2004 GMC Sierra 2500 problems & reliability
143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Sierra 2500, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (5 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 48 | 34% |
| Service Brakes | 33 | 23% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 22 | 15% |
| Engine | 9 | 6% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 6% |
| Power Train | 9 | 6% |
| Steering | 7 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 3% |
| Structure | 5 | 3% |
| Tires | 3 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 60,000 miles (middle 50% between 45,159 and 94,409 miles), based on 122 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Service Brakes · filed Jan 4, 2020
“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.”
Engine · filed Dec 9, 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…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Nov 27, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
310 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Sierra 2500. The 10 most recent:
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary information communicates an issues with the odometer being incorrect after a programming event and how the dealership can resolve the issue.
PIT5851F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 4, 2025
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2025
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
03-06-01-023I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 18, 2024
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
03-06-01-023H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 7, 2024
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…
PIT3271P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 6, 2024
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to…
General Communication · Service Campaign · issued Aug 26, 2024
This Preliminary information communicates to dealer instructions for diagnosing Google Maps concerns
PIT6193 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 16, 2024
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This…
24-NA-141 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 2024
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how…
16-NA-383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 28, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2004 GMC Sierra 2500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 60,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.