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2003 GMC C4500 problems

The most common problem on the 2003 GMC C4500 is brakes. It has 3.0 times the complaints of a typical C4500 model year.

Typical year3.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
94
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2003 GMC C4500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Engine
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Tires
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Engine
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 1

Suspension: rearReported July 26, 2002 · 952 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 02V202000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2003 GMC C4500

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 GMC C4500 94

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 94 bulletins for the 2003 GMC C4500

What 2003 GMC C4500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 12, 2010 · Tires · 240,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Oct 5, 2006 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · 00

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.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Engine · OK

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.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Brakes, Transmission · 3,300 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 17, 2004 · Brakes · 79,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Mar 19, 2003 · Lights · AZ

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

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Questions about the 2003 GMC C4500

Is the 2003 GMC C4500 reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2003 GMC C4500, 3.0 times a typical C4500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC C4500?

Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is transmission (2).

How many recalls does the 2003 GMC C4500 have?

1 recall, covering suspension.

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