2004 GMC Sierra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 10%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 GMC Sierra, 10% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased my 2004 Gmc Sierra 1500 4x4. I put it in 4 wheel drive to go through some ice and it made a very loud clank. Not long after that when I put it in reverse or drive it also made the same loud clank. It did not sound like that when I first bought the truck. Now the truck has trouble going into 4 wheel drive and also gets hung in reverse. It has almost caused me to get in a bad accident. My cruise control also has have 6 malfunctions. I had the dealer fix it initially. I have fixed it subsequently due to the fact they said it was a blown fuse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110366, filed 2005-02, 500 miles“Our son-in-law owns a 2004 Gmc 4-door pickup. It has automatic transmission. Our two-year old grandson was in the truck while his father was cleaning it. The key was in the accessory position so they could listen to the radio. The child pulled the shift lever out of park and the truck ran away down an incline. Both driver's side doors were separated from the vehicle by a tree and the truck continued until rear-ending another tree. The child stayed in the vehicle and was unhurt. In checking this truck, our 2003 tahoe, and our 2003 chevrolet pickup we find that all of them: 1. …”
NHTSA complaint #10078788, filed 2004-06, 30,000 miles“The manual shift on the fly system (msof) with new venture gears automatic transfer case is defectively designed. A metal anti-rattle clip works it way through the case housing, causing all fluid to leak out of the transfer case. The clutches then burn out rendering the transfer case useless. The result is no 4 wheel drive (no power to front wheels) when shift on the fly is pressed, leaving driver sliding on snow or ice--which happened to me in a near wreck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10461697, filed 2012-06, 45,000 miles“The center hub of the wheels constantly falls off. The plastic screws that hold the hub on the wheel are not securing the hub properly. The consumer has lost six of these hubs since owning the vehicle. The vehicle would buck when put into 4low and shifting into park or neutral from reverse or drive. The vehicle made a thumping noise when making left turns and the consumer could feel it in the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10083320, filed 2004-09, 1,000 miles“Transmission makes a clunking sound when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Also, intermittnet slipping of transmission when starting to move from a full stop. Vehicle hesitates before it begins to move. This occured within the 1st 500 miles and contines to occur today.”
NHTSA complaint #10120593, filed 2005-05, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113664May 29, 2015This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlow®.
- 10112401Oct 9, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have not engagement into drive, delayed, no engagement into reverse, and or…
- 10023751Feb 1, 2013Engine surge or stall at stop and/or dtc p0742 possible tcc applied. Equipped with allison lct1000 transmission rpo m74 or mw7. *nj updated 4/22/13.
- 10112697Dec 27, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
- 10112681Dec 17, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a planetary gear whine noise in first and second gear. Technician…
- 10112523Oct 30, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have slip in forward ranges immediately after replacing the input housing…
- 10043185Nov 1, 2011Cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/hummer: some suvs and trucks are exhibiting a condition where by grinding/ratcheting type noise coming from automatic transmission when shifting into park…
- 10026804Oct 1, 2008Gmc: fluid leak from transmission oil cooler lines due to corrosion. All 2000-2006 light duty trucks equipped with the light duty automatic transmission.
- 10025462Apr 1, 2008Diagnostic information on mn8, mt1 ses/mil illuminated, dtc p0757, harsh shift, delayed 2-3 shift, 2-3 shift flare, no third gear, slips in third gear or reverse.
- 10024345Feb 1, 2008Eaton locking differential chatter shudder noise on turns, equipped with a locking rear differential rpo g80. *nj updated 7/17/2008.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 23 | 38% |
| 2015 | 6 | 11% |
| 2014 | 10 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 13% |
| 2012 | 2 | 7% |
| 2011 | 6 | 14% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 2006 | 2 | 4% |
| 2005 | 11 | 9% |
| 2004 | 18 | 10% |
| 2003 | 29 | 14% |
| 2002 | 18 | 7% |
| 2001 | 14 | 5% |
| 2000 | 26 | 6% |
| 1999 | 37 | 6% |
| 1998 | 15 | 8% |
| 1997 | 28 | 12% |
| 1996 | 24 | 10% |
| 1995 | 12 | 5% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1990 | 2 | 11% |
| 1988 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 GMC Sierra
74 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 GMC Sierra
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