2003 Chevrolet C5500 problems

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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).

2003 Chevrolet C5500

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Common 2003 Chevrolet C5500 problems

The Chevrolet C5500 from 2003 is known to have several common problems, based on complaints from owners of this car. These issues include:

  • Fuel filter issues: Some owners of the Chevrolet C5500 from 2003 have reported fuel filter issues. This problem can be caused by a faulty fuel filter or a problem with the fuel system. To fix this problem, you can try replacing the fuel filter or checking the fuel system for any issues.
  • Power steering and park brake issues: Some owners of the Chevrolet C5500 from 2003 have reported power steering and park brake issues. This problem can be caused by a faulty power steering pump or a problem with the park brake system. To fix this problem, you can try replacing the power steering pump or checking the park brake system for any issues.
  • Instrument cluster panel (ICP) issues: Some owners of the Chevrolet C5500 from 2003 have reported instrument cluster panel (ICP) issues. This problem can be caused by a faulty ICP or a problem with the wiring. To fix this problem, you can try replacing the ICP or checking the wiring for any issues.

These are some of the common problems with the Chevrolet C5500 from 2003 based on complaints from owners of this car. If you are experiencing any of these issues, you should take your car to a qualified mechanic for further diagnosis and repair.

2003 Chevrolet C5500 engine

What engine is in a C5500?

6.6 V8 Duramax

Specifications for GMC Topkick C5500 Crew Cab 6.6 V8 Duramax Manual, 304hp, 2004.

What class is a C5500?

LocationNationwide MakeGMC ModelC5500 ClassCLASS 6 (GVW 19501 - 26000)

What is the GVWR of a 2004 GMC C5500?

For the 2004 model year, the C5500 model expands GVW offerings up to 26,000 pounds (11,793 kg). The higher GVWRs and longer wheelbases will provide capabilities previously available only on larger Class 6 trucks.

What is the GVWR of a 2006 Chevy C5500?

Stock No: 427686

VIN:427686
Manufacturer:Chevrolet
Model:C5500
GVWR:19500 lbs
Payload Capacity:19500 lbs

What engine is in a C5500?

6.6-liter Duramax V8 diesel

On the GMT560 Kodiak/TopKick, the powertrain configuration was derived from the model specification. On C4500/C5500s, an 8.1-liter V8 was carried over from the previous generation, with a 6.6-liter Duramax V8 diesel replacing the Caterpillar 3116.

Is the Chevy 6.6 diesel problems?

In the 6.6L Duramax, there is a more severe problem. Sometimes the oil leaks into the turbocharger. The real problem is a faulty PCV design. When a PCV valve works properly, it lets waste gases out of the crankcase and prevents other gases from entering.

What is the fuel mileage of a 2005 C5500?

Based on data from 6 vehicles, 297 fuel-ups and 83,372 miles of driving, the 2005 Chevrolet C5500 Kodiak gets a combined Avg MPG of 8.17 with a 0.20 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 28 outliers (8.62%) removed.

Is the 6.6 Turbo diesel a good engine?

Whether you're using your truck to haul heavy loads or tow a trailer, you can count on Duramax to get the job done for well over 100,000 miles without major repairs. In fact, GM covers 2500 and 3500 Series Heavy Duty (HD) Pickups equipped with a 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine for 5 years or 100,000 miles.

2003 Chevrolet C5500 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet C5500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Structure problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2003 Chevrolet C5500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2003 Chevrolet C5500 complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Chevrolet C5500.

2011-07-08

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2011-07-01
  • VIN: 1GBE5E1EX3F
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS, FAN FLEW APART CAUSING DAMAGE TO FAN HOUSING AND RADIATOR. RADIATOR, BLADE, SHROUD, CLUTCH AND COOLANT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
2006-09-14

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-01-01
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: PERSISTENT AND RECURRING FRAME CRACKS AT LOW MILEAGE THAT EXCEED THE NORTH AMERICAN OUT OF SERVICE CRITERIA. MFG REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS. *JB
2004-12-06

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-12-03
  • VIN: 1GBE5V1204F
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: VEHICLE LOST BRAKING POWER WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THE METALLIC HOSE WAS ERUPTED BY A POWER STEERING CLAMP RUBBING AGAINST IT. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2003 Chevrolet C5500 problems:

Common Problems/Issues with c4500/c5500 | Diesel Place
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 ...

Common Duramax AC Problems on Chevy C5500 | JustAnswer
Common Duramax AC Problems on Chevy C5500 | JustAnswer
https://www.justanswer.com/chevy/f6bjn-chevrolet-c5500-duramax-diesel-ac.html

Sep 27, 2020 ... Got a Chevrolet C5500 with a duramax diesel, and the AC compressor keeps coming on and kicking off. it has a full - Answered by a verified ...

Common Problems/Issues with c4500/c5500 | Page 2 | Diesel Place
Common Problems/Issues with c4500/c5500 | Page 2 | Diesel Place
https://www.dieselplace.com/threads/common-problems-issues-with-c4500-c5500.444384/page-2

Common Problems/Issues with c4500/c5500. Jump to ... had ours for 55k and never had motor problems to this day, and bought it brand new. ... Hi I have a 2003 chevy ...

2003 chevy c5500 6.6L Rollback electrical failure | Chevy and GMC ...
2003 chevy c5500 6.6L Rollback electrical failure | Chevy and GMC ...
https://www.duramaxforum.com/threads/2003-chevy-c5500-6-6l-rollback-electrical-failure.30912/

Aug 13, 2009 ... I have an '03 chevy c5500 6.6L duramax rollback wrecker with 108,000 miles. Here recently the truck began to fail starting up like the ...

Q&A: 2006 Chevrolet C5500 Duramax - Common Issues ...
Q&A: 2006 Chevrolet C5500 Duramax - Common Issues ...
https://www.justanswer.com/chevy/hq1a9-ive-2006-chevrolet-c5500-6-6-duramax-feels.html

Sep 17, 2021 ... Ive got a 2006 chevrolet c5500 6.6 duramax feels like it stuck in 3rd/has no power. Only code in compute is U0100. - Answered by a verified ...

Other years of Chevrolet C5500

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2003 Chevrolet C5500 photo