RoadVitals

2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
82
Latest Aug 15, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
39%
of 212 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 82 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 82, in the owner's own words

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
Electrical
Filed Sep 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES FLASHED OFF AND ON AND, AT TIMES, COMPLETELY STOPPED OPERATING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID
11128725
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
97,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 13, 2018

MY TRUCK IS MY BACK-UP VEHICLE THAT SITS IN THE SIDE DRIVEWAY MOST OF THE TIME BUT I DRIVE WHEN I'M TRANSPORTING LARGE ITEMS OR MOVING TO A NEW HOME. I RECENTLY DROVE IT AND NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING AND WENT SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT RELATED ISSUES ON THE INTERNET WHEN I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE POSTED ON GMC'S WEBSITE BUT THEY ARE SAYING IT'S PAST THE "TIME" ALLOWED TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR A TIME FRAME TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE I DON'T DRIVE THIS TRUCK MUCH. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEALERSHIP'S INSPECTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT IT'S INDEED BROKE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE RECALL. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT I'M HOPPING MAD BECAUSE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OTHER GMC OWNERS PROBABLY HAD REPAIRED BUT BECAUSE THIS WAS MY BACK-UP VEHICLE, I'M PENALIZED FOR NOT HAVING THE PROBLEM SURFACE EARLIER BEFORE THE "TIME" FRAME EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP I CURRENTLY HAVE MY TRUCK AT IS SHELDON GMC IN ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307 I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] CALL OR TEXT. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ID
11111248
Incident
Jul 13, 2018
Mileage
52,608 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 1, 2017

BATTERY RUNS DOWN DRAINED, CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS GOES OUT. AC QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE SITS IN OUR YARD MOST OF THE TIME. WE HAVE TO CHARGE BATTERY EVERY DAY IN ORDER TO GO ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ID
11012191
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
82,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 20, 2017

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE ETC, DO NOT WORK AT RANDOM TIMES. (WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, OR NOT) THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ALSO DIM, FLICKER, AND SOMETIMES GO OUT COMPLETELY. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE, (USED AS A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, NOT PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION) IT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ID
10990731
Incident
Aug 4, 2008
Mileage
6,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE OR DISPLAY A SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ID
10822336
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
31,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 17, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID
10734841
Incident
Mar 15, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,892.

NHTSA ID
10652740
Incident
Nov 4, 2014
Mileage
38,892 mi
BrakesElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID
10641747
Incident
May 13, 2013
Mileage
104,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 5, 2014

I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE STARTING MY 2004 GMC, SOMETIME WHEN I TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD DO NOTHING, I HAD IT TOWED IN AND SPENT OVER $500 TO REPAIR IT, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY ETC, AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT IT BACK, AND IT DID IT AGAIN, I FOUND THAT IF I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN WITH THE LEVER, IT WOULD THEN START. YESTERDAY I WENT OUT TO START MY TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT FEELS LIKE THE IGNITION CAME APART OR SOMETHING INSIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE TOWED IN AGAIN AND PAY TO REPAIR THE IGNITION, WHEN GM HAS BEEN HAVING HUGE PROBLEMS WITH IGNITIONS! I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE TO INCLUDE A FIRE UNDER THE DASH. MY INSURANCE COVERED IT BECAUSE A FUSE MELTED AND DID NOT DO IT'S JOB, HOWEVER NOW MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS WHICH I WILL NOT DO. I USE MY GPS TO TRACK MY SPEED! THE REAR TRANSFER CASE WENT ON IT, AND I SPENT $1,800 TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SMALL THINGS, BUT THOSE ARE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS. I AM LIKE EVERY OTHER AVERAGE PERSON. I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO GET GM TO FIX THEM, SO I JUST PAID MYSELF! WHEN I WAS RESEARCHING HOW TO REPLACE THE IGNITION, I CAME ACROSS YOUR SITE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS OR HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. I NEED MY TRUCK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO I WILL PROBABLY GET STUCK PAYING AGAIN! THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10608276
Incident
Jul 4, 2014
Mileage
231,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 21, 2014

GAUGES WORK SOME TIMES AND DON'T,LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON THE DASH WHEN THEY DO THIS AT NIGHT IT'S HARD TO SEE WHAT SPEED YOUR DOING OUR HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THE TRUCKS MY NEIGHBORS TRUCK IS DOING THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593022
Incident
Mar 4, 2014
Mileage
69,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH VARIOUS TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA

NHTSA ID
10577899
Incident
Apr 17, 2013
Mileage
62,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 23, 2014

THE GAUGES BEGAN TO SPIN AND NOT WORK PROPERLY OR NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE GAUGES AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH OR REMAIN ON. THE ABS LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT AND THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ALL COME ON. ALSO ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENS THE HEADLIGHTS DIM THE FOURWHEEL DRIVE DOESN'T FUNCTION AND THE VOLUME LEVEL ON THE STEREO CHANGES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10565483
Incident
Jun 21, 2013
Electrical
Filed Feb 4, 2014

ALL OF THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT GAUGES GO INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW. THERE HAS BEEN A GM ACTION OF SORT ON THIS, OF WHICH I AM NOT SURE. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND CURRENTLY AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE MAINTENANCE ACTION(WHATEVER IT IS) EXPIRED IN 2011. SO THE REPAIR IS TOTALLY UPON US TO FIX, SOME $540. *TR

NHTSA ID
10562810
Incident
Jan 22, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 10, 2012

WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP FOR ATLEAST 20 MINUTES. ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, AND WHEN IT DOES START WORKING IT IS NEVER THE CORRECT READING. IT WILL STICK AS HIGH AS 70 MPH, AND TO BRING IT DOWN I HAVE TO KEEP RESTARTING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10447350
Incident
Feb 1, 2012
Mileage
173,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 29, 2011

SPEEDOMETER FLUTTERS AND NOW GIVES ERRONEOUS READING, GAS GAUGE GIVES FALSE READINGS. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER AND A LETTER WAS SENT BY GMC. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER AND NOW MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS FAILING. AND NOW AM PAST MILEAGE/YEARS TO FIX, BECAUSE I NEVER GOT THE ORIGINAL LETTER AND NEVER NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10416306
Incident
Jul 27, 2011
Mileage
97,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 18, 2011

I HEAR A TAPPING OF THE VALVES WHEN THE CAR IS ON. ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP REGISTERING HOW FAST I AM GOING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10396616
Incident
Nov 1, 2010
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2011

I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, SPEEDOMETER NOT READING PROPERLY, TEMP GAUGE WRONG READINGS. THE DEALERS WANT $750.00 TO REPAIR IF THE VEHICLE IS OVER 75,000 MILES. THEY HAVE SAID THEY SENT RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING OF THE SORT. FOR A VEHICLE I PAID 32, 000 FOR I FIND THIS TO BE UNSAT. GMC NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE FOR THERE CUSTOMERS, I WOULD EXPECT THIS TREATMENT FROM A FORD DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10392195
Incident
Jan 12, 2011
Heating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Feb 21, 2011

IN MY 2004 GMC SIERRA THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE A/C DOWN NEAR THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD SMOKES AND I SMELL BURNING PLASTIC AND MY A/C DOESN'T WORK AND I TALKED TO A FEW OTHER GMC AND CHEVY OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SO IF ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I THINK ITS SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO... *TR

NHTSA ID
10383486
Incident
Jan 10, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 29, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA K1500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED AND THEN IT REMAINED AT THE SAME SPEED REGARDLESS OF HOW FAST OR SLOW HE WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ID
10373251
Incident
Dec 20, 2010
Mileage
117,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 10, 2010

ON MY 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500 NOV 10, 2010 THE SPEEDOMETER JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE BACKING OUT THE YARD IT JUMPED UP TO 70MPH AND NOW THIS HAPPENED AND THE RPM METER IS STUCK AT 0 ALSO COULD THIS BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY WIFE USE THIS VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365270
Incident
Nov 10, 2010
Mileage
80,647 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 20, 2010

KNOCKING IN THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY BEGAN AT 20,000 MILES. STEERING SHAFT HAS TO BE GREASED BY SERVICE CENTER EVERY 10K MILES TO PREVENT KNOCKING. SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. SPEEDOMETER USED TO REGISTER MAX MPH WHEN DOING 70MPH THEN STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361348
Incident
Jun 20, 2007
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 22, 2010

I HAVE A 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP AND THE SPEEDOMETER BROKE ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE BY THE COMPANY THAT WONT COST ME OVER 400 DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10351193
Incident
Apr 15, 2010
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 2010

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM STATING MY VEHICLES INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MAY GIVE FALSE READINGS. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS DOING THIS, TAKE THIS LETTER TO YOUR GM DEALER AND THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM IF IT'S NOT THEN YOU DON'T NEED TO. IT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THIS IS 70,000 MILES AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CLUSTER IF IT WAS NOT GIVING FALSE READINGS. AT 93,721 MY FUEL GAUGE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING, AND AT 94,066 MILES MY SPEEDOMETER READING WAS OVER 120MPH, AND I WAS NOT EVEN MOVING. NOW WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE OR NEIGHBORHOOD I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I'M GOING. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THESE PROBLEMS STARTED HAPPENING. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET IT FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT COVER THE PARTS. SO MUCH FOR GMC PROFESSIONAL GRADE. THE LOGO THEY USE WHEN SELLING THERE VEHICLES ON TV. I HAVE SAVED PICTURES ON MY CELL PHONE SHOWING THE ACTUAL MILEAGE WHEN THESE FALSE READINGS OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10339522
Incident
Jan 12, 2010
Mileage
93,721 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 6, 2009

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THAT I WAS GOING FASTER THAN THE SPEEDOMETER SAID. FELT LIKE I WAS GOING AT LEAST 80 WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER SAID 45 MPH. KEPT WATCHING AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP THE METER WOULD READ BELOW ZERO. TRIED RESTARTING THE TRUCK AND IT RESET TO ZERO BUT WHILE HOLDING A SET SPEED THE METER WOULD CONTINUOUSLY DROP. NEXT DAY WORKED FINE. 2 DAYS LATER I NOTICED THE METER DROP OFF AGAIN. WHEN I SHUT THE TRUCK OFF THIS TIME IT GOT STUCK AT 30MPH. DROVE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND TRIED SHUTTING IT OFF AND STARTING IT AGAIN THIS TIME IT STAYED AT ZERO. IT TOLD THE WIFE NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT IS FIXED. I DON'T WANT HER IN THERE WITH MY CHILD IF THERE WAS A WRECK DUE TO NOT KNOWING WHAT SPEED THE TRUCK IS REALLY GOING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294626
Incident
Dec 5, 2009
Mileage
76,000 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .