2004 GMC Sierra 3500 problems & reliability
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Sierra 3500. Last verified Aug 8, 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.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 8 | 33% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 21% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 21% |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 8% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 8% |
| Steering | 2 | 8% |
| Power Train | 1 | 4% |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
| Tires | 1 | 4% |
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
Among the 22 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 84,000 miles (middle 50% between 45,001 and 123,000 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“While pulling a camper-trailer, I applied the brakes and the pedal went completely to the floor. I was able to stop utilizing the brakes on the trailer. I was only a short distance from home and I was able to get the trailer back, keeping the transmission in 1st gear and the trailer brakes. I took the truck to a chevy…”
Service Brakes · filed Oct 26, 2014
“I was traveling on the interstate towing a 5th wheel trailer and traffic came to an abrupt stop. I applied my brakes and had brakes than the pedal went to the floor and I lost braking power. I let off the brakes and reapplied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor with low breaking affect. I pulled the truck over…”
Service Brakes · filed Mar 19, 2014
“This past week, as I was driving to get gas for our camping trip, the brake pedal went straight to the floor with no warning. I was able to get the dually slowed down without incident, but was it ever close. After getting the truck back to my house, I began investigating the issue as I saw no leak and the reservoir…”
Service Brakes · filed Sep 25, 2013
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
172 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Sierra 3500. 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 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
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
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
18-NA-099 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 17, 2024
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and…
24-NA-098 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 6, 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
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2004 GMC Sierra 3500 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
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 3500?
- · 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.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 84,000 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.