Most common 2004 GMC Sierra problems
Share of the 199 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Best Sierra years: 2020, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2004 GMC Sierra recalls (7)
Engine and engine cooling
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip May fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2006. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
Seat belts › Rear/other
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing May make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position.
Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2005.
Parking brake
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings May wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable…
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with Bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator May crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Certain extended and regular cab pickup trucks and cargo vans converted to compressed natural gas (cng) fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: To bring the standard cab and cargo van vehicles into compliance, dealers will inject epoxy into the air bag off switch to prevent air bag activation, relocate the switch behind the instrument panel and then install a…
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position May corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on April 7, 20004. The recall began on September 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through October 29, 2004.
Show 1 more recall
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Remedy: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or Hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
What 2004 GMC Sierra owners say
Brakes all 79 →
On December 28, 2014 I was driving my 2004 GMC pick-up truck and suffered total loss of brakes. This happened as I was approaching an intersection and I narrowly avoided an accident. There was no warning prior to the brake failure - no warning light was on, and no gradual decrease in braking ability. After the failure, I determined that there was a sudden and massive leak of brake fluid from a rusted brake line. Previously, in April of 2014 I had my pick-up truck serviced at an authorized GMC service center. At that time, the service ticket referenced condition of brakes to be in yellow requiring future attention. It was my understanding that the issue at that time was brake rotors would need to be replaced at the next service interval. There was no mention of any potential danger from brake line rusting/failure. …
Vehicle in front of me stopped suddenly. My brakes failed as my foot/pedal hit the floor. All I heard was buzzing. I hit the vehicle in front of me. Mechanic showed me the rusted out brake line that failed. Advised me that the ABS pump just plan emptied my mc to make up pressure loss. My complaint isn't so much the fact that my brake line rusted out as it is a 10 year old truck, (although stainless lines with steel connectors would be a huge improvement). But my complaint is that the ABS systems in these trucks, and maybe other vehicles are flawed. Back before ABS came out, if a line was damaged or failed for whatever reason the separated reservoirs in mc's would at least give you front or rear brakes to stop. That was the best single design improvement manufacturers made to brakes, and I've been driving when mc's only had one reservoir. …
Electrical system all 41 →
Rusted out/ corroded brake lines burst while stopping for a deer running out on the road. Was warned of this problem upon purchase of the vehicle in 2010 and personally coated all brake lines b4 winter every year...never saw worse lines! I own classic cars that are twice as old with shiney original brake lines. The fuel lines also rotted out spilling fuel over the top of the fuel tank and on the ground while filling up. All fuel lines and fuel pump connections were severely rotted. Worst I have seen. Dash consistently changes languages rendering odometer non functional. Speedometer is inaccurate some times not even working especially on cold days. Hmmmm rotted brakes+no speedometer+leaky fuel lines=crash,bang boom!..and I have a car seat in my vehicle! Luckly I perform preventative maintenance and drive safely. Still wonder how these issues got swept under the rug.
I had purchased my Sierra 1500 from chesrown dealership of delaware ohio. I had the truck for less than 60 days. I loved the truck very much but was very upset when an electrical fire started in under my hood. This happened the day after thanksgiving and since I had the factory stereo system I had no explanation for the start of the fire. It took the fire department a couple of minutes to get there and by that time the fire had spread from the engine throughout the wires down the firewall and into my trucks entirer. All that I could do was watch in horror as my truck was engulfed in flames from a far. I attempted to stop the fire from spreading inside and my hand was burnt. When the police used the the fire extinguisher from their cruiser it seemed to give it oxygen and spread it faster. I was devastated.
Transmission & drivetrain
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. 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. …
I purchased my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4. I put it in 4 wheel drive to go through some ice and it made a very loud clank. Not long after that when I put it in reverse or drive it also made the same loud clank. It did not sound like that when I first bought the truck. Now the truck has trouble going into 4 wheel drive and also gets hung in reverse. It has almost caused me to get in a bad accident. My cruise control also has have 6 malfunctions. I had the dealer fix it initially. I have fixed it subsequently due to the fact they said it was a blown fuse. The 4 wheel drive and transmission problems were addressed 3 times and all the dealers said nothing was wrong. An independent mechanic said there is a defect with my transmission and transfer case. That is it with the truck. Now just last Thursday feb 3, my Bridgestone tire separated. My tire dealer said the tire was defective. …
2004 GMC Sierra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl hybrid | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl hybrid | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 17 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 GMC Sierra a good car?
Based on 199 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Sierra rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra at the same age. It is one of the Sierra years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 GMC Sierra?
The brakes — 79 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the electrical system (41) and transmission & drivetrain (19).
How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Sierra have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2004 GMC Sierra, the most recent from August 3, 2006 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full GMC Sierra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Sierra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 51% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.