Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Chevrolet K3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
952.9%
Fuel & Propulsion
211.8%
Median failure at 59,000 miles
Equipment & Accessories
15.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 92,000 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.9%
Suspension
15.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.9%
Engine & Cooling
15.9%
Median failure at 59,000 miles
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.
Jul 1997peak 3Aug 2019
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 92,000 milesCentral Point, ORCrash
TRAILER HITCHES
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 92,000 MILES. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A TRAILER HITCH ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRAILER HITCH FAILED. THE TRAILER BROKE THE SAFETY CHAINS AND IT CRASHED INTO A DITCH, WHICH DESTROYED THE TRAILER AND THE VEHICLE IN TOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HITCH WAS HIGH FOR THE TRIPLE BALL ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10188124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spokane, WA2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #531781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 59,000 milesAurora, CO
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 (NA) CHEVROLET K3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT TANK CHASSIS. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET (5200 S BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, (720) 259-0391) AND SHORTLINE BUICK GMC (1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, (303) 751-3400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5424607971. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11244000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesAurora, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 (NA) CHEVROLET K3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT TANK CHASSIS. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET (5200 S BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, (720) 259-0391) AND SHORTLINE BUICK GMC (1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, (303) 751-3400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5424607971. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11244000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesCentral Point, ORCrash
TRAILER HITCHES
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 92,000 MILES. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A TRAILER HITCH ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRAILER HITCH FAILED. THE TRAILER BROKE THE SAFETY CHAINS AND IT CRASHED INTO A DITCH, WHICH DESTROYED THE TRAILER AND THE VEHICLE IN TOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HITCH WAS HIGH FOR THE TRIPLE BALL ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10188124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westville, OK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
REAR AXLE CAME OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ENITRE WINDSHIED WIPER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #884225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westville, OK
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE CAME OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ENITRE WINDSHIED WIPER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #884225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Griffin, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #736218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamazoo, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ABS LIGHT CAME ON EARLY IN LIFE AND REPORTED TO DEALER BEFORE WARANTEE EXPIRED, BRAKE FAILURE ALSO REPORTED TO DEALER NOW FAILURE HAS NOW OCCURED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST DAY
NHTSA complaint #732109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Point, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR BRAKES KEEP FAILING, EVEN AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS FROM DEALER TO CORRECT DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #860811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herford, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE TACKOMETER/ ODOMETOR REACHES 21,000 RPMS ,IT LOSES ALL THROTTLE CONTROL AND GOES TO A WIDE OPEN POSITION. THE DRIVER HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK. ALSO, THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 10-14 TIMES SINCE 5/24/96. THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT THIS TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #828956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herford, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE TACKOMETER/ ODOMETOR REACHES 21,000 RPMS ,IT LOSES ALL THROTTLE CONTROL AND GOES TO A WIDE OPEN POSITION. THE DRIVER HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK. ALSO, THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 10-14 TIMES SINCE 5/24/96. THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT THIS TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #828956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Hill, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING CONTINUOUS BRAKE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEEL WOULD LOCK-UP ( ONE WHEEL WOULD LOCK OR PULL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER). VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #827059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manitowoc, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #534745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lagrangevi, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PAD DESIGN CAUSES BRAKES TO LOCK UP WHEN PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #533976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Hill, SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY BRAKES LOCK UP. THE BRAKES ARE PULLING, CAUSING ONE DISC BRAKE TO PULL MORE THAN THE OTHER WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES CAN'T STOP, VEHICLE HAS TO COAST TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #822449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spokane, WA2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #531781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES/ROTORS: BRAKES LOCK UP PERIODICALLY; PISTON SEIZED, BRAKE ROTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE FAILED. HAVE HAD IN FOR REPAIRS TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #813932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES/ROTORS: BRAKES LOCK UP PERIODICALLY; PISTON SEIZED, BRAKE ROTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE FAILED. HAVE HAD IN FOR REPAIRS TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #813932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.