2004 GMC Sierra problems
Owners have filed 224 complaints about the 2004 GMC Sierra with NHTSA. Service brakes account for 19.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 17.9%.
Complaints224
Crashes12
Fires7
Injuries17
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes 19.6% · 44
Electrical system 17.9% · 40
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.8% · 31
Power train 8.5% · 19
Steering 6.3% · 14
Structure 4.0% · 9
Vehicle speed control 3.6% · 8
Visibility 3.6% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 17 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 14 model years of the GMC Sierra in this data, 2004 sits 10th by complaint volume. 1999 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 47 in the last three years against 45 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 46,000 miles.
In owners' own words
I experienced a brake line failure on my 2004 GMC Sierra crew cab pickup truck. I was traveling at a slow rate of speed and coming up to a traffic light and the brake pedal pushed all the way to the floor board. The rear emergency brake was used to stop the vehicle. I found the area around the brake module, in the frame area under the driver's area, soaked with brake fluid and corroded brake lines. Service brakes · reported at 41,690 miles
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the brake lines and fuel pump was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and replaced both the brake lines and fuel pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. Service brakes · reported at 40,000 miles
All brake lines are rusted about into... One busted, I had been on interstate for two hours and luckily I pulled into my driveway and lost all brakes. Brake lines should not be in such a rusted state for this truck, gm should be made to recall for this problem ... This is life threatening under such conditions! And should be addressed as soon as possible. Service brakes · reported at 97,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other GMC Sierra years
1999 721 complaints · 40.4% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 557 complaints · 35.0% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 333 complaints · 30.9% service brakes, hydraulic 2002 291 complaints · 34.4% service brakes, hydraulic 2003 248 complaints · 18.1% service brakes 2005 152 complaints · 17.8% service brakes