FaultScore report
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 1993 Chevrolet C3500 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2013. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
FaultScore 28/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet C3500.
How this is worked out18
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
120,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 187,000 miles
Median failure at 85,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 187,000 miles
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH IGNITION ON, IT TOOK OFF IN REVERSE AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. VEHICLE GEARS WERE STILL IN PARK. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #855999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP WITHOUT INDICATION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #825876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET C3500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DESPITE THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND PLANNED TO PERSONALLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
NHTSA complaint #10496033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET C3500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DESPITE THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND PLANNED TO PERSONALLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
NHTSA complaint #10496033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING .I HAD TO PUT PRESSURE ON HARNESS CONNECTOR WITH BUNGE CORD OR PROP STICK BEHIND MOTOR TO PUT PRESSURE ON UNIT IN ORDER TO WORK. THEN THEY ONLY OPERATED WHEN THEY WANTED TO. MOST ANY TIME WHEN A DRIVER USES THE WIPERS IT IS WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED, (RAIN, BAD WEATHER & THE LIKE), AND IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. DOESN'T GM REALIZE THIS COMPLAINT COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT,( HOPEFUL NOT A FATALITY). I HAD CONTROL MODULE REPLACED ON FACE OF WIPER MOTOR AND WIPERS NOW WORK AS INTENDED. MODULE COST ME $29.00 AND LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO REPLACE. JUST 3 SMALL SCREWS AND UNPLUG / PLUG HARNESS CONNECTOR. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT FOR REIMBURSEMENT NOW THAT I'VE GOT WIPERS WORKING. PLEASE ---SOMEONE DO SOMETHING TO MAKE GM STAND BEHIND THE STANDARDS FOR SAFETY BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE. THIS STARTED AROUND 2004 OR 2005 AND HAD BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL I REPLACED THE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10235497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING .I HAD TO PUT PRESSURE ON HARNESS CONNECTOR WITH BUNGE CORD OR PROP STICK BEHIND MOTOR TO PUT PRESSURE ON UNIT IN ORDER TO WORK. THEN THEY ONLY OPERATED WHEN THEY WANTED TO. MOST ANY TIME WHEN A DRIVER USES THE WIPERS IT IS WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED, (RAIN, BAD WEATHER & THE LIKE), AND IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. DOESN'T GM REALIZE THIS COMPLAINT COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT,( HOPEFUL NOT A FATALITY). I HAD CONTROL MODULE REPLACED ON FACE OF WIPER MOTOR AND WIPERS NOW WORK AS INTENDED. MODULE COST ME $29.00 AND LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO REPLACE. JUST 3 SMALL SCREWS AND UNPLUG / PLUG HARNESS CONNECTOR. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT FOR REIMBURSEMENT NOW THAT I'VE GOT WIPERS WORKING. PLEASE ---SOMEONE DO SOMETHING TO MAKE GM STAND BEHIND THE STANDARDS FOR SAFETY BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE. THIS STARTED AROUND 2004 OR 2005 AND HAD BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL I REPLACED THE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10235497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION/ DAMAGED REAR FINDER.
NHTSA complaint #10204802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03V15000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10042871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, WINDSHIELD WIPES STOP WORKING WHEN IN USE.*AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER TAILPIPE FELL OFF AND STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TURNPIKE COMMISSION). NLM
NHTSA complaint #552211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING DURING OPERATION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #859120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH IGNITION ON, IT TOOK OFF IN REVERSE AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. VEHICLE GEARS WERE STILL IN PARK. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #855999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING FRAME DETACHED FROM BODY OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO NOTES MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #827279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
SEAT BOLTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE.
NHTSA complaint #538654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP WITHOUT INDICATION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #825876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP CAUSING DAMAGE TO PADS.
NHTSA complaint #536890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP AND TO THE RIGHT, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR PADS AND SHOES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #820862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP AND TO THE RIGHT, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR PADS AND SHOES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #820862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED , INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKES GRAB AND LOCK UP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #820313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
#EA95-026, IN WET WETAND COLD WEATHER WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY STICK, HAS ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #807865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.