2006 Chevrolet C4500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 6 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driver heard a loud pop while driving on the highway. Pulled over and saw coolant dripping from the underside of the vehicle. Opening the hood he saw the fan shroud was broken. After being towed we realized that the fan had broken and pieces had hit the shroud shredding it and sending a piece into the radiator. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2013
“Accelerating from stop light, 5:45 cst, 92 degrees/humid, 15mph, 150' into intersection loud noise. Cooling fan disintegrated & took out all hoses, radiator & both radiator shrouds. Currently at dealer, lower radiator hose no longer made. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2011
“Recently, the fan exploded on my 2006 chevrolet c-4500 and destroyed the cowling around the fan and tore holes in the radiator and hoses into the intercooler. I was pulling a heavy 5th wheel rv. Glad it did not happen when I was changing the fuel filter a few days before. Updated 09/23/10 *bf the consumer stated the fan blade failed. The outer ring came apart and destroyed the cowling around the fan and made holes in the radiator causing anti-freeze to leak out. Updated 09/24/10 *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2010
Show 1 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet c4500. The contact stated that there were nuts that hold the bearings and wheels together, including a special one for just the wheel. One of the nuts is loose and moves back and forth. The failure chews away at the tread of the spindle that holds the axle. If the tread continues to disintegrate, the wheel could fall off. The manufacturer stated that the extended warranty did not cover the hub that needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 31,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2009
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact C4500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet C4500 reliable?
NHTSA has 6 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Chevrolet C4500. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet C4500 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.