Owners have filed 32 complaints
about the 1994 Chevrolet C3500 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2003.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 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 — 37
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% 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.
How 1994 compares with every other Chevrolet C3500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 Chevrolet C3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
721.9%
Median failure at 57,216 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
618.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
515.6%
Brakes
515.6%
Engine & Cooling
412.5%
Electrical System
26.3%
Equipment & Accessories
13.1%
Lights
13.1%
Body & Structure
13.1%
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.
Sep 1996peak 8Dec 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Chevrolet C3500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA97023Opened 31 Oct 1997Closed 1 Jun 1999SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 375 REPORTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME WHICH IS PRONE TO BREAKAGE AT THE LEFT FRONT ATTACHING POINT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT MAY TILT AWAY FROM THE RISER DURING ACCELERATING OR BRAKING.(SEE CLOSING REPORT)
Recalls on the 1994 Chevrolet C3500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
99V025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CREW CABS, UTILITY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POLARITY OF THE WIRING FOR THE ZERO ADJUST BRAKE SWITCH REVERSED FROM WHAT WAS SPECIFIED ON THE SWITCH DRAWING. WITH THE REVERSED POLARITY, THE CONTACTS IN THE BRAKE SWITCH CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE SWITCH WILL PERFORM NORMALLY UNTIL THE BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS WEAR OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER.
Risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 57,216 milesCoquille, OR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR QUIT WITHOUT NOTICE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AND START AGAIN .
NHTSA complaint #10049728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lander, WY
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR TIRES MEASURE APPROX. 96 FRONT TIRES APPROX 91. DT
NHTSA complaint #769788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarkston, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE PULLING A HEAVY LOAD WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CLUTCH. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF HEAT COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE IN ENGINE BEING TOO EXCESSIVE, AND CAUSING SLAVE CYLINDER TO MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO THE SLAVE CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #888512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarkston, WA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
WHILE PULLING A HEAVY LOAD WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CLUTCH. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF HEAT COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE IN ENGINE BEING TOO EXCESSIVE, AND CAUSING SLAVE CYLINDER TO MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO THE SLAVE CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #888512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarkston, WA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
WHILE PULLING A HEAVY LOAD WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CLUTCH. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF HEAT COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE IN ENGINE BEING TOO EXCESSIVE, AND CAUSING SLAVE CYLINDER TO MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO THE SLAVE CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #888512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2ND 1-95 SORRY 3RD 9-95 STRANGE 4TH. 10-97 DEFECTIVE PUMPS 4TH. 10-97 REBUILD DEFECTIVE PUMP 5TH 4-00 COST $1559.63 DEFECTIVE PUMP 6TH 11-00 DEFECTIVE PUMP $1900.00 PLEASE CALL FOR DETAIL ALL WORK DONE AT SAME DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #736414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BON Wier, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 951005000, GM RECALL NO: 94C57/ THIS IS A PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT STARTED ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE. DURING THE FIST TWO YEARS THE INJECTOR PUMP WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. NOW I HEAR OF THE RECALL AND GM @ 1-800-222-1020 FILE NO: C01138552 SAY THEY HAVE NO RECALLS OF THIS NATURE ON MY DIESEL POWERED TRUCK. AT THE PRESENT TIME MY VEHICLE STALLS, HAS VERY POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE, MISFIRES, STALLS AFTER START, AND SOMETIMES STALLS DURING DECELERATION. ONE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME AFTER A PUMP REPLACEMENT, IF THE SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK, TO NOT COME BACK TO THEM, TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. AT TIMES THIS ENGINE WILL QUIT WITH NO WARNING, IN TRAFFIC, GOING AROUND A CURVE, OR @ 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY COURSE OF ACTION I MAY HAVE TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #727000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 951005000, GM RECALL NO: 94C57/ THIS IS A PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT STARTED ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE. DURING THE FIST TWO YEARS THE INJECTOR PUMP WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. NOW I HEAR OF THE RECALL AND GM @ 1-800-222-1020 FILE NO: C01138552 SAY THEY HAVE NO RECALLS OF THIS NATURE ON MY DIESEL POWERED TRUCK. AT THE PRESENT TIME MY VEHICLE STALLS, HAS VERY POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE, MISFIRES, STALLS AFTER START, AND SOMETIMES STALLS DURING DECELERATION. ONE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME AFTER A PUMP REPLACEMENT, IF THE SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK, TO NOT COME BACK TO THEM, TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. AT TIMES THIS ENGINE WILL QUIT WITH NO WARNING, IN TRAFFIC, GOING AROUND A CURVE, OR @ 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY COURSE OF ACTION I MAY HAVE TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #727000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dacula, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO A BAD SOLDER JOINT. DEALER SAYS IT'S NOT ON RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #842305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Binghamton, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIED WIPERS FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOARD, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY IN BAD WEAHTER CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #548202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
TURBO BRACKET BROKE, REPLACE BRACKET.
NHTSA complaint #514777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredonia, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE REAR ABS BRAKES FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. REPLACED BRAKING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #820867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Fort Myers, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPERS FAILED ON MANY OCCASIONS, AT TIMES AFFECTS VISIBILITY,ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #526432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delanson, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES: WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT. INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKES WILL PULSATE, FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN PUSHING ON THEM.
NHTSA complaint #818522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magnolia, TX
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH DOWN AND THERE'RE DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING GEARS. THE CLUTCH BALL AND FORK WERE BROKEN. ALSO, PROBLEMS EXISTED WITH THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #523055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW MOTOR INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #514777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #514777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PARKING LIGHTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #514777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #514777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake City, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTION PUMP. THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP WAS REPLACED (5) TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. GM DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #810839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Round Rock, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT STALLS, OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT SHE HAD THREE FUEL PUMPS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #810441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DISINTEGRATED/WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICANT.
NHTSA complaint #513408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN CORNER.
NHTSA complaint #513408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, OH
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER SWITCH FAILED TO SHUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #513408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES LOCK UP ON WET ROADS.
NHTSA complaint #513408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.