Chevrolet K3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,843 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 7 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, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 30.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
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 | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 5; 2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10044682 · 2003-10-24 (October 24, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A METAL BRAKE LINE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764183 · 2002-07-13 (July 13, 2002)
BRAKE HOOKUPS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039790 · 2003-09-11 (September 11, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT ENGINE PROBLEMS. ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT HAD NO ANSWERS TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER STATED THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE UNLESS THEY TOOK THE ENGINE APART.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751305 · 2001-08-28 (August 28, 2001)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I HAVE CHECKED AND FOUND THAT LATER TRUCKS HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THE SAME WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. I HAVE DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION WHEN THE WIPER FAILED WHILE DRIVING. YOU CAN GET THE WIPER MOTOR TO START AGAIN BY REACHING UNDER THE HOOD AND JIGGLE THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. THAT SOMETIMES WILL START THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING BUT WHEN IT DOES IT TYPICALLY WILL ONLY OPERATE IN THE HIGH SPEED MODE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11244000 · 2019-08-14 (August 14, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 (NA) CHEVROLET K3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT TANK CHASSIS. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET (5200 S BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, [phone removed]) AND SHORTLINE BUICK GMC (1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CON…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11244000 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 |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0