- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 GMC Topkick Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Topkick have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in October 2007 for the steering.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Topkick year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2003 GMC Topkick recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- 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 visit www.Mygmlink.Com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2003 GMC Topkick yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
GMC Topkick: every year compared
All Topkick years2003 GMC Topkick vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 GMC Topkick | 0 | 4 | C | |
| 2003 GMC Envoy XL | 642 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2003 GMC Envoy | 642 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2003 GMC Denali | 32 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2003 GMC C4500 | 6 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2003 GMC C/K Series | 4 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2003 GMC C5500 | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2003 GMC Conventional | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2003 GMC C7500 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 GMC Topkick
Does the 2003 GMC Topkick have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 GMC Topkick: steering (October 2007); fluid (June 2005); hinge and attachments (March 2004); cables (October 2002). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2003 GMC Topkick had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2003 GMC Topkick a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical GMC Topkick year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2003 GMC Topkick has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data