Chevrolet C SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
66,350 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1965 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 80 complaints (17.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 8; Unknown Or Other: 5; Power Train: 3; Tires: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 50 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2000: 19; 2001: 10; 2002: 8; 2003: 7; 2004: 16; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 8005009 · 2002-03-05 (March 5, 2002)
HILE PUTTING EMERGENCY BRAKES ON WHITH FOOT ON BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8005009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 868955 · 2000-08-28 (August 28, 2000)
ABS SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE RECENTLY REPLACED AND WERE IN GOOD CONDTION. WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVING MORE THE 40 MPH AND BRAKES PRESSED , STARTED TO FEEL THAT THERE WERE NO BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD START TO SKID. DEALER WAS CHARGING CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS SINCE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.*AK THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 868955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9004184 · 2001-10-01 (October 1, 2001)
WIPERS QUIT WORKING, AFTER WIGGLING THE WIRING HARNESS GOING INTO THE ELECTRIC WIPER MOTOR THE WIPERS WILL WORK AGAIN FOR A WHILE. AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT LEVER WILL STICK IN PARK SOMETIME, RESUILTING IN REACHING UP IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO FREE IT UP. HAS HAPPEN 50-75 TIMES
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9004184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068618 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO POWER ASSIST FAILURE. ALSO, THIS OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE VEERED IN EITHER DIRECTION. WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE POWER ASSIST FAILED MOMENTARILY. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BAD STEERING SENSOR.*AK *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 90,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958487 · 1995-01-10 (January 10, 1995)
THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOT FORTY FEET FROM FILLER TUBE WHEN DIPSTICK WAS REMOVED TO CHECK LEVEL. FLUID WAS VERY HOT. FIRE RESULTED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128336 · 2005-07-11 (July 11, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER SATES: HE HAD A CLUTCH PLATE AND A SHAFT REPLACED ON THE TRANSMISSION IN OCTOBER 2004. IN THE PAST WHEN HE WAS PULLING AN R.V. TRAILER HE HAD NO PROBLEM PULLING THE MOUNTAIN PASSES (IN OREGON). AFTER HE HAD THE PARTS REPLACED, WHILE PULLING A MOUNTAIN PASS,GOING APPROX. 45 MPH, HE LOST THE CLUTCH. IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. THE NEXT MORNING, AFTER THE ENGINE HAD COOLED THE CLUTCH WAS FINE. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CLUTCH, BECAUSE THEY TEST IT WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857438 · 2000-02-23 (February 23, 2000)
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES FAILING TO STOP VEHICLE PROPERLY WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *ALSO, FRONT BEARING FAILED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MOUNTING BRACKET AND WIRING WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966177 · 1995-06-01 (June 1, 1995)
UPON IMPACT THE FUEL TANK EXPLODED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855945 · 2000-02-01 (February 1, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING OFF THE ROAD VEHICLE WAS HAD DAMAGE NEAR THE FUEL TANK, AND CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN IN CASE OF A FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 886672 · 2001-04-24 (April 24, 2001)
FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN RAPIDLY. ALSO, STALLED WHEN FIRST STARTING. HAS TO BE RESTARTED A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT STAYS RUNNING. FOR THIS THE DEALER HAS REPLACED PUMPS 5 TIMES. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 886672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003449 · 2002-02-01 (February 1, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STARTED STALLING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT UNTIL AFTER VEHICLE HAD CUT OFF.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003449 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 |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2001: 1; 2002: 0; 2007: 0; 2008: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1966 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1989 | 1 | 1 | Not available |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1993 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 1 | Not available |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 | -1 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | Not available |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 |