Gmc C3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
190,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1970 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train: 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). 14 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 4; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 487816 · 1995-11-27 (November 27, 1995)
REAR BRAKES FAILED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480635 · 1995-01-24 (January 24, 1995)
INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986762 · 1996-07-11 (July 11, 1996)
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MOVING FROM COLD START AUTO-TRANSMISSION MAY NOT CAUSE IT TO MOVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978267 · 1996-01-26 (January 26, 1996)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH BLOCK HEATER PLUGGED WITH TRANSMISSION IN GEAR AND STARTED UP AND DROVE THRU THE GARAGE WITH ENGINE ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855337 · 2000-01-21 (January 21, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORTMATON. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855337 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 | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1988: 1; 1989: 2; 1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 2; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 0