70 of the
253 complaints about the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 are about the
braking system — 28% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,000 miles.
CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. I WAS DRIVING DOWN RURAL ROAD GETTING READY TO TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY WITHOUT KILLING SOMEONE. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND ONE HAD BURST. I HAD PART OF THE LINE FIXED WITH COPPER TUBING. I HAVE SINCE HAD 2 MORE LINES BURST. AS WELL AS A FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS HAS BECOME FRUSTRATING.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11326061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 999,940 milesLansing, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2004 AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE AND ALMOST 100,00 MILES IN ALMOST 14 YEARS HOWEVER I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND ALL THE BRAK FLUID CAME OUT I HAD TO DRIVE OVER A PERSON LAWN TO AVOID HITTING A PERSON AND A MOVING VEHICLE ON 7/1/2017 DUE TO RUSTY BRAKE LINE AND CHECKING ALL LINES WERE RUSTED . I AM ALMOST 75 YEARS OLD AND VERY CONCERNED I WAS AWARE THE LINES WERE ALL RUSTED DUE TO IMPORTED BRAKE LINES WITH INFERIOR METALS, NEVER HEARD ABOUT AND NOTICE OR RECALL.I ALMOST INJURED A PERSON AND HIT A CAR IF I DID NOT DRIVE ON SOMEONES LAWN THE VEHIVLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 35 MPH .
NHTSA complaint #11002839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philpot, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES WENT OUT AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, BRAKE LINE CORROSION
NHTSA complaint #10990757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
POWER TRAIN PCM DEFECTIVE WITH TRANSFER CASE WITH BAD DESIGNING WITH SHOE PUMP, AND BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND LEAK. BRAKE SYSTEM WILL NOT PREVENT VEHICLE TO STOP WHEN BRAKE LINES ARE LEAK. FOR MY 2004 I WAS LUCKY DRIVING ON SLOW SPEED ON CITY ROAD, AND I WAS ABLE TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP MY TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10955150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,550 milesLehighton, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
ON JANUARY 24, 2017 TRAVELING ON PA TURNPIKE AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW WHEN APPROACHING SLOWER VEHICLES. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE ALMOST RAN INTO THE REAR OF SLOWER VEHICLES. METAL BRAKE LINE RUPTURED ABOVE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN INSPECTED, ALL BRAKE LINES EXHIBITED EXTREME RUST/CORROSION TO THE POINT OF FLAKING AND THINNING. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR COLLISION AND WOULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED OCCUPANTS. THIS PROBLEM IS A MAJOR KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BY GM.
NHTSA complaint #10947876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10928727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,145 milesMacomb, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK FAILED DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. I PUSHED ON MY BRAKES WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY LOST ALL BRAKING POWER AND HAD MY BRAKE . LUCKILY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED. UPON SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR HE SAID THAT THIS WAS COMMON AND THAT THE NEW BRAKE LINES WERE COATED AND WILL NOT RUST. NONE THE LESS THE REPAIR COST AND TOWING COST WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10898640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,900 milesLake Suzy, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,900....UPDATED 02/04/16 *BF; 05/02/18
NHTSA complaint #10808140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 230,000 milesCumming, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO PRESSURE/FLUID LOSS
NHTSA complaint #10807093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesEdison, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
AS I APPROACHED A MAJOR INTERSECTION THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES PREPARING TO STOP. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK ROLLED HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STEP ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND FULLY STOP THE TRUCK. THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON INDICATING "REPAIR BRAKES"...A LITTLE TOO LATE TO HELP. IF I HAD A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME , I WOULD HAVE HIT IT AND POSSIBLE INJURIES WOULD HAVE RESULTED. I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS GLAD FOR SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #10731974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesKing Sport, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #10711987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,385 milesSouth Milwaukee, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME FROM A RESTAURANT, JUST ABOUT 4 BLOCKS FROM MY HOME I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES WAS ACTING UP AND I PRESSED A LITTLE HARD TO STOP BEFORE A STOP LIGHT AND THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOW TO GET MY TRUCK TO MY HOME AS I HAVE NO BRAKES. BY THE TIME I PARKED MY PARKING SPOT I GOT OUT AND OPENED MY HOOD TO LOOK AT THE BRAKE DRUM DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND PROCEEDED TO LOOK UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID JUST UNDER DRIVERS SIDE BOTTOM. I WAS AMAZED TO SEE THAT AND IT LOOKED SO RUSTED, COULDN'T PINPOINT WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM ON THE LINES IT WAS ALL SOAKED WITH THE FLUID. RIGHT NOW I FEEL THAT THE GM CORPORATION SHOULD REPLACE ALL THE LINES AT A NO COST TO ME. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE PUT AN INFERIOR PRODUCT ON THE TRUCK AND IT IS DANGEROUS THEY CAN HAVE SOMEONE KILLED IF THE BRAKES FAIL ON A HIGHER SPEED !!! THEY TRICKED THE CUSTOMER INTO BUYING A QUALITY MADE TRUCKS AND ITS NOT! IT IS MADE OF CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP QUALITY PARTS THAT I SPEND ON WITH MY MONEY WHEN I BROUGHT THE SIERRA 1500 NEW FROM A GM DEALER IN JULY 2004 MILEAGE AT THE TIME HAPPENED AROUND 118385.
NHTSA complaint #10680276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southampton, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE FOR RR CROSSING, PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR. TOWED TO GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10654194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,841 milesHomer Glen, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE FAILURE! BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HAVE SAFETY BELTS, AIR BAGS, SAFETY GLASS, AND MANY OTHER SAFETY FEATURES ON CARS AND TRUCKS BUT DO NOT MAKE IT MANDATORY THAT ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS (LINES) ARE NOT MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL TUBING! BEING UNABLE TO STOP IN AN EMERGENCY BECAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE CAN RESULT IN MANY CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS AND UNNECESSARY DEATHS OR INJURIES!
NHTSA complaint #10644424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesBeaver, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA complaint #10641747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,397 milesEssex Junction, VT
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING INTO THE VILLAGE, HAD TO STOP FOR SOMEONE MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. COMPLETE BRAKING FAILURE. NO ACCIDENT, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT, BUT REAL SCARY, MY SON WAS WITH ME. GOT THE TRUCK HOME AND NOW ALL THE BRAKE FLUID RAN DOWN THE DRIVE WAY. LOOKS LIKE GM WENT CHEAP AGAIN, THE BRAKE LINES ARE HORRIBLY RUSTED AND THE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM AN AREA JUST UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10633054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,400 milesBernardston, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. DUE TO RUSTED LINES BRAKE FLUID POURED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10631378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,600 milesHarrod, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD MINIMAL BRAKING POWER. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY BUT THE BRAKES LINES ARE COMPLETELY GONE. THEY ARE ALL RUSTED AND HAVE SEVERAL HOLES IN THEM AND MUST BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10621729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,345 milesCorpus Christi, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING VEHICLE, AND LOST BRAKES. DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THRU CAUSING LOSS OF FLUIDS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN YEAR MODEL GM VEHICLES. THIS IS A EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I CANT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. DOES IT REALLY TAKE DEATHS FOR GM TO ACT ON DEFECTS THEY ARE AWARE OF? I HAVE A 1988 JEEP WRANGLER AND THE BRAKE LINES LOOK A LOT BETTER THAN THOSE ON MY TRUCK. THE SAD THING IS YOU CANT EVEN BUY THE BREAK LINES FROM THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY DON'T SELL THEM, WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK DEEPER INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS KILLED OR INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10609473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesKettle Falls, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
COMING UP DRIVEWAY IN 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCK AND WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR - NO BRAKES. HAD TO PUSH EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP TRUCK. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE TRUCK, SAW FLUID LEAKING OUT BENEATH TRUCK UNDER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND FOUND BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND BRAKE FLUID WAS DRAINING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10607920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesWashington, NH
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH A DEER SUDDENLY JUMPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THEY EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FAILURE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
NHTSA complaint #10598595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesWallingford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED WHICH CAUSED IT TO BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,892.
NHTSA complaint #10598611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,000 milesManakin-Sabot, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. PULLING INTO CAR WASH AND WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK WENT OUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR WASH. COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AS I PULL AN EQUIPMENT TRAILER WITH 7000 POUNDS ON IT AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. I WILL NEVER OWN A GM PRODUCT AGAIN. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10595995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,467 milesColumbia, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
ENTIRE BRAKE LINE FAILURE DO TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10583904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,541 milesMuscatine, IA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES ENGAGED THE ANTILOCK DEVICE EVEN AS I WAS DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT. THIS HAPPENED OFTEN, AND IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL WITH FOLLOWING DISTANCE YOU'LL REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. THIS HAPPENS IN A RANDOM FASHION THAT THE ANTILOCK DEVICE GETS ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10579414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMount Airy, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE FLUID LINE RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. LOST BRAKES WITH FAMILY IN TRUCK WHILE AT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND THREE (3) MILES FROM HOME. DROVE HOME ON SHOULDER OF ROAD WITH DRAG ON TRANSMISSION TO STOP. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS HAS NOT BE RECALLED SOONER.
NHTSA complaint #10576465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesWestbrook, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #10558774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,000 milesWest Milford, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE BACKING IN DRIVEWAY, BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR WITH NO PRESSURE. LOST ALL FLUID IN SYSTEM. 3 BRAKE LINE TO BREAK IN 4 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10557235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesLancaster, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE WHEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH DOWN ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE STRIKING MY OTHER TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED BEHIND ME. BEING SOMEWHAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED, I SAW A LINE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK EXTENDING BENEATH IT. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK, ALMOST DIRECTLY BELOW THE DRIVERS SEAT AND SAW A BUNDLE OF STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT WERE NOTHING BUT A SOLID MASS OF RUST AND DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID! THE RUSTING IS SO BAD THAT I CAN'T TELL WHETHER IT'S ONE OR ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH! SINCE I'M RETIRED (AND DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE IN BAD WEATHER) AND HAVE ANOTHER OLDER TRUCK I DRIVE MOST OF THE TIME, THE GMC HAS RARELY SEEN BAD WEATHER (I PURCHASED IT NEW) AND WHEN IT DID IT WAS ALWAYS PRESSURE WASHED (UNDERNEATH) AT THE CAR WASH IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SNOW OR ICE HAD ENDED! MY BROTHER WHO IS A MECHANIC RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE RUSTED BRAKES LINES ON A 2005 CHEVY TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10549979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,328 milesAnnapolis, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
04 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXTENDED CAB FRONT STEEL BRAKE LINES CORROSION/RUSTED AND BURST CAUSED SUDDEN FLUID LEAKAGE AND FAILURE TO STOP PLACED ME IN A DANGEROUS/HAZARDOUS SITUATION. FINDING A RELIABLE SHOP, EXPENSIVE TOWING AND REPAIRS CAUSED TREMENDOUS BURDEN AND INCONVENIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10547359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.