2003 Chevrolet Kodiak

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering07V469000
Filed Oct 4, 2007990 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS, THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED INCORRECTLY. A STEERING GEAR WITH THIS CONDITION MAY PRODUCE THE FEELING OF HITTING A CURB AND A CRACKING OR PINGING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED.

Risk. THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY BE OFF-CENTER AND INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED WHEN TURNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CERTAIN DATE CODES AND VERIFY THE MILEAGE ON STEERING GEARS AND REPLACE GEARS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid05V288000
Filed Jun 16, 20056,698 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR 4500/5500 SERIES CHEVROLET KODIAK, SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, AND GMC TOPKICK VEHICLES; AND 2003-2004 MODEL YEAR GMC SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L ENGINE AND HYDROMAX BRAKE SYSTEM. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. A HOLE COULD BE WORN IN THE HOSE AND A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID WOULD OCCUR.

Risk. IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FLUID LOSS, THE DRIVER WILL HEAR A NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND WARNING TONE WILL ACTIVATE. INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR STEERING AND BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. GM WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE POWER STEERING HOSE. IF THE STEEL BRAIDING OF THE HOSE IS EXPOSED, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 866-996-9463.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments04V129000
Filed Mar 17, 20043,662,211 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Risk. ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables02V267000
Filed Oct 1, 2002276 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINE (LG5) OPTION WERE BUILT WITH A MISROUTED BATTERY CABLE THAT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CONDUIT AND THE NYLON CABLE COATING COULD DEGRADE TO THE POINT WHERE THE COPPER WIRE STRANDS OF THE CABLE ARE EXPOSED.

Risk. IF THE CABLE STRANDS CONTACTED THE EXHAUST PIPE A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE COATINGS TO IGNITE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE FOR PROPER ROUTING AND REROUTE THE CABLE IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jun 5, 201569,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET KODIAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20080100Routine
200710510Routine
20062500Routine
20053300Routine
20045500Routine
2003 — this page1400Routine
20011000Routine
19961100Routine
19951100Routine
19942000Routine
19931200Routine

Compare every Kodiak 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: Oct 4, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.