NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Chevrolet C4500 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Chevrolet C4500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Chevrolet C4500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 Chevrolet C4500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet C4500, describing incidents dated August 28, 2004 to August 1, 2011.

Most-cited components

Engine 3 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10424221 · Filed September 8, 2011
AFTER MONTHS OF HARD STARTING THE ENGINE, THINKING IT WAS THE COLD WEATHER, OLDER GLOW PLUGS, IT TURNED OUT TO BE NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING DIESEL FUEL INTO THE CRANKCASE. CHEVY HAS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. THEY WANT 4500.00 TO REPLACE THE…
ODI #10150940 · Filed February 22, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND EXCHANGE PUMP, ALTHOUGH THIS HELPED THE STALLING, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE…
ODI #10144094 · Filed November 30, 2005
THE 2003 CHEVROLET KODIAK C-4500 CREW CAB TRUCK COMES STANDARD WITH A FACTORY INSTALLED EXHAUST BRAKE. WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED, NO BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SIZE TRUCK IS COMMONLY USED TO HAUL RV TRAILERS, FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS AND HORSE TRAILERS. SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS…

Read all 5 complaints

GM/REAR AXLE ANCHOR PLATE

NHTSA #02V202000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported July 26, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 952 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02028 · Owners notified August 16, 2002 · Vehicles built August 1, 2001 – May 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 11,000 LB. REAR AXLE HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE REAR AXLE ANCHOR PLATE MAY FRACTURE. AS THE ANCHOR PLATE FRACTURES, THERE IS AN AUDIBLE "BANG." IF THIS INDICATION OF A CONDITION REQUIRING THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION WENT UNNOTICED OR WAS IGNORED, AND UNDER CERTAIN REBOUND, BRAKING, OR CORNERING MANEUVERS, THE REAR AXLE WOULD BE FREE TO MOVE FORE AND AFT AND PROVIDE UNEXPECTED STEERING INPUTS TO THE VEHICLE.

Safety consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE ANCHOR PLATE AND SPACER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Chevrolet C4500. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Chevrolet C4500.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10424221

Incident: August 1, 2011 · Filed: September 8, 2011

AFTER MONTHS OF HARD STARTING THE ENGINE, THINKING IT WAS THE COLD WEATHER, OLDER GLOW PLUGS, IT TURNED OUT TO BE NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING DIESEL FUEL INTO THE CRANKCASE. CHEVY HAS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. THEY WANT 4500.00 TO REPLACE THE INJECTORS. THE OIL IS CONTAMINATED AND CAN CATCH ON FIRE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDERS OR PISTONS OR OTHER COMPONENTS DUE TO DRIVING WITH CONTAMINATED OIL. CHEVY SAYS TO BAD. ROLL THE DICE ON THE REPAIR OR BUY A NEW TRUCK. EASY FOR THEM TO SAY, IT IS NOT THEIR HARD WORK OR MONEY THAT HAS TO PAY FOR THEIR DEFECT. CHEVY HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE NEW FUEL INJECTOR,KNOWING THE OLD ONE WAS FAULTY. READING ONLINE FOR DURAMAX ENGINES [CHEVY KODIAK AND THEN SOME] IT AM FINDING OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO READING WHERE CHEVY IS NOT STANDING UP FOR WHAT THEY KNOW IS A PROBLEM. AFTER TALKING TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND GM HEADQUARTERS, THEY BOTH SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10150940

Incident: February 22, 2006 · Filed: February 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND EXCHANGE PUMP, ALTHOUGH THIS HELPED THE STALLING, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE STALLING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.

Electrical System

ODI #10144094

Incident: August 3, 2005 · Filed: November 30, 2005

THE 2003 CHEVROLET KODIAK C-4500 CREW CAB TRUCK COMES STANDARD WITH A FACTORY INSTALLED EXHAUST BRAKE. WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED, NO BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SIZE TRUCK IS COMMONLY USED TO HAUL RV TRAILERS, FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS AND HORSE TRAILERS. SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ACTIVATED ON THE TRUCK, NEITHER ARE THEY ACTIVATED ON THE REAR OF THE TRAILER. WHEN ACTIVATING THE EXHAUST BRAKE WHILE GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL, THE VEHICLE AND TRAILER CAN BE SLOWING DOWN, BUT NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION TO A FOLLOWING VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I ASKED THE GM ENGINEERS TO SEND ME A WIRING DIAGRAM TO FIX THIS BUT THEY REFUSED, CLAIMING THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE SYSTEM WAS REWIRED. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 2003 AND 2004 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES WIRED IN THE MANNER I'M SUGGESTING. ON THESE VEHICLES, WHEN THE EXHAUST BRAKE IS ACTIVATED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO ACTIVATE WARNING ANYONE FOLLOWING THAT THE LEADING VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #10091633

Incident: August 28, 2004 · Filed: September 8, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER . MECHANIC REPLACED THE COMPUTER SENSOR, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN. *AK

Suspension; Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10048790

Crash

Filed: November 28, 2003

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ENGINE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT MAINTAIN THE THROTTLE. ENGINE WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT A CAUSE. ALSO, A SUSPENSION PROBLEM DUE TO BOLTS PLACED IN UPSIDE DOWN POSITION WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO FLIP. WIRES AND PLASTIC BOLT HOLDERS MELTED.*AK

Other Chevrolet C4500 model years

Check your 2003 Chevrolet C4500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet C4500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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