2003 Gmc C4500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
129,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10012110 · 2003-03-19 (March 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095888 · 2004-10-17 (October 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111189 · 2005-03-08 (March 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
Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114889 · 2005-03-10 (March 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170034 · 2006-10-05 (October 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
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10325038 · 2010-04-12 (April 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
Owner-reported narrative. 240,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325038 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V202000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2002-07-26 (July 26, 2002)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗