10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,752 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #16

Apr 222012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
All of the brake lines below drivers side door became extremely rusted, thus busting and releasing all the brake fluid at once, leaveingthe vehicle inoperative.

- Finksburg, MD, USA

problem #15

Jan 182012

Sierra 1500

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic stop, he attempted to engage the brakes but the pedal was depressed into the floorboard abnormally. In addition, the contact applied the emergency brake to no avail. The contact stated that in order to stop the vehicle, he had to drive the vehicle alongside the sidewalk. After inspecting the vehicle, he discovered that the brake lines were completely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.

- Cape Coral , FL, USA

problem #14

Aug 012003

Sierra 1500

  • 15 miles
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph and depressing the brakes, there was an abnormal increase in stopping distance and time. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure was approximately 15 and the current mileages were approximately 61,000.

- Maple Wood, OH, USA

problem #13

Oct 172011

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 67,410 miles
I own a 2004 GMC K1500 with about 70000 miles on it now. On 10/17/11 at 67410 miles I was doing a normal oil change with the vehicle elevated on a rack. I noticed fluid dripping on me from under the drivers floor area. Upon closer inspection I found almost all of the brake lines leading from the front of the truck to the ABS unit rusted badly and leaking. As I was moving the vehicle from the rack the brake pedal went to the floor. With very careful operation and using the parking brake I was able to get the truck back on level ground. I replaced all the lines leading from the ABS unit to the front of the truck rerouting them along the frame. If this failure had occurred on the highway or while pulling my trailer a serious accident may have resulted. This problem is a manufacturing/engineering defect in many of these vehicles. You should not lose all of your brakes when a line ruptures. The dual master cylinder should allow you to have brakes on the opposite side, GM should recall these vehicles and replace the brake lines with stainless or another engineering fix.

- St. Marys, WV, USA

problem #12

Jul 052011

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
I got into my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck and went to stop. The petal went to the floor. I discovered the brake lines were rusted and created a leak causing loss of the brakes. The vehicle has no rust in any other areas. It is obvious the brake lines were corroded well before the normal life of vehicle brakes. I was able to stop the vehicle before an accident was caused due primarily to my experience as a long time police officer. This type of brake failure could cause accidents and fatalities.

- New Tazewell, TN, USA

problem #11

Oct 262010

Sierra 1500

  • 40,000 miles
2004 GMC Sierra ext cab with 40K miles has seriously degraded braking power. Upon sudden stops the vehicle wasn't to keep rolling taking far to long to stop. The pedal goes almost to the floor and yet the truck is still moving. The ABS system does not indicate it is working but the wheel S do not lock up to a skid, in fact, I can't get the truck to skid or invoke the ABS system no matter what I do. I called the dealer who said no recalls were out for this problem but this is definitely not right. Dealer says it's normal but I can bring it in for an inspection ( $100) but any repairs are not covered by GM, he acted like he never heard of this before? I have heard of several other GMC truck owners that said they had similar issues only to be charged $800 or more with little improvement. I cannot keep this truck like this, I am afraid I will roll into the back of someone and I cannot tow my trailer ( small bike trailer) for fear of the same. When will GM wake up?

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #10

Aug 162010

Sierra 1500

  • 57,000 miles
Severe brake line corrosion in my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup. Complete failure of brake system. All brake lines severely bubbled and corroded. Estimate to repair is $2000. NHTSA should extend investigation of 1999-2003 model year GMC trucks to 2004 and later model years.

- Newtown Square, PA, USA

problem #9

Jul 282010

Sierra 1500

  • 65,000 miles
2004 GMC pu trk ABS activation @ 5mph or less trk don"T stop safely.

- Prudenville, MI, USA

problem #8

Sep 252009

Sierra 1500

  • 35,000 miles
GMC & chev K1500 series pickup trucks 4X4 front wheel bearings ABS brake censor unit I had 2 sets of these go bad on qa pickup with less than 35000 miles on it these wheel bearings are not bad they just become a little lose but are still in factory spec. There is a ABS sensor in between them and the unit will malfunction in this condition which will not let you stop when on dry roads I ran through 2 stop signs trying to stop with 2 feet on the brake pedal this condition is not just with my truck I have over 12 friends that have the same truck 2002 thur 2006 and we have all had this happen to us if you want names and #'s I can get them tw*

- Canastota, NY, USA

problem #7

Nov 012009

Sierra 1500

  • 37,500 miles
2004 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 extended cab / 37,828 miles / driven in Pennsylvania - ABS activates at low speed (approximately 5 - 10 mph) when attempting to stop on dry pavement. When ABS activates, the truck will not stop as expected and have not been able to keep truck from entering intersections. Problem is intermittent but is increasing in regularity. Mechanics have stated this is a common problem with GM trucks and the hub with speed sensor will need replaced or repaired. Issue is determining which hub and sensor is malfunctioning. A recall for the same problem was issued for 1999 - 2002 models under NHTSA campaign id# 05V379000.

- Rural Valley, PA, USA

problem #6

Oct 212009

Sierra 1500

  • 80,000 miles
2004 GMC 1500 4X4 85,000 mi., brakes feel soft and have excessive travel during emergency stopping or when towing. Have replaced front pads with more aggressive pads and no help, have tried bleeding several times to no avail. Personally think the problem lies in the lines from the master cyl. To ABS box as these are flex style lines not hard lines, I have been in the automotive repair business for 40 years and have not had a problem such as this that I could not locate a problem, all components appear to be working properly, ie: Booster, master cyl, ABS controller, and calipers. I personally know of several other vehicles from these years with the same problems and GM has not fixed the problems.

- Jefferson City, NE, USA

problem #5

Jun 062006

Sierra 1500

  • 25,000 miles
I have a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 pick up and the ABS and check brake lights keep coming on and off. After taken in to shop (dealer) they could not find any fault codes finally late 2008 I had it looked at by a local shop and they believe it is a bad card. Some times it wont go off for months and other times it is none stop.

- Olive Branch , MS, USA

problem #4

Dec 162003

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500. While the vehicle was idling with the brake pedal depressed, the pedal extended to the floor without excess pressure being applied. The failure only occurs at low speeds, such as 15 mph. He has not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 100 and current mileage was 28,000.

- St. Clarisville, OH, USA

problem #3

Oct 302006

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
: the contact stated while applying sudden brake pressure at various speeds, there was an increased stopping distance. This was intermittent in nature. The vehicle was inspected numerous times by the dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Rochester, MI, USA

problem #2

Jul 012005

Sierra 1500

  • miles
2004 GMC 1500 developed problems with the brake equipment. The consumer went to four different dealers who all admitted there was a problem with the brakes.

- Litchfield, ME, USA

problem #1

Sep 082004

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Vehicle hit a meridian strip pole. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, skidded into a guard rail, and vehicle flipped over twice. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Passenger and driver sustained neck and back injuries, and were transported by ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was towed, and totaled by the insurance company.

- Allardt, TN, USA