Complaints
224
Crashes
12
Fires
7
Injuries
17
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 GMC Sierra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#144 complaints
Brakes
Avg mileage:92,451 mi
Crash-related:2
#218 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:81,157 mi
Fires:1
#318 complaints
Instrument Cluster
Avg mileage:59,176 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 GMC Sierra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 44 | 2 | — | 92,451 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 18 | — | 1 | 81,157 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 18 | — | — | 59,176 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 17 | 1 | 1 | 50,915 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 12 | 2 | 1 | 14,991 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | — | — | 32,502 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 | 1 | — | 13,572 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | 24,075 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | — | 1 | 126,100 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheels:Hub | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — |
Brakes
44
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,451
Electrical Faults
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
81,157
Instrument Cluster
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,176
Hydraulic Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
50,915
Automatic Transmission
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
14,991
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,502
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
13,572
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
24,075
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
126,100
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Hub
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Sierra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra Years
2004 GMC Sierra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 GMC Sierra has 224 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 44 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Brakes (44 complaints, avg 92,451 mi); Electrical Faults (18 complaints, avg 81,157 mi); Instrument Cluster (18 complaints, avg 59,176 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 GMC Sierra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 64,957 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 GMC Sierra include 12 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 GMC Sierra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 GMC Sierra?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 GMC Sierra
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