2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 10%of 212 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the steering of the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500, 10% of the 212 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2004 Gmc pickup truck has a knocking noise and clunk in the steering column. It started around 30k miles and has gotten steadily worse over the course of ownership. I did some searching on the internet and it seems GM has know about this problem on numerous models over the course of about 6 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10229089, filed 2008-05, 30,000 miles“Me and my two boys where headed home and I was taking a curve at 50mph a went to slow down to 45 when I started to take the curve I heard some kind of metal bone breaking sound and my truck jerked to the oncoming lane and a jerked it back but after that everything went loose and me and my boys went sideways of of the bank of the curve and we rolled 3 times before we stopped tank up. My air bag didn't go off neither the passenger's airbag. I heard a hissing noise I got my boys out as fast as I could with some help of bystanders breaking the passenger side window so we could crawl out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11122262, filed 2018-08, 36,000 miles“Noticed I started to get a vibration in the steering wheel, took it to the dealer and they installed an tbs lube kit in the steering shaft. About a year later the vibration is back and worse than before, called the dealer and they told me it would cost me 300.00 plus labor. This is a known problem with certain year GM trucks, and every day it seems to get worse. I feel my safety might be compromised, if I continue to drive it.”
NHTSA complaint #10247339, filed 2008-10, 45,233 miles“I have a 2004 z71 sierra truck with a 5.3 engine that has a speedometer problem. It reads 120mph all of the time and they have quoted me around $550 to fix. I also have a clunk in the steering wheel when turning. I have had this problem fixed once by warranty but it has returned again.”
NHTSA complaint #10207108, filed 2007-10, 47,000 miles“I own a 2004 Gmc sierra sle extended cab shortbox z-71 pickup which I bought new in june, 2004. I have experienced a rattle in the steering in the last year which kept getting worse. Master auto in grand forks replace the steering shaft to correct the problem at a cost to me of $166.11. Since this steering shaft could bind/freeze up, I believe this part should have been recalled by GM and replaced free of charge as a factory defect and safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10262824, filed 2009-03, 67,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10112544Nov 6, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a power steering pump whine noise. Technician will need to flush…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 3% |
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 7 | 2% |
| 2023 | 13 | 3% |
| 2022 | 13 | 2% |
| 2021 | 34 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 8% |
| 2019 | 42 | 6% |
| 2018 | 30 | 10% |
| 2017 | 25 | 7% |
| 2016 | 38 | 11% |
| 2015 | 81 | 11% |
| 2014 | 156 | 21% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 4% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 18 | 10% |
| 2004 | 21 | 10% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 6 | 10% |
| 1997 | 25 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
81 complaintsBrakes
67 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology