Gmc C5500 problems

General information about Gmc C5500
Gmc C5500 years list
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 Gmc C5500 problems

The GMC C5500 is a heavy-duty commercial truck that has been known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues are related to the equipment, suspension, electrical system, and air conditioning.

Suspension Problems: Suspension issues in the GMC C5500 are primarily related to the air ride system. Some owners have reported problems with the air suspension system, including leaks, which can cause the truck to sag or bottom out. This can affect the truck's handling and ride quality, making it difficult to drive or tow heavy loads.

Electrical Problems: Electrical issues in the GMC C5500 can be related to the sensors, wiring, or computer systems. For example, a common problem is the ABS sensors showing incorrect speed readings, which can cause the truck to display the wrong speed on the dashboard. This can lead to shifting issues, as the transmission may not shift properly based on the incorrect speed readings. In some cases, the computer system may need to be reprogrammed to correct these issues.
Air Conditioning Problems: The air conditioning system in the GMC C5500 has been reported to have issues, with some owners reporting that the system blows warm air instead of cold. This can be due to a faulty compressor, low refrigerant levels, or a problem with the air conditioning system's electrical components.

In summary, the GMC C5500 has several common problems related to equipment, suspension, electrical systems, and air conditioning. These issues can affect the truck's performance, handling, and ride quality, making it essential for owners to address them promptly to ensure the safety and reliability of their vehicles.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Gmc C5500 years

We have researched Gmc problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Gmc C5500 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Gmc C5500 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Gmc C5500 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Gmc C5500 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Gmc C5500 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Gmc C5500 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

Engine and engine cooling problems
Power train problems
Suspension problems
Steering problems
Unknown or other problems

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

The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Gmc C5500 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Gmc C5500 vehicles.

List of Gmc C5500 complaints

Gmc C5500 2005

Date Of Incident: 2018-11-05
Date Complaint: 2018-11-05
VIN: 1GDE5E1275F
Components: STEERING
Summary: GM HAD A RECALL IN 2007 FOR MEDIUM SIZE TRUCK FOR STEERING BOX PROBLEM FOR STEERING WHEEL BEING OUT OF CENTER AND NOISE OR HARD SPOTS IN STEERING. THE RECALL NO. IS 07220. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK APPX 2 YRS AGO NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL A FRIEND SUGGESTED DOING SOME RESEARCH. VIN NUMBERS AFFECTED BY RECALL IN 2005 WERE [XXX]. MINE BEING [XXX] CLEARLY FALLS WITHIN THE RANGE. IT SAYS IF STEERING BOX NUMBER IS EARLIER THAN BUILD DATE IT HAS BEEN FIXED OR BUILD DATE IS AFTER SOME TIME IN 2007 THEY ARE OKAY.. MY TRUCK ONLY HAD 13,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND NOW HAS 20,000. IT SAYS IF MANUFACTURING DATE IS SAME AS TRUCK BUILD DATE IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED. THE STEERING BOX AND THE TRUCK HAVE THE SAME BUILD DATE APRIL 2005. (0405) I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND SINCE THE VIN CHECK COMES BACK CLEAN THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. I EVEN HAD A PARTS GUY AT GM DEALER TELL ME THAT A CLEAN VIN CHECK ISN'T ABNORMAL IF THE RECALL IS OLDER. IT SAYS IN THE RECALL THE BOX COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF NOT FIXED. ANY HELP YOU COULD DO FOR WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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Gmc C5500 2008

Date Of Incident: 2012-02-06
Date Complaint: 2014-03-25
VIN: 1GDE5C3908F
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: VEHICLE WOULD STOP, OR WOULD RUN WITHOUT BRAKES (ABS) AND WOULD NOT CRANK. THEN IT WOULD CRANK. WAS TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THAT IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS. WE BELIEVE IT IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND GMC SHOULD RECALL IT. GMC HAS ALREADY ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SB-09-06-03-004A 09/01/2009 SB-09-06-03-004B 10032332. PLEASE CONTACT US BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS OWNED BY THE TOWN OF LIVERMORE, MAINE, AND WE NEED IT TO WORK. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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Gmc C5500 2007

Date Of Incident: 2009-08-18
Date Complaint: 2009-08-18
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A CARRIER UNDER THE NAME OF CROSS COUNTRY TRANSPORT. THE DRIVERS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE ONROUTE FROM TEXAS TO MICHIGAN. NEITHER DRIVER HAS A CDL AND ONE OF THE DRIVERS HAS PROBATION OUT OF MICHIGAN AND IS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. BASIC DESCRIPTION OF THIS VEHICLE IS A 2007 GMC TOPKICK HAULING A "RACING CAR" TRAILER. BOTH TRAILER AND TRUCKER ARE WHITE IN COLOR TRAILER IS A TRI-AXLE "RACE-CAR" TRAILER. *TR

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Gmc C5500 2006

Date Of Incident: 2009-05-15
Date Complaint: 2009-05-27
VIN: 1GDE5C1256F
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: I HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS THAT MORNING. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT FOR ONE CYCLE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR I HEARD AND FELT A BANG AND CRUNCH. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BUT I STARTED TO SMELL COOLANT. I STOPPED TO FIND THE COOLING FAN TORN APART, FAN SHROUD WITH MANY HOLES IN IT, AND THE RADIATOR WITH MULTIPLE HOLES. ALL THE COOLANT HAD EMPTIED ONTO THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. AFTER THE DEALERS INVESTIGATION THE SERVICE WRITER STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS FAILURE MANY TIMES BEFORE AND THE CAUSE IS ONE OF TWO POSSIBLE SCENARIOS: THE FAN SHROUD HIT THE FAN, WHICH CAUSED THE BREAKUP OF THE FAN AND DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR, OR FIRST THE FAN CAME APART AND CAUSED THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE. THE REQUIRED PARTS ARE FAN, FAN SHROUD, AND RADIATOR. *TR

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Gmc C5500 2005

Date Of Incident: 2008-09-12
Date Complaint: 2008-09-18
VIN: 1GBE5C1245F
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: I PURCHASED THREE C-5500 TRUCKS. AS OF NOW I HAVE TWO TRUCKS WITH FAILED ENGINES DUE TO PREVIOUS INJECTOR FAILURE. I AM CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY BUT NOT BEFORE I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS MAKING MORE NOISE THAN NORMAL. I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD TO BE BROKEN BEFORE IT COULD BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THAT WAS 60,000 MILES AGO. WHICH SHOULD NOT BE MAJOR MILEAGE FOR A DIESEL ENGINE. *TR

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Gmc C5500 2005

Date Of Incident: 2008-09-14
Date Complaint: 2008-09-18
VIN: 1GBE5C1265F
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: I OWN 3 CHEVORLET C-5500 TRUCKS. TWO OUT OF THE THREE HAVE HAD INJECTOR FAILURE. AFTER THE INJECTOR FAILURE THE TRUCKS ENGINE SEEM TO BE NOISIER. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE AND WAS TOLD IT HAS TO BE BROKEN BEFORE REPAIRSCAN BE PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAVE TWO TRUCKS WITH MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO THE PREVIOUS INJECTOR FAILURES. *TR

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Gmc C5500 2003

Date Of Incident: 2004-08-06
Date Complaint: 2005-01-11
VIN: 1GDE5E1103F
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: MY TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 22000 MILES ON IT IT IS 2003 GMC 5500 THE REAR WHEEL SEAL ON THE DRIVER SIDE GOES OUT, CAUSING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE ROAD ISN'T WET OR SLIPPERY DOSE NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME MAKING IT HARD TO STOP SOME TIMES CAUSES RUNNING STOP LIGHTS OR SINGS I HAVE HAD THIS WORKED ON 3 TIMES NO BODY AT GMC TAKES THIS SIERIOUS. PLEAS HELP ME . *AK

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Gmc C5500 2003

Date Of Incident: 2004-04-01
Date Complaint: 2004-04-09
VIN: 1GDE5E1123F
Components: SUSPENSION
Summary: SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, CAUSING ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. EXTREME ROAD NOISE AND RUMBLE AT HIGH SPEEDS. *AK

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Latest 5 recalls Gmc C5500

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 11 recalls for different components of the Gmc C5500.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

Model: Gmc C5500 2008
Report Received Date: 2014-04-08
Manufacturer: DUECO Inc.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Summary: DUECO Inc. (DUECO), a manufacturer of utility vehicles, is recalling certain Dueco-modified model year 2009-2011 International 4300, 2010 International 4400, 2009 and 2011 International 7400, 2010 Freightliner M2, 2008-2009 GMC C5500, and 2011 Ford F-750 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power DC-DC converters containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
Consequence: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: DUECO will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the converters, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Dueco at 1-800-558-4004.

Model: Gmc C5500 2006
Report Received Date: 2012-12-12
Manufacturer: Creative Bus Sales, Inc.
Components: EQUIPMENT
Summary: Creative Bus Sales, Inc is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Chevrolet and GMC C5500, and Ford E450, and Econoline 350 vehicles equipped with Braun wheelchair lifts. Over time, or with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts may become bent or misaligned.
Consequence: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair's occupant could fall and sustain injury.
Remedy: Braun is conducting this recall on behalf of Creative Bus Sales. Braun will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2012. Owners may contact Creative Bus at 1-888-633-8380 or Braun at 1-800-488-0359.

Model: Gmc C5500 2007
Report Received Date: 2009-11-19
Manufacturer: CUES, INC.
Components: EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Summary: CUES, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 SERVICE VEHICLES BUILT ON VARIOUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.
Consequence: THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: CUES IS WORKING WITH CARRIER TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR CUES AT 1-407-849-0190.

Model: Gmc C5500 2006
Report Received Date: 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.

Model: Gmc C5500 2005
Report Received Date: 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.