAIRED THE ONE LINE THAT HAD BURST. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE OTHER LINES LOOKED RUSTED AND READY TO BURST AT ANYTIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595398

120,000 miles · May 6, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINES COMPLETED RUSTED OUT. PURCHASED FROM A GMC/CHEVY DEALER WITH NO NOTICE OF THIS ISSUE. THEY KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. STILL NO RECALL. I GUESS NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE DIED YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586751

Official recalls

7

06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 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 & remedy

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.

05V161000 · Parking Brake

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

04V225000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

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 & remedy

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.

04V129000 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments

Mar 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 & remedy

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.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.