Chevrolet C/K 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
110,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 1999 model years. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 17 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 35.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
Service Brakes: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10617312 · 2014-07-29 (July 29, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET C/K 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKES REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000. ..UPDATED 08-26-14 *BF UPDATED 09/2/2014 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 198,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10617312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030959 · 2003-08-06 (August 6, 2003)
I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY CK3500 4X4 DUALLY, THIS TRUCK HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS NOT ONLY DID THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND WE HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM AT FIRST BUT IT IS THE TRANSFER CASE, THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE TURNPIKE, THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN BABIED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES WORK NOW, AND WE WILL TAKE APART THE TRANS…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167198 · 2006-08-31 (August 31, 2006)
THIS PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO WHEN THE TRUCK MOTOR (1999 CHEVROLET 3500 DIESEL DUALLY) SUDDENLY SHUTDOWN WHILE I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS IT STARTED AND I HAD NO FURTHER INCIDENTS THAT DAY. NO MORE INCIDENTS FOR A FEW WEEKS, IT BECAME AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND AFTER ALMOST JACK KNIFING THE TRUCK, PULLING A 34 FT BOAT DECIDED TO TAKE IT A LOCAL SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING BUT SAID THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE OR RECALL, CHECKED WITH A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER. CALLED DEALERSHIP…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10641725 · 2014-10-06 (October 6, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY ROAD THE ENGINE STALLED. THE PMD PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER FAILED. I ALMOST WRECKED AND HAD TO TAKE MEASURES TO AVOID OTHERS AND ENDED UP IN A PARKING LOT ALMOST HITTING PARKED CARS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 769248 · 2002-11-04 (November 4, 2002)
INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE RUNNING, NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 769248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100550 · 2004-11-25 (November 25, 2004)
I HAD NO WARNING, NO VIBRATION OR SLOP IN MY STEERING. LUCKILY MY SON HAD JUST CAME IN WITH THE TRUCK. I WENT OUT AND STARTED BACKING UP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT LEFT (DS) WHEEL DROPPED TO THE GROUND. I INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THE SPINDLE HAD BROKEN JUST BEFORE WHERE THE BOTTOM BALL JOINT IS. APPROX 1" FROM THE A FRAME. WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN DRIVING IT??????? I DIDNT SEE ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE OR WHERE IT WAS HIT. IT JUST LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE SPINDLE?????*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 124,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470676 · 2012-08-14 (August 14, 2012)
PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER HAS FAILED A NUMBER OF TIMES, CAUSING VERY HIGH FUEL TEMPERATURES. I HAVE REPLACED ALL OTHER PARTS IN FUEL/ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, BUT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE PMD 3 TIMES SO FAR. WHEN THE PMD IS NEW, EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT, BUT THAT ONLY LASTS A FEW MONTHS AT BEST. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 312,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470676 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
1996: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0