2003 Gmc C4500 problems
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 2003 Gmc C4500 problems
The GMC C4500 2003 is known for several problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the common issues:
- Transmission Issues:
Transmission issues are also common in the GMC C4500 2003, such as the transmission not shifting out of first gear unless the truck is turned off and on again.
- Engine Lope and Loss of Power:
Some owners of the GMC C4500 2003 have reported a major lope to the engine, which can cause the truck to jolt forward while sitting still, as well as intermittent loss of power and smoke.
Overall, the GMC C4500 2003 is known for several common problems, including check engine light and reduced engine power, intermittent electrical problems, instrument cluster issues, transmission issues, and engine lope and loss of power. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors and can be addressed through various troubleshooting and repair methods.
2003 Gmc C4500 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc C4500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Tires problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2003 Gmc C4500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2003 Gmc C4500 complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Gmc C4500.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-04-11
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: PURCHASES TIRES IN JUNE 2009 -- UPON INSPECTION THIS WEEKEND 4/11/2010 WE NOTICED LARGE CRACKS IN THE TIRES ALMOST LIKE IT WAS SEPARATING. WE BROUGHT THEM TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED US $100 TO REPLACE THEM AFTER ADMITTING THAT THE TIRES HAD FAILED AND WERE DEFECTIVE. *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-05-10
- VIN: 1GDE4E11X3F
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THROW BEARING WEARS OUT EVERY 40,000 KM. BELL HOUSING GONE AT 180,000 KM'S, REAR END WORE OUT AT 182,000 KMS AND FORTH GEAR GONE IN TRANSMISSION AT 183,000, DASH CLUSTER GONE AT 188,000. MANUFACTURE OR DEALER WOULD NOT COVER ANYTHING. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-05-03
- VIN: 1GDE4E1E23F
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN STALLING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN ON THE ROAD. TAKEN TO THE DEALER 10 TIMES FOR CHECKUP, BUT THE CAUSE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-05
- VIN: 1GDE4C1184F
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH GREASE FROM THE REAR END LEAKING ONTO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING IN THAT WHEEL. DEALER REPLACED THE GREASE SEAL WITH AN UPGRADED SEAL SIX TIMES, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK REAL GREASE SEAL WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER BOLT FELL OUT CAUSING THE CALIPER TO RUB THE INSIDE OF THE INNER DUAL WHEEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CALIPER AND WHEEL. *TC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-10-01
- VIN: 1GDE4E1143F
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: MY ENGINE STALLED DUE TO CONTAMINATED FUEL. WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE ON POSITION, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP. I PRESSED THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BACKUP BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE. I REPEATED PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TWO MORE TIMES. I UNDERSTOOD. I WAS CLOSING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND THE ONE IN FRONT OF ME APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL, RED. THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH FAILED TO INITIATE THE RELAYS AND PUMP. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAD PRACTICALLY NO BRAKES OTHER THAN THE DRUM BRAKE BY HAND BRAKE HANDLE. I APPLIED THE HAND BRAKE. GOOD THING I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR, WITHOUT CARGO, AND HAD MORE THAN 400 FEET TO STOP. I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AT THE RED LIGHT. THE HAND BRAKE WORKED. AT HIGHER SPEED, THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE KILLED PEOPLE. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO ENGINE BRAKE EFFECT BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED. GOING DOWNHILL AFTER FUELING AND THEN PULLING MY TRAILER AS WELL IF IT HAD BEEN LOADED, WOULD THE RESULTS HAD BEEN THE SAME AT THE RED LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL OR RAIL ROAD TRACK BRIDGE? SOMEONE WOULD HAVE DIED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A BYPASS SWITCH INSTALLED NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL TO MANUALLY TURN THE PUMP ON. AND THE SWITCH ON THE PEDAL NEEDS TO BE A MECHANICAL ONE LIKE THE ONES THAT HAVE OPERATED TAILLIGHTS FOR THE LAST FIFTY YEARS. STICK WITH WHAT WORKS. *JB
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1GDE4E1133F
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED A SPEED OF 50 MPH, THE HEAD LIGHTS DIMMED. *JB WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED PROPERLY, THEY DO NOT ALLOW THE PROPER LIGHT ON THE ROAD AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH. DEALER DID NOT SEE THE PROBLEM. SCC
2003 Gmc C4500 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2003 Gmc C4500.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD RESULT.
- 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.
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