Chevrolet 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
57,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 to 2022 model years. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 16 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 31.3% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Power Train: 4; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11389208 · 2021-01-21 (January 21, 2021)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 31 MPH ON A SLIGHT DOWN-GRADE, THE TRANSMISSION 'SHUTTLES' BETWEEN GEARS WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT IS MOST PROMINENT WHEN THE ENGINE HAS NOT REACH FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING, SUCH AS ENTERING A FREEWAY. A VIDEO IS AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11671752 · 2025-07-07 (July 7, 2025)
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle entered LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then received an alert on the Chevrolet App stating, “Engine Transmission Code". Due to the failure, the contact's husband drove in LIMP Mode to the nearest independent mechanic and the mechanic discovered that the pressure-controlled solenoid-A was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was i…
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11671752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11172394 · 2019-01-27 (January 27, 2019)
BOUGHT A NEW 2016 CHEV 3500 DULY DIESEL TRUCK. AT ABOUT 14K MILES WE FOUND BRAKE FLUID AND HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO SHOP. THEY FIXED FOR FREE. ABOUT 7K MILES AFTER THE BREAKS TOTALLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. AT 26K FOUND FLUID AGAIN BUT IN THE BACK. SHOP BLAMED BREAK PADS SAID NO KNOWN ISSUES. FIXED BACK BRAKES. 37K FLUID EVERYWHERE AND BRAKES TOTALLY OUT. GM NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. LARGE TRUCK ON ROAD THAT BRAKES HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES. TOTAL BREAK FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES CAN NOT BE NORMAL
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397975 · 2021-02-25 (February 25, 2021)
WHILE PULLING A VARIETY OF 3 DIFFERENT TRAILERS, THE INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL DOES NOT PROPERLY SEND OUTPUT TO THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK (TOW VEHICLE) TO DO ALMOST ALL OF THE BRAKING WORK ON ITS OWN. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I'VE HAD THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE ON THE TRUCK WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT BECAUSE I WASN'T GETTING ADEQUATE BRAKING FROM THE TRAILER DUE TO THE INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL FAILING TO SEND ADEQUATE POWER TO THE TRAILER BRAKES. THE GAIN ON THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL WAS SET PROPERLY …
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11344061 · 2020-08-08 (August 8, 2020)
AT 54,000 MILES, NOTICED 2-3 INCHES IN PLAY IN THE STEERING WILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NOW THAT THE STEERING HAS LOOSENED, IT IS A CONTINUAL ISSUE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT DIAGNOSED YET. HOWEVER, IN READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN ERROR. AS THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE GM TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11344061 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2016: 0; 2017: 0; 2018: 0; 2019: 0; 2020: 0; 2022: 0