WHEELS:HUB
2004 GMC Sierra 1500
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 212 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and steering categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 197 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 122 |
| Mar 2011 | 2 | 124 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 125 |
| Jul 2011 | 4 | 129 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 130 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 131 |
| Feb 2012 | 1 | 132 |
| Mar 2012 | 2 | 134 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 135 |
| Aug 2012 | 5 | 140 |
| Sep 2012 | 2 | 142 |
| Jan 2013 | 1 | 143 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 144 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 145 |
| Jul 2013 | 3 | 148 |
| Aug 2013 | 3 | 151 |
| Sep 2013 | 2 | 153 |
| Oct 2013 | 2 | 155 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 156 |
| Jan 2014 | 2 | 158 |
| Feb 2014 | 2 | 160 |
| Apr 2014 | 4 | 164 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 165 |
| Jun 2014 | 3 | 168 |
| Jul 2014 | 3 | 171 |
| Aug 2014 | 2 | 173 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 175 |
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 177 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 179 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 180 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 181 |
| Jul 2015 | 2 | 183 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 184 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 185 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 186 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 187 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 188 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 189 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 190 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 191 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 192 |
| May 2017 | 2 | 194 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 195 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 196 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 197 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 198 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 199 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 200 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 201 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 202 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 203 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 204 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 205 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 206 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 207 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 208 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 209 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 210 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 211 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 212 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical8233.1%
- Brakes6727.0%
- Steering218.5%
- Driver assistance135.2%
- Engine135.2%
- Fuel system93.6%
- Airbags83.2%
- Tires & wheels72.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
the person i bought the vehicle from switched out the gauge cluster and lied about the vechiles mileage
- NHTSA ID
- 11659049
- Incident
- May 5, 2025
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11520202
- Incident
- Apr 14, 2023
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
When to start truck and air bag in steering wheel exploded.
- NHTSA ID
- 11436133
- Incident
- Sep 25, 2019
Went to start truck and the air bag in the steering wheel exploded.
- NHTSA ID
- 11433868
- Incident
- Apr 16, 2020
WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITION THE LEFT SIDE BLOW OUT HOT HEAT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11331042
- Incident
- Jun 11, 2010
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11326061
- Incident
- May 23, 2020
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11244192
- Incident
- Aug 15, 2019
- Mileage
- 102,000 mi
DASHBOARD SAYS 'SERVICE AIRBAGS'
- NHTSA ID
- 11233483
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2019
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
ENGINE
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ENGINE
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74 | 2 | 0 | 51.7 |
| 2025 | 93 | 1 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2024 | 326 | 1 | 3 | 56.2 |
| 2023 | 428 | 3 | 3 | 63.0 |
| 2022 | 545 | 6 | 3 | 65.8 |
| 2021 | 533 | 7 | 4 | 68.5 |
| 2020 | 443 | 12 | 3 | 69.7 |
| 2019 | 619 | 10 | 2 | 68.5 |
| 2018 | 296 | 7 | 0 | 55.5 |
| 2017 | 351 | 5 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2016 | 340 | 7 | 1 | 59.1 |
| 2015 | 713 | 9 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2014 | 737 | 9 | 2 | 57.8 |
| 2013 | 115 | 3 | 2 | 54.3 |
| 2012 | 107 | 3 | 2 | 55.7 |
| 2011 | 284 | 5 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2010 | 167 | 4 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2009 | 234 | 4 | 2 | 55.9 |
| 2008 | 379 | 2 | 3 | 57.7 |
| 2007 | 261 | 3 | 3 | 56.4 |
| 2006 | 144 | 2 | 0 | 47.5 |
| 2005 | 177 | 3 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2004Viewing | 212 | 5 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2003 | 180 | 4 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 2002 | 166 | 4 | 2 | 61.9 |
| 2001 | 140 | 5 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2000 | 181 | 3 | 2 | 58.8 |
| 1999 | 158 | 4 | 2 | 57.2 |
| 1998 | 59 | 4 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 1997 | 83 | 5 | 0 | 43.4 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 29.4 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.