Total Complaints
11 filings
CHEVROLET C5500 · model year
11 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006CHEVROLETC5500 carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 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 2006 C5500 is suspension:rear:shock absorber with 1 filings, followed by suspension:front (1) and fuel system, diesel (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 3 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 2006 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.
Total Complaints
11 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
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.
EQUIPMENT
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.
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
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.
Mileage: 111,000
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.
Mileage: 111,000
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.
Mileage: 65,000
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
Mileage: 46,043
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.
Mileage: 9,900
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
Mileage: 23,300
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
Mileage: 12,600
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
Mileage: 33,700
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
Mileage: 33,700
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
Mileage: 33,700
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
Mileage: 31,700
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.