2004 GMC Sierra 1500

Above average

Owners filed 212 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › instrument cluster/panel. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

185 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel45
000
Service Brakes42
102
Electrical System24
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic16
102
Steering14
100
Vehicle Speed Control6
000
Tires5
100
Engine5
000
Air Bags5
102
Fuel/Propulsion System4
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Service Brakes, Air06E050000
Filed Jun 6, 20066,800 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility04V562000
Filed Nov 26, 20041,660 vehiclesMobility Works

Defect. ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

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.

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire04V240000
Filed May 17, 2004285 vehiclesRegency Conversions Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF SOMEONE HAS A FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT WHEEL, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INSTALL THE PROVIDED SPARE TIRE.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed May 5, 2025MN

The person i bought the vehicle from switched out the gauge cluster and lied about the vechiles mileage

Air Bags1 injured
Filed May 3, 2023200,000 milesTN

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.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Oct 9, 2021PA

When to start truck and air bag in steering wheel exploded.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 2021PA

Went to start truck and the air bag in the steering wheel exploded.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jun 26, 2020AL

WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITION THE LEFT SIDE BLOW OUT HOT HEAT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 26, 2020KY

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

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 2019102,000 milesPA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 19, 2019TX

DASHBOARD SAYS 'SERVICE AIRBAGS'

Air Bags
Filed Jan 3, 2019225,000 milesCA

I HAVE GMC SIERRA 1500 4WD THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON , IF ANY RECALL PLEASE HELP

Engine
Filed Dec 19, 2018131,000 milesCA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 201897,000 milesOK

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 25, 201836,000 milesAR

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 BANK OF THE CURVE AND WE ROLLED 3 TIMES BEFORE WE STOPPED TANK UP. MY AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF NEITHER THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. I HEARD A HISSING NOISE I GOT MY BOYS OUT AS FAST AS I COULD WITH SOME HELP OF BYSTANDERS BREAKING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SO WE COULD CRAWL OUT. THEY CARRIED MY BOYS AND HELPED ME HOP TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. ME AND MY BOYS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY WERE ALRIGHT THANK GOD I RECEIVED SOME INJURIES TO MY BACK, NECK, STOMACH AND HEAD. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND IVY HALL TOWING IN JACKSONVILLE, AR KEEP MY TRUCK AND PUT A LIEN ON IT. HOW THEY EXCEPT SOMEONE TO PAY AFTER THEY WERE IN A WRECK AND LOST THEIR JOB BECAUSE NO RIDE TO GET BACK AND FORTH. MY ROLLOVER WRECK HAPPENED ON HWY 107 AND CLEVELAND IN ARKANSAS ON MARCH 21ST 2018

Electrical System
Filed Jul 13, 201852,608 milesMI

MY TRUCK IS MY BACK-UP VEHICLE THAT SITS IN THE SIDE DRIVEWAY MOST OF THE TIME BUT I DRIVE WHEN I'M TRANSPORTING LARGE ITEMS OR MOVING TO A NEW HOME. I RECENTLY DROVE IT AND NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING AND WENT SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT RELATED ISSUES ON THE INTERNET WHEN I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE POSTED ON GMC'S WEBSITE BUT THEY ARE SAYING IT'S PAST THE "TIME" ALLOWED TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR A TIME FRAME TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE I DON'T DRIVE THIS TRUCK MUCH. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEALERSHIP'S INSPECTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT IT'S INDEED BROKE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE RECALL. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT I'M HOPPING MAD BECAUSE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OTHER GMC OWNERS PROBABLY HAD REPAIRED BUT BECAUSE THIS WAS MY BACK-UP VEHICLE, I'M PENALIZED FOR NOT HAVING THE PROBLEM SURFACE EARLIER BEFORE THE "TIME" FRAME EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP I CURRENTLY HAVE MY TRUCK AT IS SHELDON GMC IN ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307 I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] CALL OR TEXT. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Jun 29, 2018160,000 milesNM

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.

Tires
Filed Mar 12, 2018101,793 milesCA

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.

Wheels
Filed Dec 26, 2017178,500 milesFL

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 1, 201782,000 milesFL

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 3, 2017999,940 milesMI

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 .

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 20, 20176,500 milesCA

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 TRANSPORTATION) IT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED.

Service Brakes
Filed May 20, 2017KY

BRAKES WENT OUT AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, BRAKE LINE CORROSION

20 of 212 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2026111200Do not drive
2025115100Routine
2024354100Above average
2023468320Above average
2022583650Above average
2021564760Above average
20204641250Above average
20196381030Above average
2018300710Above average
2017353540Above average
20163417130Do not drive
2015717990Above average
2014738971Fatalities reported
2013115310Routine
2012107300Routine
2011284530Above average
2010168420Routine
2009234440Above average
2008381250Above average
2007262320Above average
2006145251Fatalities reported
2005177390Routine
2004 — this page212510Above average
2003180440Routine
2002166400Routine
2001140500Routine
2000181300Routine
1999158400Routine
199859420Routine
199783500Routine
19965010Routine
19953010Routine
199413000Routine

Compare every Sierra 1500 year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.