2004 GMC Sierra 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 212 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 212 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact's father owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after she inserted the key in the ignition and started the vehicle, the front driver's side air bag exploded, without warning. The contact sustained an injury to her left arm, hand, neck, and head that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2023
“Corroded brake lines. This has been reported previously. I was driving down rural road getting ready to turn in my driveway when my brakes gave out. I was lucky enough to be able to get it into the gravel driveway without killing someone. When I looked underneath to find the brake lines were corroded and one had burst. I had part of the line fixed with copper tubing. I have since had 2 more lines burst. As well as a fuel line leak. This has become frustrating.*dt*jb”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that there was a burning electrical odor inside the vehicle. The contact reached out to the manufacturer regarding the failure of the blower fan resister and was informed that the extended warranty had expired. The contact stated that he never received the notification. The vehicle was taken to cotters gmc (435 hall ave, st mary's, pa 15857, 814-834-2063) and they provide a verbal diagnosis of the blower resister fan and electrical harness failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 102,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the valve head was cracked and the anti-freeze was depleted; however, there were no visible leakage. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 131,000.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 1500. While operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster gauges flashed off and on and, at times, completely stopped operating. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the local dealer was not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 97,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 1500. While operating the vehicle, the engine suddenly stalled. It was discovered that the vehicle was out of fuel; however, the fuel gauge indicated that the tank was half full at the time of the incident. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (garcia buick gmc, 2721 cerrillos rd, santa fe, nm 87507) were both notified, but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 800 (na) equipped with yokohama geolandar a/t-s tires, size: lt 285/75/r16 (na). While driving approximately 65 mph, the front end of the vehicle shook and the front passenger side tire blew out. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The tire was replaced with the spare. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty was expired. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 101,793 and the tire failure mileage was 14,000.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2018
“2004 gmc sierra 1500 sle. Goodyear wrangler p255 70r16 dot mdcuc6hr 5211. Tires have approximately 25k miles on them. Left rear tire blew due to tread separation. Visually inspected tires and checked pressure on all tires before a long road trip. Tire blew without warning and am now nervous about the remaining tires. Was on interstate 10 at approx 70mph when tire blew, luckily no one was next to me as the rear end of the truck fishtailed into the next lane. Was able to pull over safely and put on a spare.”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2017
“I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2004 and have taken very good care and almost 100,00 miles in almost 14 years however I applied the brake and all the brak fluid came out I had to drive over a person lawn to avoid hitting a person and a moving vehicle on 7/1/2017 due to rusty brake line and checking all lines were rusted . I am almost 75 years old and very concerned I was aware the lines were all rusted due to imported brake lines with inferior metals, never heard about and notice or recall.I almost injured a person and hit a car if I did not drive on someones lawn the vehivle was moving about 35 mph .”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2017
“Battery runs down drained, control panel lights goes out. Ac quit working. Vehicle sits in our yard most of the time. We have to charge battery every day in order to go anywhere.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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.
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 212 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.