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2004 GMC Sierra transmission problems

18 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 8,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
8,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    12
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1
  • Clutch assembly
    1
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

GMC Sierra transmission problems in other years

199019952000200520102017

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 GMC Sierra transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Harsh shifting 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2004 GMC Sierra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 18, 2014 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · OR

Will not go into park.

Filed Sep 18, 2012 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000....updated 10/19/12 *bf updated 10/25/12

Filed Jun 13, 2012 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · AK

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. I recovered from the slide and got the vehicle home and then to a repair shop (once the snow melted) for a new transfer case (repair ongoing). Drivers may rely on the 4wd in inclement weather to certain conditions and be injured when the 4wd does not engage due to the defective transfer case. This condition is so common in the gmc sierra/chevy silverado that there are now parts to prevent the clip from eating through the housing: the merchant automotive upgrade provides the solution that should be done to all 4wd models with the defective transfer cases: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj5zs8womnk&feature=related the condition would not impact 2wd models, however. It should be remedied by general motors.

Filed Oct 19, 2009 · Transmission · 114,743 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra . The column shifter could change gears without brake application. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 114743.

Filed Apr 4, 2006 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · NC

Dt*: the contact stated while driving in normal conditions, the transmission locked up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for inspection. The dealer replaced the transmission; however, the new transmission has the same problem.

Filed Dec 20, 2005 · Locks, Steering · 1,534 miles · SC

#1 04 sierra 4x4 returned to dealer after 2 weeks (9/18/04) with 1523 miles for hard shifting. Clutch was not installed correctly from factory. Engage and disengage point in clutch pedal travel is at full depression into the firewall. #2 passenger door hard to close fully. Driver side door closes as expected with little effort. Passenger door will not close completely without undue force being applied or a window cracked. #3 returned truck to a different dealership on 9/15/05 with 8,190 and again 12/15/05 with 10,282 miles. For a knocking noise during turning, clutch not engaging and disengaging correctly, passenger door not closing completely, and a new rattling noise from the transmission along with a whine noise from the gears. The dealership fixed the knocking noise from a service bulletin concerning a steering bushing. This dealership also stated they found nothing wrong with the clutch or the transmission or the passenger door. None of the problems were fixed #5 I immediately took the truck to an independent transmission specialist after picking it up from the dealership for a 3rd opinion on 12/20/05 with 10,284 miles. His opinion was flatly stated that the truck has major problems with the clutch and the transmission. His evaluation was the clutch was not installed correctly from the factory and depression into the firewall was not correct. The transmission has synchronizer and possible bushings and bearings that were failing. He stated the noises alone were definite indicators that the transmission has problems and that anyone would know that a clutch is not required to be depressed into the firewall for proper operation which in time will lead to premature clutch failure. This evaluation cost me $30 and 3 hour lost from work.

Filed May 31, 2005 · Transmission · 16,782 miles · FL

1st broken flywheel replaced; now 05/31/05 back in for 2nd fly wheel replacement.

Filed May 10, 2005 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · ID

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.

Filed Apr 28, 2005 · Transmission · 12,000 miles · MS

Automatic transmission would intermittently hesitate before catching in gear while driving. Vehicle has been to the dealer on two separated occasions and they were unable to duplicate the problem. Consumer was concerned that this vehicle maybe rear ended. *ak the truck was on an incline in overdrive with my foot on the brake, let off the brake and gave it gas to merge into traffics and the truck wouldn't accelerate. It hesitated until felt like a gear caught and then into traffic instead of going when it needed to go. The second time was almost the same way.

Filed Feb 11, 2005 · Acceleration, Transmission · 500 miles · GA · fire

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. The 4 wheel drive and transmission problems were addressed 3 times and all the dealers said nothing was wrong. An independent mechanic said there is a defect with my transmission and transfer case. That is it with the truck. Now just last thursday feb 3, my bridgestone tire separated. My tire dealer said the tire was defective. There was no evidence what so ever that there was any damage to the tire to cause the blowout. It should not have separated. It caused a fire. It was quickly put out.

Questions about the 2004 GMC Sierra transmission

Does the 2004 GMC Sierra have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 GMC Sierra, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 GMC Sierra transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 8,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 GMC Sierra transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the GMC Sierra have bad transmission?

The GMC Sierra model years with the most transmission complaints are 1999 (37 complaints), 2003 (29 complaints) and 1997 (28 complaints).

Other 2004 GMC Sierra problems

Brakes 74Electrical 39Steering 14Body 9Engine 9Acceleration 8Fuel system 8Visibility 7Airbags 5Tires 4Lights 3Suspension 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2Locks 1Seats 1

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