Chevrolet C35 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
170,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 to 1995 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 35 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.9% |
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, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Structure:Frame And Members: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Structure: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 34 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 | 21 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 21; 1996: 10; 2000: 2; 2003: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 985358 · 1996-06-05 (June 5, 1996)
WHEN MOISTURE IS IN THE AIR THE FRONT BRAKES GRAB AND THE BACK ONES DON'T-HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982280 · 1996-04-03 (April 3, 1996)
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, VEHICLE GOES INTO A SKID ON WET SURFACES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976981 · 1995-12-26 (December 26, 1995)
REVERSE WENT OUT AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962642 · 1995-03-28 (March 28, 1995)
WHEN TOWING TRAILER THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL, DEALER SAIS IT IS A COMPUTER CHIP WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEW MODEL FIRST OF THE YEAR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964566 · 1995-05-01 (May 1, 1995)
HAS PROBLEM SINCE 1994 WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS SUCH AS THE RADIO AND ELECTRICAL WIRING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973478 · 1995-10-17 (October 17, 1995)
ELECTRICAL LINES OVERHEAT, MELTING THE FUSE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971221 · 1995-08-29 (August 29, 1995)
CONSUMER HAS DIESEL FUEL WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK STALL . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975689 · 1995-11-29 (November 29, 1995)
CAST IDLER PULLEY FAILS W/SERPENTINE BELT DESIGN. COMPONENT REPLACED (3) TIMES LOSING POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041061 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
GOODYEAR, LT24575R16, WRANGLER A/T, SERIAL #270904GRF72W, TIRE SEPERATED THE TREAD AND THEN EXPLODED WHILE IT WAS IN THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER UNDER MY 1988 CHEVY C3500. THIS WAS A MATE TO ANOTHER WRANGLER A/T, PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME, THAT HAD FAILED, WHILE ON THE TRUCK AT 70 MPH. THAT TIRE LOST THE TREAD, BUT NEVER LOST AIR PRESSURE. THE TREAD DAMAGED THE BED OF THE TRUCK, TO THE TUNE OF $780+.WHICH GOODYEAR HAS REIMBURESD ME FOR.THAT TIRE WAS SHIPPED BACK TO GOODYEAR. I SIGNED A RELEASE AT THAT TIME, THAT THERE WOULD BE NO FURTHER LITGAT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041061 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 |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
1986: 1; 1988: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0