CHEVROLET C5500 · model year

2005 CHEVROLET C5500

10 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005CHEVROLETC5500 carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 C5500 is service brakes with 2 filings, followed by steering (2) and fuel system, other:fuel injection system (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2005 C5500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

10
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

10 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES2
STEERING2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS1
POWER TRAIN1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (2)

07E08600016/10/2007

SUSPENSION

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.

08E00400007/01/2008

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

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 GR

Recent Complaints

20190531STEERING

2005 CHEVROLET C5500 KODIAK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF STEERING FROM THE BRAKE HYDRO BOOSTER PUMP MALFUNCTION. *LD *JS *DT NO VIN AVAILABLE.*JB

20190531SERVICE BRAKES

2005 CHEVROLET C5500 KODIAK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF STEERING FROM THE BRAKE HYDRO BOOSTER PUMP MALFUNCTION. *LD *JS *DT NO VIN AVAILABLE.*JB

20181205SERVICE BRAKES

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 $4500 . VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH RECALL IN THE DATA BASE BUT YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND BRAKING AND STEERING SYSTEMS ARE ALL IDENTICAL TO RECALLS. ON GOING PROBLEM MUST PUT GALLOON OF FLUID IN EVERY WEEK . LAST HOSE BLEW YESTERDAY .

Mileage: 100,000

20181205STEERING

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 $4500 . VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH RECALL IN THE DATA BASE BUT YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND BRAKING AND STEERING SYSTEMS ARE ALL IDENTICAL TO RECALLS. ON GOING PROBLEM MUST PUT GALLOON OF FLUID IN EVERY WEEK . LAST HOSE BLEW YESTERDAY .

Mileage: 100,000

20090619ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 58,856

20080916FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

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, FUEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HIS OTHER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS/ UPDATED 10/21/08.*JB

Mileage: 13,176

20080916SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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, FUEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HIS OTHER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS/ UPDATED 10/21/08.*JB

Mileage: 13,176

20080916STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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, FUEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HIS OTHER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS/ UPDATED 10/21/08.*JB

Mileage: 13,176

20080916POWER TRAIN

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, FUEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HIS OTHER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS/ UPDATED 10/21/08.*JB

Mileage: 13,176

20080916FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

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, FUEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HIS OTHER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS/ UPDATED 10/21/08.*JB

Mileage: 13,176

Compare 2005CHEVROLETC5500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 CHEVROLET C5500 have?
The 2005 CHEVROLET C5500 has 10 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 CHEVROLET C5500?
Yes, the 2005 CHEVROLET C5500 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SUSPENSION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 CHEVROLET C5500?
The most-complained component for the 2005 CHEVROLET C5500 is SERVICE BRAKES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Is the 2005 CHEVROLET C5500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.