Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2004 Chevrolet Kodiak recalls
Steering
NHTSA campaign 07V469000 · reported October 4, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 990 vehicles potentially affected
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid
NHTSA campaign 05V288000 · reported June 16, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 6,698 vehicles potentially affected
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic
NHTSA campaign 05V043000 · reported February 8, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 77,411 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
- The risk
- If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
- The fix
- Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Structure: body, tailgate, hinge and attachments
NHTSA campaign 04V129000 · reported March 17, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
NHTSA campaign 04V123000 · reported March 10, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 2,037 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain trucks, the switch retainer holding the brake booster push rod and the brake pedal together could be missing.
- The risk
- This could cause the push rod and pedal to separate, resulting in a loss of foundation brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and install a new retainer if missing. Owner notification began march 5, 2004. 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 gmcict at 1-800-862-4389.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Jun 19, 2006 · Power train · 40,000 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. AT 20,000 MILES, THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING BACKED OUT AND AT 87,000 MILES, THE DRAG LINK FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWN SHIFTED TO 20 MPH WITH NO EFFORT FROM THE CONTACT. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPM WILL NOT GO BEYOND…
May 18, 2006 · Steering · 51,631 miles
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FOR SERVICE BRAKES CAME ON. SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CHASSIS, AND FRAME. OUTSIDE BRAKE LINE FROM THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR HAD A HOLE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. CAUSE OF WORN BRAKE LINE WAS FROM THE POWER…
Feb 17, 2006 · Suspension · 28,000 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AT ANY SPEED. THIS CAUSED ABNORMAL WEAR TO THE FRONT TIRES, THE TIRES MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 10,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT DETERMINED THE TIRES ARE NOT RATED TO CARRY THE LOAD OF THE VEHICLE.
Oct 20, 2005 · Engine and engine cooling · 6,200 miles · crash reported
DT: THE CONTACT EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH THE DIESEL ENGINE DYING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL, BUT SIMPLY DIED AT ONCE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS A WARNING, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF . THE VEHICLE WAS USED AS A HAULER THAT PULLED A TRAILER DELIVERING BOATS. WHEN THE…
Oct 5, 2004 · Power train · 37,000 miles
CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO KEEP VEHICLE STRAYED OUT OF THE LANE. FRONT END HAD BEEN DONE EIGHT TIMES. THE REAR AXLE WAS MOUNTED WRONGLY ON THE VEHICLE.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 19, 2006.