IllustrationERRATIC SPEEDOMETER - AFTER 20-30MIN. DRIVING, NEEDLE WILL SUDDENLY DROP TO 10MPH AND YOUR STILL AT 55 OR HIGHER. WILL EVENTUALLY GO TO 0. ONCE VEHICLED COOLS DOWN, SPEEDOMETER SEEMS TO WORK AGAIN, TEMPORARILY.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
420–25K
3425–50K
1850–75K
3375–100K
18100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
188 reports2004 SIERRA CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE TRUCK. *TS *JB
1) AFTER PASSING 50,000 ON MY 04 GMC SIERRA 2) SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING CORRECTING RESULTING IN TWO SPEEDING TICKETS THIS PAST SUMMER. 3) I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO ONLY HEAR, IT WILL COST YOU AROUND $800.00 TO FIX. *JB
MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM WORKING NORMALLY TO NOW IT STICKS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AT A STAND STILL 70 TO 80 MPH OR NOT WORKING AT ALL OR OVER 100 MPH WHEN DRIVING PROBABLY 30 MPH AM NOT SURE HOW FAST I AM GOING. AFTER RESEARCHING TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I FOUND THAT MANY GM CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SA…
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MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM WORKING NORMALLY TO NOW IT STICKS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AT A STAND STILL 70 TO 80 MPH OR NOT WORKING AT ALL OR OVER 100 MPH WHEN DRIVING PROBABLY 30 MPH AM NOT SURE HOW FAST I AM GOING. AFTER RESEARCHING TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I FOUND THAT MANY GM CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SPEEDOMETER. SOME OF THEM ACTUALLY PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WHILE OTHERS ARE PAYING 4-7 HUNDRED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM HOURS LATER AFTER PAYING TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CALLED A NEARBY GMC DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SPEEDOMETERS THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT BUT THAT THEY WERE GETTING A LOT OF CALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A RECALL OF THE SPEEDOMETER EQUIPMENT ON 2004 GM TRUCKS . *JB
MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM WORKING NORMALLY TO 0 MPH BEING 75 MPH NOW I AM NOT SURE HOW FAST I AM GOING. IT JUST STARTED THIS EVENING AFTER I PICKED UP MY SON. BEFORE THAT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE. AFTER RESEARCHING TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I FOUND THAT MANY GM CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLE…
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MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM WORKING NORMALLY TO 0 MPH BEING 75 MPH NOW I AM NOT SURE HOW FAST I AM GOING. IT JUST STARTED THIS EVENING AFTER I PICKED UP MY SON. BEFORE THAT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE. AFTER RESEARCHING TO SEE IF ANY OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I FOUND THAT MANY GM CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SPEEDOMETER. SOME OF THEM ACTUALLY PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WHILE OTHERS ARE PAYING 4-7 HUNDRED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM HOURS LATER AFTER PAYING TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A RECALL OF THE SPEEDOMETER EQUIPMENT ON 2004 GM TRUCKS AND SUV'S. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE IS INOPERATIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/21/2006 - THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. MANY COMOPO…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE IS INOPERATIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/21/2006 - THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. MANY COMOPONENTS WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT NONE OF THEM WORKED TO PERMANENTLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM
CLUNKING NOISE ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF 2004 GMC 1500 WITH 33000 MILES. WAS IN AT DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY TEMPORARILY FIX PROBLEM. WAS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SECTION AND GM HAD NOT FOUND FIX FOR IT. SAID THAT THE CLUNKING WOULD RETURN IN FEW MONTHS. THEY PUT NEW GREASE IN. WHAT AM I TO DO WHEN WARRANTY EXPIRES …
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CLUNKING NOISE ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF 2004 GMC 1500 WITH 33000 MILES. WAS IN AT DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY TEMPORARILY FIX PROBLEM. WAS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SECTION AND GM HAD NOT FOUND FIX FOR IT. SAID THAT THE CLUNKING WOULD RETURN IN FEW MONTHS. THEY PUT NEW GREASE IN. WHAT AM I TO DO WHEN WARRANTY EXPIRES IN 3000 MILES AND IT RETURNS? IS THIS GOING TO CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND EVEN WORSE? *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.
MY CONCERN IS ONE FOR TRYING TO PREVENT A FUTURE ACCIDENT. I OWN A GMC SIERRA 2500 PICKUP AND THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND IN GOING OUT AGAIN. THIS ALL WITHIN 40,000 MILES. I FEEL THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PART. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE STEERING SHAFT FAILS, THE DRIVER WOUL…
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MY CONCERN IS ONE FOR TRYING TO PREVENT A FUTURE ACCIDENT. I OWN A GMC SIERRA 2500 PICKUP AND THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND IN GOING OUT AGAIN. THIS ALL WITHIN 40,000 MILES. I FEEL THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PART. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE STEERING SHAFT FAILS, THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 GMC SIERRA, THE SPEEDOMETER, KEEP ACTING UP AND THEN IT JUST QUIT. BEFORE THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY WENT OUT. SO I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND SAID IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 1000.00 DOLLARS .I THINK THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURE. *NM
Official recalls
706V289000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.