Pulling a loaded trailer up a steep grade on a major highway. Speed was approx. 40Mph. Driver hear a "clunk" noise then the low coolant light came on and then the engine temp started to rise. Pulled over and there was coolant leaking from the front of the truck. Upon further inspection the bottom radiator hose had been cut from the fan that exploded and the fan also tore the fan shroud open too. Summary- fan exploded, which ruined the fan shroud and the lower radiator hose. *Tr
Engine & cooling
GMC C4500 Engine problems by year
5 complaints filed with NHTSA about the GMC C4500's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest C4500 engine complaints
At approximately 2:15 pm on 9/16/2011 this ambulance was traveling at 55-60 mph in route back to the station after dropping a patient at the hospital, the driver reports that there was a load pop!; Followed by a hissing sound under the hood. As he proceeded to move to the shoulder of the road to investigate the problem the driver observed white smoke billowing out the back of the unit. Before he could get stopped; the white smoke began entering the cab through the ac vents. He pulled over and as he and his emt...
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partner exited the vehicle the front end of the truck erupted in flames!!! This could have been a disaster had there been a life emergency in the patient compartment. On 9/19, we had the unit inspected by the sheriff's office forensic division. During the forensic inspection it was observed that the right side alternator had seized and broken in half! When this event occurred it severed the the ac compressor lines and possibly other lines with flammable fluids as there are pressure and return lines for all types of fluids(fuel, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid) located in the immediate vicinity of the alternator. *Kb
Truck lost almost all power and barley moved itself from the travel lanes to the side of the road, had to be towed and after a week in the shop! At my business loss .A crank sensor was determined to be faulty,then an e.G.R valve and finally replaced the p.C.M. Check engine light still on and off and still weak on power. Fuel usage is horrible most of the time 6 -7 mpg. Truck currently towed to another dealer for a transmission problem, it wont move!! I found trans to be almost out of fluid. I check fluids regularly. Truck has 16k on it now. And this is the second tow, the first at 2,000 miles. *Tr
Unfixable front end vibration. Vibration is severe 8-12 mhz @ .27G's. Over 10 attempts to fix with no results. 4 Sets of tires, drag link, panhard bar, 4 turbo down pipes, front rotors and hubs, may other components. Whole body vibration , arm-hand vibration for over 3,000 hrs in one year. *Nm
Vehicle experienced sudden stalling at various speeds when on the road. Taken to the dealer 10 times for checkup, but the cause was still undetermined.*Ak
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data