Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 1993 Chevrolet C35 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2000.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 66
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C35. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 67
13% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1993 Chevrolet C35
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
834.8%
Brakes
313.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
313.0%
Equipment & Accessories
14.3%
Seats
14.3%
Wheels
14.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Tires
14.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.3%
Lights
14.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Steering
14.3%
Electrical System
14.3%
Engine & Cooling
14.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 4Sep 2000
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
OAK Grove, KYCrash
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE, TREAD FROM TIRE WAS BANGING AGAINST VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. DRIVER LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE WENT INTO AN ENBANKMENT. RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREND SEPARATED, AND VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TIRE IS TBC INC 235-85R16. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WILL CONTACT CHEVROLET. HE WASN'T HURT.
NHTSA complaint #871193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sweeny, TXFire
INTERIOR LIGHTING
TRUCK WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT THE FIRE DEPATMENT INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR DOME LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #974774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverwoods, 00Crash
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
VEHICLES REAR STUDS ON WHEELS BROKE INSIDE THE HUB ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. TT
NHTSA complaint #961536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
OAK Grove, KYCrash
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE, TREAD FROM TIRE WAS BANGING AGAINST VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. DRIVER LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE WENT INTO AN ENBANKMENT. RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREND SEPARATED, AND VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TIRE IS TBC INC 235-85R16. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WILL CONTACT CHEVROLET. HE WASN'T HURT.
NHTSA complaint #871193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleville, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WE OWN A 1993 CHEVROLET 1 TON DUALLY PICKUP TRUCK, AND TO THIS DATE WE ARE STILL PAYING ON A LOAN FOR THIS TRUCK. WHILE WASHING THE TRUCK 2 WEEKS AGO, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PICKUP BOX HAD BROKEN LOOSE FROM THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. NOT KNOWING AT THIS POINT EXACTLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED, I GOT THE TRUCK TO A HOIST AND DID FURTHER INVESTIGATION, ONLY TO FIND THAT THE FRAMEWORD UNDER THE PICKUP BOX, WHICH IS PIA TO THE PICKUP BOX, HAVE BROKEN LOOSE. THESE ARE THE CROSSMEMBERS THAT ATTACH THE BOX TO THE FRAME, USING A J CLIP IN THE CROSSMEMBER, AND A BOLT FROM THE FRAME TO THE CROSSMEMBER. MY COMPLAINT IS WHAT HOLDS THIS BOX ON? IT DOES NOT RELIE ON ANY NUTS AND BOLTS TO HOLD THE BOX ON, BUT RELIES ON SPOT WELDS.BECAUSE THE BED IS NOT BOLTED ON, THE CROSSMEMBER IS. I USE THIS TRUCK AS A HAULER FOR MY CAMPER, AND INTERESTING ENOUGH, THE RV INDUSTRY SELLS THE HOLD-DOWNS THAT ATTACH A PICKUP CAMPER TO THE BOX. AT THIS POINT, THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE CAMPER ON THE TRUCK IS THOSE SAME SPOT WELDS, BECAUSE THE NUTS AND BOLTS ONLY HOLD THE CROSSMEMBER, NOT THE ACTUAL BOX. WE THINK THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE OUT OF THE ORDINARY, AND TRULY THOUGHT THAT GENERAL MOTORS WOULD THINK SO TO AND FIX OUR PICKUP TRUCK. WHILE TALKING CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE SERVICE REP. AGREED HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, AS DID THE BODY SHOP MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WE TOOK IT TO. THE CLAIM WAS DENIED FROM GM REP. DUE TO MILEAGE. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY CLAIM, FOR IT SHOULD HAVE NO BEARING ON THE MILEAGE, BUT BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. WE CANNOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF WHAT WOULD HAD HAPPENED IF THIS BOX HAD BROKE LOOSE WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD. WHAT A DISASTER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN. I WORK FOR A AUTOMOTIVE PROTOTYPE ENGINEERING FIRM , I AM NOT AN ENGINEER BUT A MECHANIC, BUT I SEE NEW IDEAS AND THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY TRYING TO COST CUT VEHICLES ALL THE TIME, AND I FEEL THAT THE CONSTUCTION OF THE BOX IS NOT SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #704486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE HYDRAULIC SLAVE CYLINDER HAS BLOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE. THE OWNER HAS REPLACED THE CLYINDER THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #826886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal River, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE SOMETIMES.
NHTSA complaint #517841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mchenry, IL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
DIFFERENTIAL FLUID LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #509948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hickory, NC
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUB-MEMBERS AND FRAME BROKE IN HALF, BROKE WHILE DRIVING,
NHTSA complaint #985176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orangepark, FL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME BROKE ON THE FLAT BED, RAILWAY DRILLED HOLES IN THE FRAMES, RESULTING IN BREAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #982226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Owings, MD
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
PURCHASED TRUCK NEW AND THE MIRRORS MOVE OUT OF PLACE, DEALER TIGHTENED THEM, STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #980880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKES, EQUIPPED WITH REAR ABS BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #979489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKES, EQUIPPED WITH REAR ABS BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #979489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temecula, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AT 10,000 MILES BRAKE HEATS UP THE FRONT ROTOR AND WARP DISC DEALER REPAIR THIS PROBLEM FOUR TIMES CAN'T FIND PROBLEM . TT
NHTSA complaint #976315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsboro, IN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CAST IDLER PULLEY FAILS W/SERPENTINE BELT DESIGN. COMPONENT REPLACED (3) TIMES LOSING POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #975689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsboro, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAST IDLER PULLEY FAILS W/SERPENTINE BELT DESIGN. COMPONENT REPLACED (3) TIMES LOSING POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY. TT CONSUMER STATES THAT TENSIONER FAILS IN THE MIDDLE OF CASTING, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AS DEALERS IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES WERE USED TO BUT REPLACEMENT PART, MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO .
NHTSA complaint #975689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE FRAME IS CRACKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #975536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sweeny, TXFire
INTERIOR LIGHTING
TRUCK WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT THE FIRE DEPATMENT INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR DOME LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #974774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winston Sale, NC
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE FRAME COMPLETELY BROKE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE RUST WAS FOUND ON FRAME. TT
NHTSA complaint #967970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lamar, AR
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING CAR FRAME BROKE IN HALF STARTING BEHIND THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. TT
NHTSA complaint #966298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meyersville, TX
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
HAS PROBLEM SINCE 1994 WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS SUCH AS THE RADIO AND ELECTRICAL WIRING. TT
NHTSA complaint #964566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meyersville, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
HAS PROBLEM SINCE 1994 WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS SUCH AS THE RADIO AND ELECTRICAL WIRING. TT
NHTSA complaint #964566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverwoods, 00Crash
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
VEHICLES REAR STUDS ON WHEELS BROKE INSIDE THE HUB ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. TT
NHTSA complaint #961536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
STRUCTURE
FRAME CRACKED ON RIGHT SIDE NEAR THE CAB AREA. TT
NHTSA complaint #960952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
STRUCTURE
CRACKS DEVELOPED BEHIND THE CAB ON PASSENGER SIDE, HYDRAULICS WENT OUT ON TRUCK BECAUSE IT PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. TT
NHTSA complaint #960613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, NM
SEATS
THE BOLTS THAT HOLD SECURE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE OFF. TT
NHTSA complaint #958971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.