2003 Chevrolet Kodiak recalls & complaints

1. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 KODIAK.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V469000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-630-2438.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 KODIAK.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V288000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 KODIAK.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V267000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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.

What could happen: 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 fix: 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…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2003 KODIAK.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V129000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-982-2339.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Engine (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.