KnownCarProblems2004 GMC Sierra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 GMC Sierra, most often about the brakes (39% of complaints, typically around 78,500 miles). It is 5th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2004 GMC Sierra problems
Brakes
74 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while reversing into her residential garage, the brakes failed. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that one of the brake lines had fractured and all the rest of the brake lines were completely corroded. The vehicle was not…
Brake line failure as an emergency stopping procedure was in place. Vehicle eventually stopped, but rear ended the forward vehicle. Brake line corrosion in hard piping was diagnosed as the problem as the hard brake line ruptured.
Electrical
39 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, all of the instrument panel lights failed. The contact mentioned that the failure would recur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire instrument cluster needed to be…
Speedometer is stuck at 65 MPH & goes up from there so it is impossible to know how fast the vehicle is moving. This is very dangerous. I called GMC about recalls & they said there are none.
Transmission
18 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), clutch assembly.
Transmission will slip every so often, also it will make a loud noise when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. This happens alot but not every time. The four wheel drive makes a grinding noise as you start moving and continues for a good distance (4 high)
: 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.
Steering
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: gear box, rack and pinion, column locking, column.
Dt: contact states since 7-04 had steering problems. In 3-05 he received a letter from GMC stating that they extended the warranty to 2-11 or 100,000 miles because of all of the problems he had been having with the car. His warranty was about to run out and he was still having the same problems with his truck. He was…
Clunk noise that can be felt through steering column when traveling over rough pavement and is more pronounced when turning the wheel to the left. Manufacturer has known of this problem for several years and still has failed to correct it for many customers. Most dealer service centers tell customers that they can…
Body and structure
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Dt: the contact stated the hood spring on driver's side fell off. She was going to have the vehicle looked at next week. The bracket to the spring was loose. Updated 12/27/05.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving less than 10 MPH, the ABS engaged independently. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number…
Engine
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Drove from my home to coworkers (20mins) left truck in coworkers driveway ,and went to work. One hour later coworker rec'd call from next door that my truck was on fire.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving his vehicle the check engine light illuminated and the message reduce engine power appeared causing the vehicle to reduce speed. The contact stated that the failure happened several times without warning and it was a safety hazard while driving…
Speed control
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
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…
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…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the brake lines and fuel pump was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and replaced both the brake lines and fuel pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The…
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.
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 recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: 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
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC Sierra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (74 complaints, typically around 78,500 miles); electrical (39 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); transmission (18 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Sierra have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 3, 2006 (engine). 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?
- It is 5th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints, with 188 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.