2004 GMC Sierra 2500

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 143 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 4 times.

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

122 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes32
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel26
000
Electrical System18
030
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
100
Engine8
000
Fuel System, Diesel4
000
Tires3
000
Steering3
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System3
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
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).

Steering06E010000
Filed Feb 1, 20061,360 vehiclesFabtech Motorsports

Defect. 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.

Risk. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2021WV

Brakes lines failed under truck do to rusted out lines

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 2021NV

EMERGENCY BRAKES DON'T ENGAGE

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2020158,500 milesWI

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.

Engine
Filed Dec 9, 201849,000 milesMA

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Nov 27, 201890,000 milesAR

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.

Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2018105,000 milesPA

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 29, 201863,000 milesMA

PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, LOST BRAKES. STEEL BRAKE LINES BY FUEL TANK, LET GO CAUSING TRUCK TO LOOSE BRAKES

Electrical System
Filed Sep 23, 2017111,000 milesCA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 201748,000 milesMI

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-75 HIGHWAY ABOUT 70 MPH, IN MOTION, IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND HAD TO STOP FAST WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED/MASHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY TO FEEL IT FALL TO THE FLOOR, THE METAL HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED AND I NOW HAVE NO BRAKES AT ALL!! I BEGAN TO PRESS ON THE PARKING BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO ASSIST IN THE SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE. I ALSO STEERED AROUND THE STOPPED CARS INTO THE SIDE AND DITCH OF THE ROAD. I LUCKILY HAD THE RIGHT REACTIONS BUT NOT ALL PEOPLE DO OR CANNOT ACT AS FAST. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS GMC SIERRA 2004. PLEASE HAVE IT RECALLED. I HAD TO HAVE THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACE ALL THE METAL BRAKE LINES AS THEY WERE CORRODED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE FAIL ITS BRAKE LINES LIKE THIS. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT SUPER CLEAN.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 10, 201745,000 milesNY

MY VEHICLE HAD BRAKE LINES REPLACE TWO TIMES WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES BECAUSE BREAKS STOP WORKING. FUEL LINE REPLACED UNDER 55,000 MILES BECAUSE IT MADE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC,OIL PRESSURE GAUGE HIGH AND LOW,FUEL GAUGE ERRATIC UNDER 65,000 MILES. LOUD NOISE FROM ENGINE SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAS BROKEN TO CALL A WHITE SMOKE FROM THE MOTOR. EVERYTHING HAPPENED WITH CONSIDER TO BE LOW MILEAGE IN TALKING TO GM THEY DON'T CARE BECAUSE ENOUGH REPORT HAS NOT BEEN MADE.

Engine
Filed Nov 30, 2016112,000 milesCA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2016176,395 milesMI

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2016107,900 milesAK

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 4, 2016185,000 milesMA

I LIVE IN SOUTH EAST MA. WERE SAULT IS USE ALWAYS AND IT HAS ROTTED MY BRAKE LINES AT THE ABS CONTROLL A LINE LET GO ON MY TRUCK WITH FAMILY AND MY GRAND BABIES I AM A HEAVY TRUCK OPERATOR WITH A CDL SO I KNOW NOT TO PANIC I GOT MY TRUCK STOPPED WITHOUT A CRASH BUT IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVEING OR MY YOUNG DAUGHTER THEY WOULDNT BE SO LUCKY WE IN THE SAULTING STATES SHOULD HAVE STANELESS STEAL FOR SAFTY CANT BE TO MUCH TO ASK FOR YOUNG LIFES AT STAKE OR PEOPLE WHO PANIC WHAT SHOULD I DO AT THE TIME I WAS IN THE CITY OF TAUNTON I WAS COMING TO A HEAVILY TRAVELED STREET IN RUSH HOUR TRAFIC THE BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES FALLED BECAUSE OF ROT ON INSPION I SEE THEY ARE ALL ROTTING AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED I DONT HAVE BODY ROT OR FRAME ROT OF ANY KIND ALWAYS CAR WASH AFTER STORMS ON NICE DAYS.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2015197,000 milesCA

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 24, 201560,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED CORROSION ON THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 9, 2015120,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A FIRE HYDRANT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2015MI

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 9, 2015NH

THE COMPLAINT IS THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND ARE MADE OF VERY POOR MATERIAL. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE DAY ON MARCH 10,2015.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2015102,098 milesPA

ON 2/1/2015, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 AM, I WAS STOPPING AT MY BROTHERS MAILBOX TO GET HIS MAIL WHILE HE WAS ON VACATION. WHEN I WENT TO STOP AT HIS MAILBOX, THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY TRUCK WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE ON THE PEDAL. I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND IT CAME TO A GRADUAL STOP OVER AN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE OF 20 TO 30 FEET (WHICH IS SLIGHTLY UPHILL). THERE WERE NO LIGHTS LIT ON THE DASH AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BETWEEN THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM LEVELS ON THE RESERVOIR, WHEN I EXAMINED IT AFTER THE OCCURRENCE. WE LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD WITHOUT MUCH TRAFFIC, SO I PLACED THE TRUCK IN LOW RANGE 4WD AND DROVE IT THE 1/2 MILE HOME. UPON RETURNING HOME THE TOP BRAKE LINE WHICH RUNS ALONG THE FRAME FROM THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE BLOCK BACK TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR OF THE TRUCK HAD RUPTURED. THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER NEVER WENT BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, SO I ATTEMPTED TO REFILL IT TO SEE IF I COULD GET ANY BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE BACK. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR STILL AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES WITH A FULL MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED WHERE IT IS ATTACHED AT A GREEN PLASTIC FACTORY HANGER. THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED/RUSTED WHERE IT HAD FAILED. IF I WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED AT MY BROTHERS MAILBOX, IT IS 1 MILE DOWN HILL ON AN APPROXIMATE 12 DEGREE GRADE TO THE MAIN ROAD. THE INTERSECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROAD IS A 90 DEGREE, T INTERSECTION IN A CREEK BOTTOM, WHERE I AM SUPPOSED TO STOP PRIOR TO ENTERING THE MAIN ROAD. WE HAD

20 of 143 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202610110Routine
202526100Routine
2024103400Routine
202332100Routine
202243320Routine
202151610Routine
202074930Routine
201932730Routine
201835520Routine
201737610Routine
201659500Routine
201589650Routine
201430210Routine
201346300Routine
201231301Fatalities reported
201163410Routine
201010500Routine
200931500Routine
200863300Routine
200783310Routine
200666330Routine
2005115460Routine
2004 — this page143441Fatalities reported
2003160340Routine
2002134411Fatalities reported
2001134520Routine
200048310Routine
199936211Fatalities reported
199815300Routine
199714400Routine
19941000Routine

Compare every Sierra 2500 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: Jun 6, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.