Owners have filed 29 complaints
about the 1996 Chevrolet C3500 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2010.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 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 — 33
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 36
6.9% 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 1996 compares with every other Chevrolet C3500
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.
Jul 1997peak 5Feb 2010
Recalls on the 1996 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Lufkin, TXFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CHEVROLET RECALL FRAME ON VEHICLE RUBBING AGAINST TANK. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR, WILL NOT REPAIR SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #706026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 20,000 milesMarion, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TRUCK SHUTS DOWN WHILE MOVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A 1996 CHEVROLET C3500 DIESEL. PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 120,000 MILES. PROBLEM NEVER SOLVED AND VEHICLE STILL SHUTS DOWN AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10312950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OLD Lyme, CT
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
OVER TWO YEARS, I HAVE HAD 3 BELT FAILURES ON B.F GOODRICH LT 225/75 R16 TIRES. ONE FAILURE RESULTED IN A BLOWOUT THE OTHER TWO WERE DETECTED BY EXTREME VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. NOTIFIED B.F. GOODRICH ON THE LAST FAILURE. 3 FAILURES OF THE SAME TYPE SEEM ABOVE NORMAL FOR A TIRE IN THIS CATEGORY. B.F. GOODRICH STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYP OF FAILURE BUT AGREED TO GIVE ME A CREDIT OF 20% OFF A NEW TIRE BASED ON THE TREAD REMAINING ON THE OLD ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10126341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,350 milesCove City, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
1996 CHEV. 1 TON DUALLY 6.5 DIESEL, ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT'S STARVING FOR FUEL. AFTER READING THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE WITH THE DOZENS OF EXACT SAME PROBLEMS I REALIZED THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM THAT CHEVROLET NEEDS TO ADDRESS. WHAT IF WE WOULD HAVE HAD OUR 4 HORSES AND 3 CHILDREN WITH US ON A HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENED? WHY ARE SO MANY OF US SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE CAUSE IS AND REPLACING SO MANY PARTS WHEN THE DEALERSHIPS ARE APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM? HTTP://WWW.DIESELDOCTOR.COM/MESSAGEBOARD/DATA/119.HTML THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE LIFT, TRANSFER AND FUEL PUMPS AND A WIRE CHECK (TO ENSURE NO WIRES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED) TO PREVENT A SERIOUS DISASTER.
NHTSA complaint #10120651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesAlpine, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
1996 CREWCAB DULEY 3500 PROBLEMS WITH EARLY WARE OF BRAKE. ROTORS TURNED AT 12000 AND NOW REPLACING BRAKE PADS EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES DUE TO EXCESIVE WARE. DEALERS HAVE HAD TRUCK IN AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR BREAKING ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE IN 1996. PUT NEW PADS ON IN DEC AND AT 2000 MILES THEY ARE BEING REPLACE AGAIN. MAJOR WEAR TO THE PADS
NHTSA complaint #10007745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fountain, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #767313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR TIRE , ALSO OTHER TIRES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING AND TREAD SEPARATION. AMERI STAR TIRE SIZE LT22575R16M+S DOT NUMBER AD1LCWA285. *AK THE REMAINING TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND WERE FOUND TO HAVE TREAD CRACKS AND SPLITS. THE MANUFACTURER WANTS THE DAMAGED TIRE TO BE RETURNED FOR PROCESSING THE CLAIM.
NHTSA complaint #873264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING ONTO ENGINE. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 2YEARS AGO. DEALER & MANUFACTURER KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM, BUT WON'T DOING ANYTHING UNTIL A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #871995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Horton, AL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MOTOR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME,PARKED OR ON HIGHWAY. THE DEALERS SAY THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE INJECTOR PUMPS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THAT , THIS VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO HAUL AND PULL VERY HEAVY LOADS. I CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND G. M. REFUSES TO ASSIST IN ANYWAY. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND G.M. IS NOT RESPONSIBLE,EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BEING WORKED ON FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, ACTUALLY THE MILEAGE WENT OVER WARRANTY WHILE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD KILL SOMEONE ,IF THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT THE WRONG TIME E.G. DOWN HILL WITH TRAVEL TRAILER IN TOW, CROSSING A RAILROAD, OR ANY OTHER SCENARIO YOU MAY THINK OF. HOW MANY UNEXPLAINED ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THIS INJECTOR PUMP. I AM TOLD BY MANY MECHANICS THAT THE CHANGE TOOK PLACE AFTER 1994 AND THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM SINCE.I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD APPRECIATE SOMETHING BEING DONE. I NOTICED THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS THE PROBLEM AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT . REF , ODI ID: 814633.
NHTSA complaint #723074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensolem, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STRICKER PIN CRACKED. YH
NHTSA complaint #550554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victorville, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN THERE IS COLD TEMPERATURE OR HUMID CONDITIONS WINDSHIELD WIPERS GET WET, AND WHEN CONSUMER TURNS THE SWITCH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #853225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midland, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY CHEVROLET TRUCK HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3000MI. THEY FIRST NEEDED REPLACEING AT 12000MI WITH ALL OF THIS BEING UNLOADED HIGHWAY MILES THIS IS EXCESSIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE TO WHAT IT IS NOW AT 3000MI REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD 2 RELATIVES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON C-1500 AND C-2500 TRUCKS. I WAS TOLD THAT YOU ALREADY HAD AN OPEN IVESTIGATION ON THE PROBLEM BUT I COULD NOT FIND IT ON YOUR WEB SIGHT. A LITTLE INFO IF YOU PLEASE. SHOWGOOD1@AOL.COM
NHTSA complaint #711556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temecula, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS WORN OUT. YH
NHTSA complaint #606693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Black Hawk, CO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE ERRATICALLY ON ALL SETTINGS. WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON MIST THEY OPERATE ON HIGH. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER , THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #841280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmetto, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN IT RAINS. THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL WHEN RAINING. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #838379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lufkin, TXFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CHEVROLET RECALL FRAME ON VEHICLE RUBBING AGAINST TANK. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR, WILL NOT REPAIR SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #706026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Lauderdale, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #827308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL SENDING UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Marcos, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
DIFFERENTIAL FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #603563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Post Falls, ID
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, CAUSING GEAR TO STICK INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #535717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marina DEL, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #528185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marina DEL, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY MISFIRES AND RUNS ROUGH WITH HESITATION.
NHTSA complaint #528185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temecula, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BACK BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUMS AND THE PADS THREE TIMES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #821556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temecula, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BACK BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUMS AND THE PADS THREE TIMES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #821556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temecula, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BACK BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUMS AND THE PADS THREE TIMES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #821556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poway, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #603512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.