Chevrolet C4500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the Chevrolet C4500 (2003–2006) that have at least 5 complaints. 2006 has the most, with 6. Across all years, the part named most often is engine cooling (6 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All C4500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | 31,000 | 1 | 147 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 5 | 57,000 | 1 | 90 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine cooling6 43%
- Electrical system3 21%
- Wheels1 7.1%
- Suspension1 7.1%
- Seats1 7.1%
- Fuel system1 7.1%
- Brakes1 7.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2006: “Recently, the fan exploded on my 2006 Chevrolet c-4500 and destroyed the cowling around the fan and tore holes in the radiator and hoses into the intercooler. I was pulling a heavy 5th wheel rv. Glad it did not happen when I was changing the fuel filter a few days before. Updated 09/23/10 the consumer stated the fan blade failed. The outer ring came apart and destroyed the cowling around the fan and made holes in the radiator causing anti-freeze to leak out. Updated 09/24/10”
NHTSA complaint #10355916, filed 2010-09, 62,000 miles2003: “After months of hard starting the engine, thinking it was the cold weather, older glow plugs, it turned out to be not enough pressure in the fuel system. The fuel injectors are leaking diesel fuel into the crankcase. Chevy has know of this problem for some time. They want 4500.00 to replace the injectors. The oil is contaminated and can catch on fire. I do not know if there is further damage to the cylinders or pistons or other components due to driving with contaminated oil. Chevy says to bad. Roll the dice on the repair or buy a new truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10424221, filed 2011-09, 65,000 milesOther Chevrolet models
19,366 complaintsChevrolet Silverado 1500
18,111 complaintsChevrolet Impala
10,408 complaintsChevrolet Tahoe
10,060 complaintsChevrolet Equinox
9,208 complaintsChevrolet Silverado
8,790 complaintsChevrolet Blazer
8,199 complaintsChevrolet Suburban
8,170 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology