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2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 212 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about the electrical (38% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is 16th of 27 Sierra 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Electrical
81 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
Speedometer reads 30 MPH over what it should. Not only that, the 4WD sensor when out. Only used 4WD less than 10 times. Truck has less than 51k miles.
2004 GMC sierra speedometer gives erroneous readings at highway speed. Caused inadvertent and braking, unsafe speed and loss of situational awareness.
Brakes
66 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
I own a 2004 GMC k1500 with about 70000 miles on it now. On 10/17/11 at 67410 miles I was doing a normal oil change with the vehicle elevated on a rack. I noticed fluid dripping on me from under the drivers floor area. Upon closer inspection I found almost all of the brake lines leading from the front of the truck to…
I was approaching a stop sign driving approximately 45 MPH. When I applied the brakes the pedal went to the floor, and the vehicle wouldn't stop. I maneuvered past several vehicles almost striking them. I was able to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle after some distance past the intersection. I am a police…
Steering
21 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, gear box.
Me and my two boys where headed home and I was taking a curve at 50mph a went to slow down to 45 when I started to take the curve I heard some kind of metal bone breaking sound and my truck jerked to the oncoming lane and a jerked it back but after that everything went loose and me and my boys went sideways of of the…
My 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 makes a load clunking noise when the steering wheel is turned, I had this vehicle in for repair while it was under warranty and it kept returning.
Engine
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. During the failure, the temperature gauge reading was high and steam appeared from under the hood. The dealer stated that the engine cylinder head was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer…
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, he heard a noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the cylinder heads being cracked, causing the engine to lose oil and coolant. The local mechanic replaced…
Speed control
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Instrument cluster works intermittently. Speedometer, fuel gauge etc, do not work at random times. (while operating the vehicle, or not) the lights on the instrument cluster also dim, flicker, and sometimes go out completely. This particular vehicle has very low mileage, (used as a recreational vehicle, not primary…
Cruise control does not work properly,when descending down a hill,the truck picks up speed,there is no hold back,it just like it free wheels.
Fuel system
9 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
Fuel tank has rusted steel support straps; rear strap broke and tank dropped a few inches placing additional pressure on rusted front support strap. Tank would bounce up and down due to bumps in road. Fortunately my friend, following my truck, alerted me and we secured tank with a length of rope. Had he not alerted me…
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the fuel tank strap fractured due to corrosion. Also, the brake lines were rusted and the instrument panel gauges were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who replaced the brake lines. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The…
Air bags
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Vehicle hit a meridian strip pole. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, skidded into a guard rail, and vehicle flipped over twice. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Passenger and driver sustained neck and back…
Air bag sensor icon stays on showing a problem with the front passenger airbag. Don't know what that means other than the air bag is continually off no matter what you do, on the passenger side. Vehicle was not in a wreck or crash or fire. It just came on by itself a couple of months ago and can;t be made to go away…
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
I purchased bridgestone dueler alenza hl tires at 42509 on 06/10/2009 and on 04/10/2011 I had a slow leak and went to bridgestone dealer for repair but noticed cracking in tread. I was told this was normal! In may 2013 my mechanic said this cracking was dry rot and I verified with other tire dealer truck had 70693…
Bought truck 15 days ago. Had a nail in my tire so I put on the spare tire which was rusty and probably never looked at for 11 years but had to put this on to avoid being stranded. This vehicle was just inspected and was wondering if the spare tire is included in the inspection process. Due to rusty tire condition the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk: If someone has a flat tire on the front wheel, they will not be able to install the provided spare tire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (81 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); brakes (66 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); steering (21 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 26, 2004 (equipment Adaptive/Mobility). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the GMC Sierra 1500?
- It is 16th of 27 Sierra 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 212 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.