2006 Chevrolet C5500

Routine

Owners filed 8 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › rear › shock absorber. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber1
000
Suspension › Rear1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
010
Engine1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment12V584000
Filed Dec 12, 2012227 vehiclesCreative Bus Sales, Inc.

Defect. Creative Bus Sales, Inc is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Chevrolet and GMC C5500, and Ford E450, and Econoline 350 vehicles equipped with Braun wheelchair lifts. Over time, or with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts may become bent or misaligned.

Risk. A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair's occupant could fall and sustain injury.

Remedy. Braun is conducting this recall on behalf of Creative Bus Sales. Braun will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2012. Owners may contact Creative Bus at 1-888-633-8380 or Braun at 1-800-488-0359.

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility08E004000
Filed Jan 7, 2008250 vehiclesIntermotive Vehicle Controls

Defect. CERTAIN INTERMOTIVE WHEELCHAIR LIFT INTERLOCK, P/NO. ILIS605-H3 ILIS ACTIVATION KIT (INTERLOCK OPTION FOR GATEWAY 401) SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET FOR 2005 - 2008 CHEVY 560 (C4500 AND C5500 KODIAK) 6.6L DIESEL VEHICLES WHICH A PROTECTION DIODE WAS USED. THE DIODE CAN BE EXPOSED TO VOLTAGE SPIKES GREATER THAN WHAT IT CAN WITHSTAND. THE DIODE COULD FAIL, WHICH COULD PREVENT VEHICLE INTERLOCK OPERATION WHEN A WHEELCHAIR LIFT IS DEPLOYED.

Risk. SHOULD THE DIODE FAIL, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WHEELCHAIR DEPLOYED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO ANYONE USING THE LIFT.

Remedy. INTERMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT INTERMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-969-6080. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET INTERMOTIVE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON CHEVRLOT AND GMC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS.

Suspension07E086000
Filed Oct 16, 2007367 vehiclesLink Manufacturing, Ltd

Defect. CERTAIN LINK ULTRARIDE REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, MODEL 8M000070, SOLD FOR INSTALLATION AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT ON GM CHASSIS MODELS 4500 AND 5500, AMBULANCES AND SHUTTLE BUSES. THE AXLE SIDE LATERAL CONTROL BRACKET OF THE SUSPENSION HAS CRACKED IN SOME CASES.

Risk. IF THE LATERAL CONTROL ROD BRACKET FRACTURES, THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy. LINK WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPAIR KITS FREE OF CHARGE AND WILL REIMBURSE FOR LABOR AND INSPECTION COSTS. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 7, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT LINK TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-222-6283.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Feb 15, 2017111,000 milesNM

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Nov 2, 201565,000 milesSD

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.

Engine
Filed May 19, 201246,043 milesWA

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] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Feb 1, 20129,900 milesCA

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed Sep 15, 201023,300 milesCA

FAN BLADE FAILURE ON A 2006 CHEVY KODIAK BASED JAYCO SENECA 34SS MOTORHOME. THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE SEPTEMBER 5, 2009. I WAS ON A FREEWAY AT 65 AND STARTED DOWN A LONG HILL WITH THE EXHAUST BRAKE SWITCH ON. WHEN THE EXHAUST BRAKE KICKED IN INSTEAD OF DROPPING DOWN ONE GEAR AND HOLDING THE SPEED STEADY AS I AM USED TO THE TRANSMISSION WENT DOWN TWO GEARS AND THE RPMS INSTANTLY WENT STRAIGHT UP. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW HIGH THE RPMS WENT BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN THE FAN BLADE LET GO AND I WAS TOO BUSY LOOKING AT OTHER THINGS TO NOTICE. THE PIECES WENT STRAIGHT UP PUNCHING 3 HOLES IN THE SHROUD AND DENTING THE HOOD ENOUGH TO CRACK THE PAINT. NO PHOTOS OR PIECES OF EITHER THE FAN OR SHROUD ARE AVAILABLE. WITH HOSES, CABLES AND ELECTRICAL WIRES ALL AROUND THE FAN AREA I AM AMAZED THAT NONE OF THEM WERE DAMAGED AND NO BRAKING, STEERING OR OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE FAN AND SHROUD WERE REPLACED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER INCIDENTS. UPDATED IVOQ 09/20/10 *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jul 26, 200912,600 milesMI

REAR SPRINGS ON A 2006 GULFSTREAM MOTORHOME WITH A CHEVY C-5500 CHASSIS. REAR SITS LOW AND HAS POOR HANDLING. HAD AT TRUCK SHOP AND SAID SPRINGS ARE UNDERRATED. CALLED GULFSTREAM AND SAID IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TRUCK SHOP HAD MOTOR HOME WEIGHED AND WAS NOT OVER WEIGHT. RIG HAS 15000 LBS SPRINGS AND SHOULD HAVE 19000 INSTEAD. TALKED TO A JIM CREACH AT 1-800-289-8787 FROM GULFSTREAM. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 14, 200733,700 milesLA

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET C 5500 WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 33700 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT END PROBLEMS. WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS 50 MPH OF HIGHER THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND BOUNCED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES , AND THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A COMMERCIAL TIRE COMPANY, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, INSTALLED CASTER SHIN LEFT AND RIGHT, REPLACED DRAG LINK, DRAG LINKED FAULTY, CUSTOMER REPLACED LEFT FRONT TIRE. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROAD CANT KEEP STEADY. THE VEHICLE HAD A KNOCK WITH THE #8 AND #4 CYLINDER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTED. CUSTOMER STATES FUEL PUMP HAD LEAK AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. DEALER REPLACED THE INJECTOR PUMP, PUMP GEAR AND PUMP BRACKET. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT ON, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. CONSUMER STATES LEAKING FUEL AT REAR OF ENGINE CAUSED HOSE ON TOP OF PUMP TO COME OFF. DEALER REPLACED CLAMP ON FUEL HOSE. CONSUMER STATES LOWER HEADLINER TO WATER TEST FOUND ALL CAB LIGHTS AND SEALS CRACKED. DEALER REPLACED 5 CAB LIGHTS. CONSUMER STATES RAIN COMING IN AT TOP CENTER BETWEEN SUNVISOR CAUSED LIGHTS TO CRACK. DEALER REPLACED EXTERIOR LENS. UPDATED 04/09*TR

Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber
Filed Jan 5, 200731,700 milesIL

TL* - THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF ANY DEFECTS NOR DID HE NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY SHOCKS UNTIL ALL FOUR REAR TIRES STARTED TO WEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES SHOULD NOT HAVE SHOWN SIGNS OF WEAR THE WAY THEY DID AT 31,000 MILES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY REAR SHOCKS, AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THE TRUCK SHOULD HAVE THE SHOCKS. *AK

8 of 8 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20090200Routine
20081500Routine
20072600Routine
2006 — this page8310Routine
20054200Routine
20041000Routine
20033000Routine

Compare every C5500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 12, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.