RoadVitals

2004 GMC Sierra 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
212
Latest May 5, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Dec 17, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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.gov

WHEELS:HUB

Dec 17, 2007
130,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Jun 6, 2006
6,800 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The 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.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed May 5, 2025

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
Airbags
Filed May 3, 2023
1 injury reported

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
Airbags
Filed Oct 9, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11436133
Incident
Sep 25, 2019
Airbags
Filed Sep 21, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11433868
Incident
Apr 16, 2020
Driver assistanceVisibility
Filed Jun 26, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11331042
Incident
Jun 11, 2010
BrakesFuel system
Filed May 26, 2020

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
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Aug 15, 2019

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
Airbags
Filed Jul 19, 2019

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.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

PIP5358D

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.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIP4723J

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.

03-06-01-023H

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

GMC Sierra 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026742051.7
2025931048.2
20243261356.2
20234283363.0
20225456365.8
20215337468.5
202044312369.7
201961910268.5
20182967055.5
20173515056.4
20163407159.1
20157139259.5
20147379257.8
20131153254.3
20121073255.7
20112845255.6
20101674255.6
20092344255.9
20083792357.7
20072613356.4
20061442047.5
20051773048.2
2004Viewing2125047.9
20031804052.3
20021664261.9
20011405259.5
20001813258.8
19991584257.2
1998594053.3
1997835043.4
1996500
1995300
1994130029.4

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.