VehicleVerdict

2003 Chevrolet Kodiak problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Kodiak years?

Kodiak NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted14 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 5 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 1 complaints2001: 1 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 5 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 14 complaints2008: 0 complaints
Kodiak NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Kodiak years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1100%

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V469000SteeringOctober 4, 2007 · 990 units

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.

Consequence

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.

05V288000BrakesJune 16, 2005 · 6,698 units

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.

Consequence

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.

04V129000Body & StructureMarch 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 units

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.

Consequence

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.

02V267000Electrical SystemOctober 1, 2002 · 276 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 2, 2015

2003 Chevrolet Kodiak — common questions

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.