IllustrationPROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING ON 2004 GMC SIERRA. *MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED SOME SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND NOISES. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE TAKEN OUT. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOT SOLD UNTIL REPAIRED. RECALL# 04019. *SC *JB
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 4 TIMES, SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE IN ROUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK *NM
THE RIGHT SIDE POWER EXTENDING CAMPER STYLE MIRRORS ON MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500HD PICKUP TRUCK HAS BLIND SPOTS THAT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO SEE CARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK. YOU EITHER ADJUST THE MIRROR OUT AND POINTING DOWN TO SEE CARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OR YOU POINT THE MIRROR TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE TRUCK TO SEE THE BACK C…
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THE RIGHT SIDE POWER EXTENDING CAMPER STYLE MIRRORS ON MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500HD PICKUP TRUCK HAS BLIND SPOTS THAT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO SEE CARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK. YOU EITHER ADJUST THE MIRROR OUT AND POINTING DOWN TO SEE CARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OR YOU POINT THE MIRROR TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE TRUCK TO SEE THE BACK CORNER OF THE TRUCK TO BACK UP TO THINGS. BUT YOU CAN NOT SEE BOTH AT ONCE.*AK
TAKING FIRST ROAD TRIP WITH 2004 GMC SIERRA (3 MOTHS OLD)IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NEVADA DESERT. THE CAR WAS IN CRUISE MODE AT 70MPH AND IS JUST STALLED. THIS HAPPEND AT LEAST 4 TIMES OVER A STRETCH OF 50 MILES. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SAT EACH TIME FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES-(APPARENT COOLING TIME)-AND WAS ABLE TO RE-START TRUCK. …
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TAKING FIRST ROAD TRIP WITH 2004 GMC SIERRA (3 MOTHS OLD)IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NEVADA DESERT. THE CAR WAS IN CRUISE MODE AT 70MPH AND IS JUST STALLED. THIS HAPPEND AT LEAST 4 TIMES OVER A STRETCH OF 50 MILES. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SAT EACH TIME FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES-(APPARENT COOLING TIME)-AND WAS ABLE TO RE-START TRUCK. WE MADE IT TO BISHOP CALIFORNIA DEALER WHO TESTED IT FOR LEAN FUEL VALUES BUT NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES SIMILAR AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMPS SEEM TO BE OVER HEATING OR ACTING UP IN HIGHER ALTITUDES. PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR 10 DAYS. WE DROVE TO RENO IN AN EFFORT TO GET IT FIXED AT SHOP UP THERE-PART WAS THOUGHT TO BE AVAILABLE PER DEALERSHIP IN RENO BUT WAS NOT-THE DEALERSHIP WAS WRONG. MADE THE TRIP BACK HOME (LAS VEGAS) WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. DROVE IN THE NIGHT WHEN IT WAS COOLER AND KEPT FUEL TANK FILLED. LAS VEGAS DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THERE IS NO FURTHER FAILURE. I AM A PARAPELIGIC AND THINK THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT A NEW VEHICLE TO BE RELIABLE. I WAS ALSO ASTONISHED THAT ON STAR WAS UNUSEFUL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT SO IT WOULD HAVE DONE ME NO BETTER THAN A CELL PHONE AT THIS POINT. WE DRIVE THE TRUCK ONLY SHORT DISTANCES IN VEGAS AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY FURTHER ISSUES 3 WEEKS LATER. AFRAID TO RELY ON IT TO GO OUT OF TOWN THOUGH.*AK
VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD UPON START WHILE THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. *MR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *SC *JB
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TRIED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS DISTURBED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD SELL A VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING INSPECTED. *AK *SC *JB
OUR SON-IN-LAW OWNS A 2004 GMC 4-DOOR PICKUP. IT HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. OUR TWO-YEAR OLD GRANDSON WAS IN THE TRUCK WHILE HIS FATHER WAS CLEANING IT. THE KEY WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION SO THEY COULD LISTEN TO THE RADIO. THE CHILD PULLED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK AND THE TRUCK RAN AWAY DOWN AN INCLINE. BOTH DRIVER'S …
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OUR SON-IN-LAW OWNS A 2004 GMC 4-DOOR PICKUP. IT HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. OUR TWO-YEAR OLD GRANDSON WAS IN THE TRUCK WHILE HIS FATHER WAS CLEANING IT. THE KEY WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION SO THEY COULD LISTEN TO THE RADIO. THE CHILD PULLED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK AND THE TRUCK RAN AWAY DOWN AN INCLINE. BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE BY A TREE AND THE TRUCK CONTINUED UNTIL REAR-ENDING ANOTHER TREE. THE CHILD STAYED IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNHURT.*AK IN CHECKING THIS TRUCK, OUR 2003 TAHOE, AND OUR 2003 CHEVROLET PICKUP WE FIND THAT ALL OF THEM: 1. THE SHIFT LEVER IS LOCKED WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION 2. THE SHIFT LEVER IS LOCKED WHEN IN THE "RUN" OR IGNITION POSITION AND REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE DEPRESSED PRIOR TO SHIFTING. 3. BUT IN THE "ACCESSORY" POSITION THE SHIFT IS COMPLETELY UNLOCKED AND REQUIRES ONLY A VERY SLIGHT PRESSURE TO MOVE IT OUT OF PARK AND RESULT IN A RUNAWAY. I FEEL THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE SHIFT LEVER NOT TO BE LOCKED IN ALL POSITIONS AND, IN FACT, THE FACT IT IS LOCKED IN TWO POSITIONS BUT NOT THE ACCESSORY POSITION RESULTS IN CONFUSION AND A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THIS WAS NOT A COMPONENT FAILURE, BUT IS A DESIGN FAILURE THAT APPARENTLY INVOLVES ALL GM TRUCKS AND SUVS OF THIS MODEL.
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
2004 GMC 2500HD DURAMAX - PURCHASED MARCH 2004. SEVERE, ABRUPT 'CLACKING/CHATTER' COUPLED WITH BRIEF, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND BILLOWS OF SMOKE. HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES: 3/28 1660 MILES @ 67MPH, 5/5 2167 MILES @ 70 MPH, 5/8 2316 MILES @ 60-65 MPH, 5/8 2325 MILES @ 60-65 MPH.*AK
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SHAFT SECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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.