RoadVitals

2003 GMC C4500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Apr 12, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 26, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 GMC C4500, most frequently naming the brakes, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 94 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes228.6%
  • Powertrain (other)228.6%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
02V202000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Jul 26, 2002
952 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD RESULT.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 02028View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 12, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10325038
Incident
Apr 11, 2010
Mileage
240,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 5, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10170034
Incident
May 10, 2006
Mileage
180,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10114889
Incident
May 3, 2004
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10111189
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Mileage
3,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 17, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10095888
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
Mileage
79,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 19, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10012110

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC C4500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008110—
2007220—
2006421—
2005220—
2004100—
2003Viewing610—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.