2004 GMC Sierra 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 143 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (30% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“During cold mornings (wisconsin) I start my truck and I have no power steering and soft brakes. It is my understanding that the power steering runs the brake boost. Also, it is my understanding that there is a service bulletin that says that the power steering fluid should be replaced with low/cold temp fluid. My concern is what happens if I lose power steering and brakes while I am driving.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
“While driving over 50mph on the highway I get a violent shaking in the engine and the steering wheel shakes bake and forth. The engine sound very loud while its doing this. It only occurs when I am at highway speeds.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 2500. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact noticed a lot of white smoke emerging from the tail pipe. The vehicle was previously repaired under warranty by gwatney buick gmc (5700 landers rd, north little rock, ar 72117) for the same failure as listed in an unknown technical service bulletin regarding the fuel injectors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The instrument panel cluster gauges don't always work. We were on freeway when we noticed speedometer had failed as well as fuel gauge , temp gauge all gauges inoperative. This is third time cluster panel is being replaced; first two under warranty third time we had to pay $204.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle had a massive oil leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors were defective, which filled the crankcase full of fuel and was a known issue. The vehicle would have been repaired per an extended warranty; however, it fell outside of the parameters of the extended warranty, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 2500 hd. While driving 10 mph, the brakes failed without warning. It was diagnosed that all the brake lines needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,395.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2016
“In the past three months the fuel lines needed replacement as they had rusted so badly that a leak formed. Yesterday while pulling my 10,000 pound boat, my brakes suddenly failed because of a leak in the line between the ABS box and the right front wheel. The catastrophic failure nearly caused me to lose control of my vehicle and boat. I was able to downshift and use by emergency brake to bring the rig to a stop.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc 2500. The contact stated that the emergency brake was inoperable. The contact mentioned that the parking brake was depressed and an abnormal noise emitted from the under carriage of the vehicle. The contact believed that the parking brake cable was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 197,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the fuel restriction warning light illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2015
“I was leaving a parking lot, and as I hit my brakes, there were no brakes. I limped home, using the e-brake and transmission to keep the truck under control. Upon inspection I found the front brake line rusted and leaking. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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).
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 FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 2500 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 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 143 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 GMC Sierra 2500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 have open recalls?
4 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.