2006 Chevrolet C4500 problems

General information about Chevrolet-C4500
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick are a range of medium-duty trucks that were produced by the Chevrolet and GMC divisions of General Motors from 1980 to 2009. Introduced as a variant of the medium-duty C/K truck line, three generations were produced. Slotted between the C/K trucks and the GMC Brigadier Class 8 conventional, the Kodiak/TopKick were developed as a basis for vocationally oriented trucks, including cargo haulers, dump trucks, and similar vehicles; on later generations, both cutaway and cowled-chassis variants were produced for bus use.

Following years of declining market share, General Motors (in line with Ford Motor Company) sought to exit heavy-truck manufacturing. After struggling to enter joint ventures or sell the rights to its product line, the company ended production of the Kodiak and TopKick in 2009. The final medium-duty truck, a GMC TopKick 5500, rolled out of Flint Truck Assembly on July 31, 2009.

For the 2019 model year, after a ten-year hiatus, General Motors re-entered the conventional medium-duty truck segment. Developed in a joint venture with Navistar International, the Chevrolet Silverado 4500/5500 is a Class 4–6 vehicle. Slightly smaller than the Kodiak/Topkick, the Silverado 4500/5500 is marketed exclusively as a Chevrolet (with no GMC counterpart).

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Common 2006 Chevrolet C4500 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Chevrolet C4500 2006, here are some common problems associated with this vehicle:

Transmission Issues: Owners have reported problems with the transmission, including failures that require replacement, leading to issues such as difficulty shifting gears, transmission slipping, or complete failure. This can result in significant repair costs and inconvenience for the owners.
Head Gasket Failures: Head gasket failures have been a concern among Chevrolet C4500 2006 owners. This issue can lead to overheating, loss of engine power, and potential damage to the engine if not addressed promptly. Head gasket replacements are often necessary to resolve this problem.
Instrument Panel Malfunctions: Complaints have been made regarding instrument panel malfunctions in the Chevrolet C4500 2006. This can manifest as inaccurate readings, non-functional gauges, or complete failure of the instrument cluster. Such issues can impact the driver's ability to monitor crucial vehicle information.
Alternator Problems: Owners have experienced alternator failures in the Chevrolet C4500 2006. A malfunctioning alternator can lead to electrical issues, battery drainage, and ultimately result in the vehicle not starting. Replacing the alternator is typically required to address this problem.
Injector Problems: Injector problems have been reported by owners, causing issues with fuel delivery and engine performance. Symptoms may include rough idling, poor acceleration, and decreased fuel efficiency. Addressing injector problems often involves repair or replacement to restore proper engine function.
Radiator Failures: Radiator failures have been a concern for some Chevrolet C4500 2006 owners. A faulty radiator can lead to engine overheating, coolant leaks, and potential engine damage. Replacing the radiator is essential to prevent further issues and maintain the vehicle's cooling system.
Battery Charge Isolator Issues: Problems with the battery charge isolator have been reported, affecting the charging system of the vehicle. This can result in battery drain, electrical issues, and difficulties starting the vehicle. Repairing or replacing the battery charge isolator is necessary to ensure proper charging functionality.

These common problems with the Chevrolet C4500 2006 can impact the vehicle's performance, reliability, and overall driving experience. Addressing these issues promptly through proper diagnosis and repair is essential to maintain the vehicle's functionality and safety on the road.

What Duramax is in a 2006 C4500?

Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 Crew Cab 6.6 V8 Duramax Automatic, 304hp, 2006.

What engine does a C4500 have?

The C4500 and C5500 get the same Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel that's available in heavy-duty Sierras and Silverados, albeit in a lesser state of tune. A 325-hp gasoline-powered 8.1-liter V-8 is also available.

What is the gas mileage on a Kodiak C4500?

In fact, the only small aspect of the Kodiak/TopKick pickup was the in-town fuel economy, an EPA-estimated seven MPG. But, the review team at Car & Driver was able to bump that number up to eight MPG in their test of a TopKick C4500 back in the late 2000s.

How much can a Chevy C4500 tow?

Reliable power is produced by a 6.6L Duramax Diesel and paired with the 5 speed Allison automatic transmission it is capable of towing 16,000lbs with an additional 5500lbs of onboard cargo-hauling capacity. It is painted White with top-shelf Alcoa aluminum wheels and 5th wheel tow package.

What engine does a C4500 have?

What Duramax is in a 2006 C4500?

Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 Crew Cab 6.6 V8 Duramax Automatic, 304hp, 2006.

How much does a 2006 GMC C4500 weight?

With a stout curb weight of 11,300 pounds, it weighs roughly as much as two Suburbans, easily 3,000 pounds heftier than any of the big dualies from Ford, Dodge, or the regular Chevys or GMCs.

What is the gas mileage on a Kodiak C4500?

2006 Chevrolet C4500 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet C4500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Engine and engine cooling problems
Wheels problems
Seats problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2006 Chevrolet C4500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2006 Chevrolet C4500 complaints

The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2006 Chevrolet C4500.

2013-03-02

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-02-23
VIN: 1GBC4C1216F
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. PULLED OVER AND SAW COOLANT DRIPPING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. OPENING THE HOOD HE SAW THE FAN SHROUD WAS BROKEN. AFTER BEING TOWED WE REALIZED THAT THE FAN HAD BROKEN AND PIECES HAD HIT THE SHROUD SHREDDING IT AND SENDING A PIECE INTO THE RADIATOR. *TR

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2011-08-04

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2011-07-27
VIN: 1GBE4C1276F
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT, 5:45 CST, 92 DEGREES/HUMID, 15MPH, 150' INTO INTERSECTION LOUD NOISE. COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED & TOOK OUT ALL HOSES, RADIATOR & BOTH RADIATOR SHROUDS. CURRENTLY AT DEALER, LOWER RADIATOR HOSE NO LONGER MADE. *TR

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2010-09-16

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2010-08-01
VIN: 1GBE4E1266F
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: RECENTLY, THE FAN EXPLODED ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET C-4500 AND DESTROYED THE COWLING AROUND THE FAN AND TORE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR AND HOSES INTO THE INTERCOOLER. I WAS PULLING A HEAVY 5TH WHEEL RV. GLAD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE FUEL FILTER A FEW DAYS BEFORE. UPDATED 09/23/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAN BLADE FAILED. THE OUTER RING CAME APART AND DESTROYED THE COWLING AROUND THE FAN AND MADE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK OUT. UPDATED 09/24/10 *TR

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2009-06-10

WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2009-06-09
VIN: 1GBE4V1296F
Components: WHEELS
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET C4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUTS THAT HOLD THE BEARINGS AND WHEELS TOGETHER, INCLUDING A SPECIAL ONE FOR JUST THE WHEEL. ONE OF THE NUTS IS LOOSE AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH. THE FAILURE CHEWS AWAY AT THE TREAD OF THE SPINDLE THAT HOLDS THE AXLE. IF THE TREAD CONTINUES TO DISINTEGRATE, THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE HUB THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

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2008-12-16

SEATS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2008-03-01
VIN: 1GBE4V1296F
Components: SEATS
Summary: TRUCK HAS OPTIONAL AIR SUSPENSION SEATS. SEAT RELIES ON COMPRESSOR AND TANK TO BE RAISED OTHERWISE SEAT WILL REMAIN IN LOWEST POSITION. THIS MAY LEAVE DRIVER IN TOO LOW A POSITION TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY AND SEE THE ROAD EFFECTIVELY. TRUCK HAS REPEATEDLY HAD COMPRESSOR, RELAY, PRESSURE SWITCH FAILURES. DEALER HAS REPLACED COMPRESSOR, RELAY, AND PRESSURE SWITCH IN ORDER TO FIX SYSTEM PROBLEMS WHERE COMPRESSOR WHICH RUNS ERRATICALLY, EXCESSIVELY OR NOT AT ALL. LATEST REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACEMENT WITH A SUPPOSEDLY HEAVIER DUTY RELAY. TRUCK IS NOW OUT OF 2 YEAR WARRANTY AND THE COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED AGAIN. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. THEY WARRANTY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR 1 YEAR, WHICH IS JUST BEFORE PARTS FAIL THE NEXT TIME. ONCE WARRANTY IS OVER THEY ARE SUPPOSEDLY NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE RATHER THAN FIXING THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL INSTEAD OF "BAND AIDING IT" TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THIS IS A KNOWN FLAW AND IS LISTED AS A "NOTICE" TO CUSTOMERS AS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES REPLACED ONCE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS 1 1/2 YEARS OLD AND NOW 1 YEAR AFTER THAT, NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY HAVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS JUST PAST THEIR 1 YEAR PARTS WARRANTY. I AM NOW UNABLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER WINDOW. *TR

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2006-06-23

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2006-06-13
VIN: 2GCEK13T961
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AFTER DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS DIFFICULTY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO READ THE APPROPRIATE MILEAGE AND THE GAS GAUGE WENT UP AND DOWN. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED TO MAKE THE BRAKES FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS EVEN DOWN SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.

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2006 Chevrolet C4500 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2006 Chevrolet C4500.

2008-07-28

Manufacturer: KNAPHEIDE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Components: TRAILER HITCHES
Summary: KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.

2008-01-07

Manufacturer: INTERMOTIVE VEHICLE CONTROLS
Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Summary: CERTAIN INTERMOTIVE WHEELCHAIR LIFT INTERLOCK, P/NO. ILIS605-H3 ILIS ACTIVATION KIT (INTERLOCK OPTION FOR GATEWAY 401) SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET FOR 2005 - 2008 CHEVY 560 (C4500 AND C5500 KODIAK) 6.6L DIESEL VEHICLES WHICH A PROTECTION DIODE WAS USED. THE DIODE CAN BE EXPOSED TO VOLTAGE SPIKES GREATER THAN WHAT IT CAN WITHSTAND. THE DIODE COULD FAIL, WHICH COULD PREVENT VEHICLE INTERLOCK OPERATION WHEN A WHEELCHAIR LIFT IS DEPLOYED.
Consequence: SHOULD THE DIODE FAIL, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WHEELCHAIR DEPLOYED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO ANYONE USING THE LIFT.
Remedy: INTERMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT INTERMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-969-6080. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET INTERMOTIVE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON CHEVRLOT AND GMC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS.

2007-10-16

Manufacturer: LINK MANUFACTURING, LTD
Components: SUSPENSION
Summary: CERTAIN LINK ULTRARIDE REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, MODEL 8M000070, SOLD FOR INSTALLATION AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT ON GM CHASSIS MODELS 4500 AND 5500, AMBULANCES AND SHUTTLE BUSES. THE AXLE SIDE LATERAL CONTROL BRACKET OF THE SUSPENSION HAS CRACKED IN SOME CASES.
Consequence: IF THE LATERAL CONTROL ROD BRACKET FRACTURES, THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: LINK WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPAIR KITS FREE OF CHARGE AND WILL REIMBURSE FOR LABOR AND INSPECTION COSTS. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 7, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT LINK TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-222-6283.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2006 Chevrolet C4500 problems:

Common Problems/Issues with c4500/c5500 | Diesel Place

https://www.dieselplace.com/threads/common-problems-issues-with-c4500-c5500.444384/

Jan 15, 2012 ... ok maybe a Freightliner Sportchassis LOL . 2007 Chevy Kodiak 4500 with 22.5s :D DECEMBER 2012 DIESEL PLACE TRUCK ...

GMC 4500 Problems | Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum

https://www.duramaxforum.com/threads/gmc-4500-problems.99268/

Jul 3, 2011 ... We have a 2004 GMC 4500 single axle dump w/Duramax at work that is full of issues. The first oddity is that the motor has a major lope to it ...

Common Problems/Issues with c4500/c5500 | Page 2 | Diesel Place

https://www.dieselplace.com/threads/common-problems-issues-with-c4500-c5500.444384/page-2

2007 Chevy 4500, 4x4, Flat bed, All Stock but not for long :HiHi: HID's!!! 2006 Chevy 3500 C/C DRW, 4X4, CM flatbed, 5" turbo back exhaust, Edge CTS, Banks ...

Chevy C4500 Duramax Q&A: Common Issues & Solutions

https://www.justanswer.com/chevy/9tus8-07-chevy-c4500-duramax-i-m-having-issue.html

Jul 27, 2016 ... So when I reinstalled the batteries the truck started.....but the voltage gauge was reading low, when I turned it off it wouldn't start back up ...