Chevrolet C2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
81 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
131,748 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 81 complaints (24.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 14.8% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 8.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 6.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.2% |
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 | 20 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 9 |
| Tires | 8 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 20; Tires:Tread/Belt: 9; Tires: 8; Fuel System, Diesel: 4; Seats: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 4; Electrical System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 65 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 36 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2000: 36; 2001: 12; 2002: 3; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10206112 · 2007-10-16 (October 16, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET C2500. THERE WERE RECALLS RELATED TO THE STRUCTURE BODY, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE EXTERIOR PAINT BEGAN CHIPPING IN 1996 AT 135,000 MILES. IN APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY OF 1997, A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXISTING RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATED TO HIS FAILURES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED IN APPROXIMATELY MARCH OF 2005 AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FAILED IN APPROXIMATELY MARCH OF 2007 A…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719198 · 2000-02-24 (February 24, 2000)
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING THE PARKING BREAK LIGHT FLASHES, THE CRUSE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T TURN OFF. THE HEATER DOESN'T TURN OFF. THE PIN IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BROKE AND THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE HOOD AND TOP OF THE TRUCK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441102 · 2011-12-23 (December 23, 2011)
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN MY 1994 CHEVROLET C2500 WITH THE 6.5 L NATURALLY ASPIRATED DIESEL, MY TRUCK SUDDENLY STALLED AND I LOST ALL MY ENGINE POWERED COMPONENTS (POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC.) I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD BUT WAS BARELY SLOWING DOWN. I FINALLY GOT THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH TO GET OFF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. I THEN HAD TO SIT THERE FOR 30 MINUTES TO ALLOW THE PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER TO COOL DOWN BEFORE I COULD TURN AROUND AND GARAGE MY VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL (5-10) TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A 30 MILE TRIP. I…
Owner-reported narrative. 259,856 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865435 · 2000-07-14 (July 14, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING OR JUST WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON FUEL INJECTION PUMP WILL STOP WORKING AND VEHICLE WILL STALL, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10553239 · 2013-11-21 (November 21, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET C2500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A SMALL HOLE BECAUSE OF THE WORN FUEL TANK PLASTIC COVER. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 264,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 264,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10553239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736484 · 2000-11-17 (November 17, 2000)
INJECTOR PUMP CUTS OUT AT 55-70MPH ALSO SHUTS OFF WHEN TURNING SITTING STILL WILL DIE THIS IS A SAFTY PROBLEM .EVERY ONE I TALK TO HAS PROBLEMS WITH INJECTORS ALSO CHEVEROLET AMITT.PROBLEM I HAVE 4 PUT ON STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I AM TURNING IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC.PLEASE HELP TO STOP INJURIES OR DEATH IF NOT ALREADY HAPPEN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508317 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FLUID EXPELLED THROUGH THE FILLER TUBE CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802584 · 1996-09-18 (September 18, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK DIES. *AK CONSUMER STATES STALLING PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS IN ALL LIGHT DUTY GM PICKUPS, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, CRANK CASE REGULATOR, INJECTOR PUMP, AND AN OIL LEAK WAS FOUND. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722444 · 2000-05-09 (May 9, 2000)
FUEL SYSTEM WAS CUTTING OFF DURING DRIVE. TAKEN IN AND WORKED ON BY DEALER. REAL AXLE SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2/3 TIMES (97/99). DRIVER'S SEAT HAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. BATTERY/ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTION RECENTLY. WILL BE TAKING IN VEHICLE TO DEALER ABOUT SEAT AND BATTERY/ALTERNATOR SITUATION THIS WEEK. I JUST HAVE TO GET THE BATTERIES RECHARGED ENOUGH TO GET THE TRUCK STARTED. JUST HAD ALL 8 GLOW PLUGS REPLACED END OF NOV 1999 RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY COMPLETED.( DOT NUMBER: AD11C98356 TIRE SIZE: LT 245/75R )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722444 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 |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1988: 0; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0