RoadVitals

2004 GMC Sierra 2500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 22, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 143 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 GMC Sierra 2500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 143 · page 1 of 6

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
Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2017

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-75 HIGHWAY ABOUT 70 MPH, IN MOTION, IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND HAD TO STOP FAST WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED/MASHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY TO FEEL IT FALL TO THE FLOOR, THE METAL HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED AND I NOW HAVE NO BRAKES AT ALL!! I BEGAN TO PRESS ON THE PARKING BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO ASSIST IN THE SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE. I ALSO STEERED AROUND THE STOPPED CARS INTO THE SIDE AND DITCH OF THE ROAD. I LUCKILY HAD THE RIGHT REACTIONS BUT NOT ALL PEOPLE DO OR CANNOT ACT AS FAST. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS GMC SIERRA 2004. PLEASE HAVE IT RECALLED. I HAD TO HAVE THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACE ALL THE METAL BRAKE LINES AS THEY WERE CORRODED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE FAIL ITS BRAKE LINES LIKE THIS. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT SUPER CLEAN.

NHTSA ID
11018937
Incident
Aug 7, 2016
Mileage
48,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 10, 2017

MY VEHICLE HAD BRAKE LINES REPLACE TWO TIMES WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES BECAUSE BREAKS STOP WORKING. FUEL LINE REPLACED UNDER 55,000 MILES BECAUSE IT MADE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC,OIL PRESSURE GAUGE HIGH AND LOW,FUEL GAUGE ERRATIC UNDER 65,000 MILES. LOUD NOISE FROM ENGINE SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAS BROKEN TO CALL A WHITE SMOKE FROM THE MOTOR. EVERYTHING HAPPENED WITH CONSIDER TO BE LOW MILEAGE IN TALKING TO GM THEY DON'T CARE BECAUSE ENOUGH REPORT HAS NOT BEEN MADE.

NHTSA ID
10953952
Incident
Jun 6, 2007
Mileage
45,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MASSIVE OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE DEFECTIVE, WHICH FILLED THE CRANKCASE FULL OF FUEL AND WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED PER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY; HOWEVER, IT FELL OUTSIDE OF THE PARAMETERS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID
10928882
Incident
Nov 26, 2016
Mileage
112,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,395.

NHTSA ID
10850446
Incident
Mar 16, 2016
Mileage
176,395 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Mar 16, 2016

IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS THE FUEL LINES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS THEY HAD RUSTED SO BADLY THAT A LEAK FORMED. YESTERDAY WHILE PULLING MY 10,000 POUND BOAT, MY BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED BECAUSE OF A LEAK IN THE LINE BETWEEN THE ABS BOX AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND BOAT. I WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT AND USE BY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE RIG TO A STOP.

NHTSA ID
10850103
Incident
Mar 16, 2016
Mileage
107,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 4, 2016

I LIVE IN SOUTH EAST MA. WERE SAULT IS USE ALWAYS AND IT HAS ROTTED MY BRAKE LINES AT THE ABS CONTROLL A LINE LET GO ON MY TRUCK WITH FAMILY AND MY GRAND BABIES I AM A HEAVY TRUCK OPERATOR WITH A CDL SO I KNOW NOT TO PANIC I GOT MY TRUCK STOPPED WITHOUT A CRASH BUT IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVEING OR MY YOUNG DAUGHTER THEY WOULDNT BE SO LUCKY WE IN THE SAULTING STATES SHOULD HAVE STANELESS STEAL FOR SAFTY CANT BE TO MUCH TO ASK FOR YOUNG LIFES AT STAKE OR PEOPLE WHO PANIC WHAT SHOULD I DO AT THE TIME I WAS IN THE CITY OF TAUNTON I WAS COMING TO A HEAVILY TRAVELED STREET IN RUSH HOUR TRAFIC THE BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES FALLED BECAUSE OF ROT ON INSPION I SEE THEY ARE ALL ROTTING AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED I DONT HAVE BODY ROT OR FRAME ROT OF ANY KIND ALWAYS CAR WASH AFTER STORMS ON NICE DAYS.

NHTSA ID
10839852
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
185,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ID
10746973
Incident
Jul 24, 2015
Mileage
197,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 24, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED CORROSION ON THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10743282
Incident
Jan 15, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A FIRE HYDRANT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10692913
Incident
Oct 15, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 11, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE FUEL RESTRICTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10682760
Incident
Jan 20, 2015
Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2015

THE COMPLAINT IS THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND ARE MADE OF VERY POOR MATERIAL. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE DAY ON MARCH 10,2015.

NHTSA ID
10733150
Incident
Mar 10, 2014
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2015

ON 2/1/2015, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 AM, I WAS STOPPING AT MY BROTHERS MAILBOX TO GET HIS MAIL WHILE HE WAS ON VACATION. WHEN I WENT TO STOP AT HIS MAILBOX, THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY TRUCK WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE ON THE PEDAL. I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND IT CAME TO A GRADUAL STOP OVER AN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE OF 20 TO 30 FEET (WHICH IS SLIGHTLY UPHILL). THERE WERE NO LIGHTS LIT ON THE DASH AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BETWEEN THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM LEVELS ON THE RESERVOIR, WHEN I EXAMINED IT AFTER THE OCCURRENCE. WE LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD WITHOUT MUCH TRAFFIC, SO I PLACED THE TRUCK IN LOW RANGE 4WD AND DROVE IT THE 1/2 MILE HOME. UPON RETURNING HOME THE TOP BRAKE LINE WHICH RUNS ALONG THE FRAME FROM THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE BLOCK BACK TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR OF THE TRUCK HAD RUPTURED. THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER NEVER WENT BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, SO I ATTEMPTED TO REFILL IT TO SEE IF I COULD GET ANY BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE BACK. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR STILL AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES WITH A FULL MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED WHERE IT IS ATTACHED AT A GREEN PLASTIC FACTORY HANGER. THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED/RUSTED WHERE IT HAD FAILED. IF I WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED AT MY BROTHERS MAILBOX, IT IS 1 MILE DOWN HILL ON AN APPROXIMATE 12 DEGREE GRADE TO THE MAIN ROAD. THE INTERSECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROAD IS A 90 DEGREE, T INTERSECTION IN A CREEK BOTTOM, WHERE I AM SUPPOSED TO STOP PRIOR TO ENTERING THE MAIN ROAD. WE HAD JUST CAME HOME ON 1/31/2015 FROM A 8.0 HOUR ROUND TRIP TO SEE MY SON AT COLLEGE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS OF MARYLAND AND WEST VIRGINIA ON I-68 AND HAD DRIVEN VARIOUS MAJOR BUSY HIGHWAYS INCLUDING I-79, I-68 AND I-81. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL WHICH WE WOULD HAVE USED, WE DECIDED TO TAKE MY OTHER SON'S WRANGLER ON THE TRIP OR I MAY HAVE BEEN SENDING THIS EMAIL FROM THE HOSPITAL IF WE WERE LUCKY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10680368
Incident
Feb 1, 2015
Mileage
102,098 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 9, 2015

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT, AND AS I HIT MY BRAKES, THERE WERE NO BRAKES. I LIMPED HOME, USING THE E-BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION TO KEEP THE TRUCK UNDER CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671448
Incident
Jan 8, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 5, 2014

I BOUGHT (2) SIERRA 2500 HD TRUCKS THAT HAVE SERIOUS HUB ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS WITH ONE REPLACEMENT IN 2011, LIGHTING SYSTEM WORK WHEN IT WANT TO AND HAS DRAIN FIVE BATTERIES FROM AAA AND ADVANCE AUTO IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, ABS/ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON SINCE 2007 AND AFTER 10 YEARS IS GASKET PROBLEMS WITH GM PRODUCTS. I HAVE TALK TO GM EXECUTIVE OFFICE THAT FIX THE HUB ASSEMBLY AND TAILGATE RECALLS PROBLEM IN 2011 BUT UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH IT NOW AFTER TALKING TO GM DAN. I THINK I NEED OUT SIDE COUNSEL AND ENGINEERING FIRM TO TEST AND TESTIFY ON MY BEHAVE AND 2,300 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WANT NEW VEHICLES AND SETTING UP A DATE WITH CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, AND NHTSA REVIEW MY CASE. I HAVE MET WITH CONGRESSIONAL PANEL INVESTIGATING GM THAT WANT TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I BEEN A GM PERSON BUT SERIOUSLY LOOKING IN THE FOREIGN MARKET IF I HAVE NO SERIOUS RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652666
Incident
Feb 21, 2008
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2014

ON 9-19-2014 THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND STARTED TO INCH FORWARD. SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE MOVEMENT. THE EVENT WAS SO QUICK AND SLIGHT I THOUGHT NOTHING ABOUT IT. I TURNED ON THE FREEWAY AND DROVE 30 OR 40 MILES BEFORE TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN. WHEN I DID IT WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING THE TRUCK SPEED ANY APPRECIABLE AMOUNT. AT THAT POINT I KNEW I HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I GEARED THE TRUCK DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO AVOID BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IF I HAD NEEDED TO COME TO A FULL AND FAST STOP IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED GM HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME WITHOUT NOTICE TO TRUCK OWNERS THAT IT EXISTS. AN INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS DONE AND INDICATED A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM DUE TO RUST. THE FUEL LINES SHOWED THE SAME KIND OF DETERIORATION. PICTURES CAN BE PROVIDED TO VERIFY THE LACK OF ADVANCED RUST CONDITIONS TO THE UNDERNEATH OF THE TRUCK OTHER THAN THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM, THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM, AND THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN THERE 90% ON THE TOTAL MILEAGE ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10638398
Incident
Sep 19, 2014
Mileage
180,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2014

THIS SELDOM USED, WELL MAINTAINED, GARAGED TRUCK, BLEW OUT THE BRAKE LINES ON LEFT SIDE ON THE FRAME, UNDER THE DOOR, RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP A #9000 BOAT. IF I HAD THAT BOAT BEHIND THE TRUCK, IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME, OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. BRAKE LINES ARE NOT A NORMAL SERVICE PART. REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE LINES IS COSTING ME 1300, AT A MINIMUM. MY NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR HAS A SIMILAR 2004 GMC SIERRA, WITH ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE, ONLY HIS IS A 1/2 TON, WHERE MINE IS 3/4 TON. HIS TRUCK HAD THE SAME FAILURE THE WEEK BEFORE, IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION ON THE LINES. DO A SIMPLE SEARCH LOOKING FOR BRAKE FAILURES ON THESE VEHICLES, AND YOU FIND THAT ITS WELL DOCUMENTED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I SHOULD BE LOOKING AT BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON A 10 YEAR OLD GARAGED TRUCK THAT HAS A TOW CAPACITY OF OVER 10,000 #'S. HOW SHOULD SOMEONE DETECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE BRAKE LINES TO DETERMINE WHEN THE SHOULD BE REPLACED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10638025
Incident
Sep 20, 2014
Mileage
73,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2014

BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632803
Incident
Sep 9, 2014
Mileage
71,000 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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