NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Sierra. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING ON 2004 GMC SIERRA. *MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED SOME SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND NOISES. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE TAKEN OUT. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOT SOLD UNTIL REPAIRED. RECALL# 04019. *SC *JB
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 TRUCK. WE MADE IT TO BISHOP CALIFORNIA DEALER WHO TESTED IT FOR LEAN FUEL VALUES BUT NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES SIMILAR AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMPS SEEM TO BE OVER HEATING OR ACTING UP IN HIGHER ALTITUDES. PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR 10 DAYS. WE DROVE TO RENO IN AN EFFORT TO GET IT FIXED AT SHOP UP THERE-PART WAS THOUGHT TO BE AVAILABLE PER DEALERSHIP IN RENO BUT WAS NOT-THE DEALERSHIP WAS WRONG. MADE THE TRIP BACK HOME (LAS VEGAS) WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. DROVE IN THE NIGHT WHEN IT WAS COOLER AND KEPT FUEL TANK FILLED. LAS VEGAS DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THERE IS NO FURTHER FAILURE. I AM A PARAPELIGIC AND THINK THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT A NEW VEHICLE TO BE RELIABLE. I WAS ALSO ASTONISHED THAT ON STAR WAS UNUSEFUL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT SO IT WOULD HAVE DONE ME NO BETTER THAN A CELL PHONE AT THIS POINT. WE DRIVE THE TRUCK ONLY SHORT DISTANCES IN VEGAS AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY FURTHER ISSUES 3 WEEKS LATER. AFRAID TO RELY ON IT TO GO OUT OF TOWN THOUGH.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 4 TIMES, SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE IN ROUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK *NM
1ST BROKEN FLYWHEEL REPLACED; NOW 05/31/05 BACK IN FOR 2ND FLY WHEEL REPLACEMENT.
OUR SON-IN-LAW OWNS A 2004 GMC 4-DOOR PICKUP. IT HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. OUR TWO-YEAR OLD GRANDSON WAS IN THE TRUCK WHILE HIS FATHER WAS CLEANING IT. THE KEY WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION SO THEY COULD LISTEN TO THE RADIO. THE CHILD PULLED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK AND THE TRUCK RAN AWAY DOWN AN INCLINE. BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE BY A TREE AND THE TRUCK CONTINUED UNTIL REAR-ENDING ANOTHER TREE. THE CHILD STAYED IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNHURT.*AK IN CHECKING THIS TRUCK, OUR 2003 TAHOE, AND OUR 2003 CHEVROLET PICKUP WE FIND THAT ALL OF THEM: 1. THE SHIFT LEVER IS LOCKED WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION 2. THE SHIFT LEVER IS LOCKED WHEN IN THE "RUN" OR IGNITION POSITION AND REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE DEPRESSED PRIOR TO SHIFTING. 3. BUT IN THE "ACCESSORY" POSITION THE SHIFT IS COMPLETELY UNLOCKED AND REQUIRES ONLY A VERY SLIGHT PRESSURE TO MOVE IT OUT OF PARK AND RESULT IN A RUNAWAY. I FEEL THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE SHIFT LEVER NOT TO BE LOCKED IN ALL POSITIONS AND, IN FACT, THE FACT IT IS LOCKED IN TWO POSITIONS BUT NOT THE ACCESSORY POSITION RESULTS IN CONFUSION AND A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THIS WAS NOT A COMPONENT FAILURE, BUT IS A DESIGN FAILURE THAT APPARENTLY INVOLVES ALL GM TRUCKS AND SUVS OF THIS MODEL.
#1 04 SIERRA 4X4 RETURNED TO DEALER AFTER 2 WEEKS (9/18/04) WITH 1523 MILES FOR HARD SHIFTING. CLUTCH WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY FROM FACTORY. ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE POINT IN CLUTCH PEDAL TRAVEL IS AT FULL DEPRESSION INTO THE FIREWALL. #2 PASSENGER DOOR HARD TO CLOSE FULLY. DRIVER SIDE DOOR CLOSES AS EXPECTED WITH LITTLE EFFORT. PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY WITHOUT UNDUE FORCE BEING APPLIED OR A WINDOW CRACKED. #3 RETURNED TRUCK TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP ON 9/15/05 WITH 8,190 AND AGAIN 12/15/05 WITH 10,282 MILES. FOR A KNOCKING NOISE DURING TURNING, CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING CORRECTLY, PASSENGER DOOR NOT CLOSING COMPLETELY, AND A NEW RATTLING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH A WHINE NOISE FROM THE GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE KNOCKING NOISE FROM A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING A STEERING BUSHING. THIS DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CLUTCH OR THE TRANSMISSION OR THE PASSENGER DOOR. NONE OF THE PROBLEMS WERE FIXED #5 I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE TRUCK TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AFTER PICKING IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR A 3RD OPINION ON 12/20/05 WITH 10,284 MILES. HIS OPINION WAS FLATLY STATED THAT THE TRUCK HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH AND THE TRANSMISSION. HIS EVALUATION WAS THE CLUTCH WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY AND DEPRESSION INTO THE FIREWALL WAS NOT CORRECT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS SYNCHRONIZER AND POSSIBLE BUSHINGS AND BEARINGS THAT WERE FAILING. HE STATED THE NOISES ALONE WERE DEFINITE INDICATORS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS AND THAT ANYONE WOULD KNOW THAT A CLUTCH IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE DEPRESSED INTO THE FIREWALL FOR PROPER OPERATION WHICH IN TIME WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. THIS EVALUATION COST ME $30 AND 3 HOUR LOST FROM WORK. *JB
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE 7-8 ISSUES, ONE SELLING POINT WAS THE ONSATR CELLULAR SERVICE, NEVER WORKED, ETC. ETC. ETC. THE SALIENT MATTER AT THIS TIME IS THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN ORGINALLY EXHIBITED A CLINCKING SOUND SHIFTING FROM 2ND-3RD AND FROM 3RD-2ND, THE NOISE WAS SPORADIC AND WENT FROM A CLINCKING TO A DECIRNABLE CLUNK ALL THE TIME, THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE REPAIRS AND NOW STATES THE MATTER IS A CONCERN BUT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM, THE OEM, GMC, HAS STATES THAT THER IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND I AM RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS, I CAN NOT SELL IT AS IS. *JB
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TRIED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS DISTURBED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD SELL A VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING INSPECTED. *AK *SC *JB
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN DIFFICULTIES DEALING WITH GM REGARDING A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS IN HIS 2004 GMC K2500 PICKUP TRUCK. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. AFTER 45 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC FOUND LOOSE PINS ON THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS AT C107 AND C108. THE MECHANIC STATED HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE STALLING, BUT THEY WERE LOOSE. SINCE, THE FIRST FAILURE, THERE HAVE BEEN 10 MORE FAILURES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT HAS BEEN SINCE JULY 2, 2009 WITHOUT A SPECIFIC CAUSE BEING FOUND.*JB
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2004 GMC SIERRA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAD NO STOPPING POWER. THE CONSUMER INFORMED GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM A YEAR AGO AND THEY HAVE WORKED ON THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO FIX THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. TODAY THE CONSUMER WAS WAITING ON GM TO GET BACK IN CONTACT WITH HIS DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK AND THEY STILL HAD NOT HEARD FROM GM. THE HOLD UP ON THE CONSUMER GETTING THE BRAKES FIXED WAS GM DOING THE WORK UNDER WARRANTY. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR IN THE BRAKING POWER.*AK *MR THE CONSUMER STATED GM DID CONTACTED HIM AND THEY DECIDED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING MORE TO FIX THE BRAKE PROBLEM. *JB
CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BLIND SPOT WHEN IT WAS IN REVERSE. PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR HAD TROUBLE TELESCOPING TO THE BACK.*AK
THE WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING WATER DOWN INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE WIRING IS SHORTING OUT. ALSO, THE LINKAGE HAS FALLEN OUT. YOU CAN SMELL BURNT WIRING AND SMOKE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER CONTINUOUSLY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE GENTLEMAN WAS NOT THERE THAT SHE NEEDED TO SEE. CONSUMER HAD SOMEONE ELSE LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. AND WAS TOLD THE VIBRATION FROM DRIVING HAD JARRED THE THE PIN LOOSE. THE BLOWER, HEAT, AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK
2004 GMC SIERRA POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. *AK
I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 GMC IN FEBUARY 04 AND IT KEEPS WEARING THE FRONT TIRES TO EXCESS AND THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT'S NORMAL FOR A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,,BULL THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE DUELER 265/R70/17 ANDTHE TRUCK. *AK IS A 1500 GMC SERRIA , I MAINTAIN MY EQUIPMENT AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE FOR PROBLEMS AND I CAN SEE SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT WITH TIRE FAILURE AND ACCIDENTS, I HAVE LOOK AT THE SAME MOLDEL AND THEY TOO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FRONT TIRE WEAR.
THE CENTER HUB OF THE WHEELS CONSTANTLY FALLS OFF. THE PLASTIC SCREWS THAT HOLD THE HUB ON THE WHEEL ARE NOT SECURING THE HUB PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER HAS LOST SIX OF THESE HUBS SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. *JB THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCK WHEN PUT INTO 4LOW AND SHIFTING INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL FROM REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AND THE CONSUMER COULD FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM
2004 GMC SIERRA Z71 OFF ROAD VEHICLE BRAKES. (NAR) *MR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS NOT COMMENSURATE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TOWARDS THE FLOORBOARD TO WITHIN ONE HALF INCH. THE CONSUMER REQUEST A DETAILED RESPONSE EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR THE TRUCK'S BRAKE PEDAL OVER TRAVEL AND "MUSHY" BRAKE PEDAL. *NM *CB
2004 GMC 2500HD DURAMAX - PURCHASED MARCH 2004. SEVERE, ABRUPT 'CLACKING/CHATTER' COUPLED WITH BRIEF, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND BILLOWS OF SMOKE. HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES: 3/28 1660 MILES @ 67MPH, 5/5 2167 MILES @ 70 MPH, 5/8 2316 MILES @ 60-65 MPH, 5/8 2325 MILES @ 60-65 MPH.*AK
I OWN A 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP WITH 6,700 MILES. I AM EXPERIENCEING A IMTERMINTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LIGHTS. WHEN I ACTIVATE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL THE HAZARD LIGHTS BEGIN TO FLASH. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, AFTER WAITING TWO MONTHS FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR AT A TIME I WAS NEAR THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH AND TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH GMC DIRECTLY AND THE DEALERSHIP TO SEEK RESOLUTION BUT AM BEING TOLD THAT UNLESS THEY CAN SEE THE PROBLEM HAPPENING THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. IF I AM ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE SIGNALS ARE NOT OPERATING AS THEY SHOULD I COULD END UP IN A COLLISION WITH ON COMING OR APPROACHING FROM THE REAR TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND REPAIRED. PLEASE HELP.*AK
ON MY 2003 GMC TRUCK THE RIGHT REAR FENDER BROKE AT THE BOTTOM WHERE THE BOLT SCREW INTO THE SUPPORT, BUT ABOVE A 1 1/2" TO 2" ABOVE BOLT. THE DEALER AND GM REP. SAID SOMETHING HIT THE FENDER.ON THE BOLT HAVE A CHIP ABOUT 1/8" AND NO DAMAGE TO THE FENDER WHERE SOMETHING BROKE IT. *AK
THE FIRST CAP FELL OFF THE TRUCK WITH ONLY 405 MILES, THE OTHERS FELL OFF SOON AFTER. *NM ALL CAPS WERE REPLACED AND SOON FELL OFF AS WELL. ONE CAP FLEW IN FRONT OF AN ON COMING VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. *TC THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHROME ON THE RIMS WERE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GET THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE RIMS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. *JB
THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD 6 INCHES WHEN STARTED. *AK THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE PROBLEM ALSO COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *SC *JB
VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD UPON START WHILE THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. *MR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *SC *JB
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)*AK
THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL A RELAY SWITCH BECAUSE OF A WIRING CHANGE FROM THE 2000 MODELS. THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM CAME ON SEPARATELY. WHEN IT SNOWED AND THE HIGH BEAM WAS ON, SNOW BUILD UP ON THE LOW BEAM. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT CREATED A LAYER OF SNOW, AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE BACK TO LOW BEAM. *AK THE MECHANICS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AND INCOMPATIBILITY'S OF THE PREVIOUSLY USED RELAY. GMC WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT EXCESS PRESSURE BEING APPLIED. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS 15 MPH. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. ALSO, INTERMITTNET SLIPPING OF TRANSMISSION WHEN STARTING TO MOVE FROM A FULL STOP. VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE IT BEGINS TO MOVE. THIS OCCURED WITHIN THE 1ST 500 MILES AND CONTINES TO OCCUR TODAY.
THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND REPRESENTED AS SUCH. UPON DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE BED WAS 2 CROOKED ON THE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO LEACHMAN MOTORS WHO IN TURN STATING IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY BENDING THE FRAME. THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. GM BLAMES LEACHMAN - LEACHMAN BLAMES GM AND WE HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO LEACHMAN BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE TRUCK PAYMENTS OF $452. SO AS NOT TO RUIN OUR CREDIT. NOW WE HAVE NO TRUCK AND NO-ONE IS HELPING US!! THIS TRUCK WAS SOLD AS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. FOR $34,000. WE SHOULD HAVE A PERFECT TRUCK - NOT ONE WITH A BENT FRAME AND CROOKED BED!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 61,000.
2004 GMC SIERRA WITH WORN STEERING SHAFT. CONSUMER STATES THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY GMC BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *KB
2004 GMC 2500 INSTRUMENT PANEL DEFECT CONCERNING GAUGES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GAUGES STICK AND THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT A LETTER STATING THIS PROBLEM AND A SOLUTION AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 70, 000 MILES OR 7 YEARS OLD. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE RESTRICTION ON THE TIME/MILEAGE WAS UNREASONABLE FOR ANY PERSON WHO LIVES IN RURAL AMERICA. THE CONSUMER STATED PEOPLE DRIVE AN AVERAGE OF 15,000-20,000 MILES PER YEAR.*JB
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SHAFT SECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK