2004 GMC Sierra 3500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 58%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 GMC Sierra 3500, 58% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brakes failed due to a sudden brake line failure. There had been no prior fluid leaks. The rear metal brake line under the bed rusted at a clamp in front of the fuel tank. As I have looked further into this I have several friends that have had this problem and several shops said that they saw this often with these vehicles all failing in the same area.”
NHTSA complaint #10536420, filed 2013-08, 131,883 miles“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 and found brake fluid coming out from above the gas tank. I carefully took the truck off at the next exit using my trailer brakes to stop the vehicle. I took the truck to the first service station that I saw and had them look at it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10573350, filed 2014-03, 131,883 miles“I picked my stepdaughter at school and at the stoplight to leave the school there were no brakes. I used the curb to slow the truck enough to the lights to change. It was not a busy time and students were not present otherwise this would have been a disaster. I drove the truck home with flashers very slowly home on a back road downshifting and relying in the allison transmission. When I reached home the light came on to service brakes. That was obvious already. This is a 1 ton dually that usually hauls skid loads, paving bricks, etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #10486561, filed 2012-11, 60,004 miles“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 was near full. I saw online that this seems to be a GM issue with a few years of trucks in my age bracket. I climbed up under the truck and found the lines to be shot. Not one with a rust hole, but all of them corroded from one end to the other. …”
NHTSA complaint #10545340, filed 2013-09, 105,000 miles“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 dealer that was just a very short distance utilizing the gears and the emergency brake. Upon inspection, the dealer found at least two locations where the brake line had rusted through. He recommended to replace all brake lines with a line that was corrosion resistant. …”
NHTSA complaint #10650123, filed 2014-10, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242252Aug 18, 2023This technical bulletin provides information and a solution to a condition of Brake Pedal Moves or Self Applies at Full Turns.
- 10226382Oct 18, 2022This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10162149Jun 24, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10246647Sep 1, 2014Pre-Formed and Pre-Flared Hydraulic Brake Pipe Kits Now Available for Service
- 10112560Nov 9, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about brake rotors on new vehicles and replacement parts from General Motors Service Parts…
- 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…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% |
| 2025 | 5 | 29% |
| 2024 | 11 | 22% |
| 2023 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 7 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 31% |
| 2018 | 6 | 43% |
| 2017 | 5 | 38% |
| 2016 | 6 | 32% |
| 2015 | 4 | 13% |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% |
| 2013 | 1 | 7% |
| 2012 | 1 | 11% |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% |
| 2007 | 3 | 19% |
| 2006 | 2 | 18% |
| 2005 | 10 | 42% |
| 2004 | 14 | 58% |
| 2003 | 3 | 43% |
| 2002 | 9 | 45% |
| 2001 | 16 | 44% |
| 2000 | 12 | 46% |
| 1999 | 9 | 47% |
| 1998 | 4 | 33% |
| 1997 | 4 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2004 GMC Sierra 3500
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 GMC Sierra 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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