Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Chevrolet C5500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

3 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

30,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior133.3%
Steering behavior133.3%

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
Structure:Frame And Members
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings1
Structure:Frame And Members1

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 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.

2004
1
2006
1
2011
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20041
20061
20111

2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2011: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10103167 · 2004-12-06 (December 6, 2004)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103167 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10168304 · 2006-09-14 (September 14, 2006)

PERSISTENT AND RECURRING FRAME CRACKS AT LOW MILEAGE THAT EXCEED THE NORTH AMERICAN OUT OF SERVICE CRITERIA. MFG REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168304 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10411540 · 2011-07-08 (July 8, 2011)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 43,170 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411540 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

3 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage3 / 3 records
100.0%Valid incident date3 / 3 records
100.0%Valid filing date3 / 3 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates3 / 3 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component2003200420052006200720082009
Service Brakes
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

250.0%
ODI 11156391 · 100,000 mi

2005 CHEVY KODIAK C5500 DURAMAX DIESEL 6.6L - HYDROMAX BRAKE SYSTEM POWER STEERING HYDRALIC BRAKE BOOSTER IN FIRE WALL BREAKS CAUSING LEAKAGE AND HOSE RUPTURES OCCURS WHEREAS BRAKING AND STEERING IS LOST. GM DENIES EVEN THOUGH 2 RECALLS ISSUED FOR PROBLEM ( 2005-02-08 AND 2005-06-20) . THE VEHICLE LOST BOTH BRAKES AND STEERING COMING DOWN HILL WITH LOAD OF CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS. TWO GM CHEVY DEALERSHIPS DENIED PROBLEM AND MASTER CYCLINDER WAS REPLACED AT PRIVATE GARAGE. MADE 3 ATTEMPTS AT DEALERSHIPS TO FIX THE LEAK AND ESTIMATES WERE OVER $4…

Look up ODI 11156391 at NHTSA ↗

112.5%
ODI 10954825 · 111,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET C5500. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH THE AIR BRAKES ENGAGED, THE BRAKE ALARM SOUNDED AND THE CHECK BRAKES WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Look up ODI 10954825 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10274362 · 58,856 mi

THIS 2005 CHEVROLET C 5500, STALLED WHILE IDLING. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER WHEREUPON DIAGNOSIS THE WIRING HARNESS ACROSS THE TOP OF THE ENGINE BUT UNDER THE AIRCLEANER WAS RUBBED THROUGH AND SHORTED OUT. ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN WHO WORKED ON IT THE CLEARANCE WAS SO TIGHT THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THE WIRING HARNESS WITHOUT IT CHAFING FROM MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE HARNESS. *TR

Look up ODI 10274362 at NHTSA ↗

112.5%
ODI 10954825 · 111,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET C5500. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH THE AIR BRAKES ENGAGED, THE BRAKE ALARM SOUNDED AND THE CHECK BRAKES WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Look up ODI 10954825 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 10459001 · 46,043 mi

PULLING HARD UP MUDDY PASS WESTBOUND ON HWY 40 IN COLORADO IN MY KODIAK 5500 BASED 2006 JAYCO SENECA AND THE FAN EXPLODED TAKING OUT RADIATOR, SHROUD AND PUTTING A HOLE IN HOOD. DIDN'T SEE ANY DEBRIS BEFORE WHOLE THING LET LOOSE. THANKFULLY WE WERE VERY CLOSE TO TOP NEAR EAST SUMMIT OF RABBIT EARS AND THERE WAS A WIDE PULL OFF TO LEFT AND GOT OFF SAFELY. TOWED INTO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND AWAITING PARTS ON MONDAY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM APPARENTLY. IS GM TAKING CARE OF THIS? IF SO, HOW DO I PROCEED?? ANY AND ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED.[XXX] INF…

Look up ODI 10459001 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10555775 · 34,500 mi

I BROUGHT A 2007 CHEVY C5500 WITH DURAMAX DIESEL BECAUSE IT WAS CAME WITH GREAT REVIEWS ONLY TO LEARN THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM IS KNOW TO BEST THE WORST AND THE MOST COMMON IS THE INJECTORS AND INJECTOR PUMP. THIS IS IN THE DURAMAX AND CAT MOTORS. THIS MOTOR HAS EFFECTIVE THE US CITIZENS FOR TO LONG. *TR

Look up ODI 10555775 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10242434 · 13,176 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET C 5500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TWENTY MILES AFTER NOTICING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT ONE OF THE INJECTORS FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,200. *UPDATED 10/20/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, ROTORS, BRAKE LINES ABS, F…

Look up ODI 10242434 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10239632 · 4,078 mi

AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT OR EXTENDED PERIODS THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER BRAKES..... AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT I STARTED THE CAR AND STARTED BACKING UP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR........ USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK..........IF YOU SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND LET VACUUM BUILD IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET! TAKING IN NEXT WEEK.......GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT NO FIX IS APPARENT AT THIS TIME..........I KNOW OF 1 BUY BACK AND MANY ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. *TR

Look up ODI 10239632 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Steering
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

250.0%
ODI 11156391 · 100,000 mi

2005 CHEVY KODIAK C5500 DURAMAX DIESEL 6.6L - HYDROMAX BRAKE SYSTEM POWER STEERING HYDRALIC BRAKE BOOSTER IN FIRE WALL BREAKS CAUSING LEAKAGE AND HOSE RUPTURES OCCURS WHEREAS BRAKING AND STEERING IS LOST. GM DENIES EVEN THOUGH 2 RECALLS ISSUED FOR PROBLEM ( 2005-02-08 AND 2005-06-20) . THE VEHICLE LOST BOTH BRAKES AND STEERING COMING DOWN HILL WITH LOAD OF CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS. TWO GM CHEVY DEALERSHIPS DENIED PROBLEM AND MASTER CYCLINDER WAS REPLACED AT PRIVATE GARAGE. MADE 3 ATTEMPTS AT DEALERSHIPS TO FIX THE LEAK AND ESTIMATES WERE OVER $4…

Look up ODI 11156391 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 10446152 · 9,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET C5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND A FIRE ERUPTED ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,900.

Look up ODI 10446152 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
133.3%
ODI 10411540 · 43,170 mi

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

Look up ODI 10411540 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 10787659 · 65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET C5500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAN BLADE PUNCTURED THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

Look up ODI 10787659 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemToo few reports for a range43,170 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10411540 · 43,170 mi

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

Look up ODI 10411540 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsToo few reports for a range3,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10103167 · 3,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10103167 at NHTSA ↗

Structure:Frame And MembersToo few reports for a range30,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10168304 · 30,000 mi

PERSISTENT AND RECURRING FRAME CRACKS AT LOW MILEAGE THAT EXCEED THE NORTH AMERICAN OUT OF SERVICE CRITERIA. MFG REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS. *JB

Look up ODI 10168304 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2008: 1 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008111
2009000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2008100
2009000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsStructure:Frame And Members
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System—00
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings0—0
Structure:Frame And Members00—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 33.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 3,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10103167 · 3,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10103167 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b