RoadVitals

2004 GMC Sierra 2500

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.
143
Latest Nov 30, 2021
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.
4
Latest Jun 6, 2006
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.
8
5 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 143 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 GMC Sierra 2500, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 310 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
06E050000

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
06E043000

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
06E010000

STEERING

Feb 1, 2006
1,360 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
The risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.
FABTECH MOTORSPORTSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 143
Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2021

Brakes lines failed under truck do to rusted out lines

NHTSA ID
11442070
Incident
Nov 27, 2021
Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 2021

EMERGENCY BRAKES DON'T ENGAGE

NHTSA ID
11408360
Incident
Jan 11, 2021
BrakesSteering
Filed Jan 4, 2020

DURING COLD MORNINGS (WISCONSIN) I START MY TRUCK AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND SOFT BRAKES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE POWER STEERING RUNS THE BRAKE BOOST. ALSO, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SAYS THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH LOW/COLD TEMP FLUID. MY CONCERN IS WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11297098
Incident
Dec 23, 2019
Mileage
158,500 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2018

WHILE DRIVING OVER 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I GET A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BAKE AND FORTH. THE ENGINE SOUND VERY LOUD WHILE ITS DOING THIS. IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN I AM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
11157104
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
49,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 27, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY GWATNEY BUICK GMC (5700 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117) FOR THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN AN UNKNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11154344
Incident
Nov 27, 2018
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2018

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN

NHTSA ID
11142993
Incident
Aug 28, 2018
Mileage
105,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 29, 2018

PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, LOST BRAKES. STEEL BRAKE LINES BY FUEL TANK, LET GO CAUSING TRUCK TO LOOSE BRAKES

NHTSA ID
11082095
Incident
Mar 29, 2018
Mileage
63,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 23, 2017

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GAUGES DON'T ALWAYS WORK. WE WERE ON FREEWAY WHEN WE NOTICED SPEEDOMETER HAD FAILED AS WELL AS FUEL GAUGE , TEMP GAUGE ALL GAUGES INOPERATIVE. THIS IS THIRD TIME CLUSTER PANEL IS BEING REPLACED; FIRST TWO UNDER WARRANTY THIRD TIME WE HAD TO PAY $204.

NHTSA ID
11025209
Incident
Sep 9, 2017
Mileage
111,000 mi

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.

PIT5851F

This Preliminary information communicates an issues with the odometer being incorrect after a programming event and how the dealership can resolve the issue.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

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

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

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

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

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 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026910—
2025250044.7
2024983052.8
2023311048.9
2022423056.1
2021516163.7
2020739160.0
2019327060.9
2018355048.5
2017376053.2
2016595046.7
2015896161.0
2014302150.9
2013463146.7
2012303150.1
2011634151.1
2010105144.9
2009315149.0
2008633358.1
2007833357.3
2006663050.1
20051154050.5
2004Viewing1434047.4
20031603048.7
20021344359.3
20011345259.5
2000483158.7
1999362050.8
1998153041.2
1997144047.5
1996000—
1995000—
1994100—

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.