RoadVitals

1993 Chevrolet C3500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Feb 1, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Chevrolet C3500, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes635.3%
  • Visibility423.5%
  • Electrical15.9%
  • Body & structure15.9%
  • Interior & seats15.9%
  • Steering15.9%
  • Tires & wheels15.9%
  • Engine15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET C3500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DESPITE THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND PLANNED TO PERSONALLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

NHTSA ID
10496033
Incident
Jan 31, 2013
Mileage
187,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jul 23, 2008

WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING .I HAD TO PUT PRESSURE ON HARNESS CONNECTOR WITH BUNGE CORD OR PROP STICK BEHIND MOTOR TO PUT PRESSURE ON UNIT IN ORDER TO WORK. THEN THEY ONLY OPERATED WHEN THEY WANTED TO. MOST ANY TIME WHEN A DRIVER USES THE WIPERS IT IS WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED, (RAIN, BAD WEATHER & THE LIKE), AND IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. DOESN'T GM REALIZE THIS COMPLAINT COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT,( HOPEFUL NOT A FATALITY). I HAD CONTROL MODULE REPLACED ON FACE OF WIPER MOTOR AND WIPERS NOW WORK AS INTENDED. MODULE COST ME $29.00 AND LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO REPLACE. JUST 3 SMALL SCREWS AND UNPLUG / PLUG HARNESS CONNECTOR. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT FOR REIMBURSEMENT NOW THAT I'VE GOT WIPERS WORKING. PLEASE ---SOMEONE DO SOMETHING TO MAKE GM STAND BEHIND THE STANDARDS FOR SAFETY BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE. THIS STARTED AROUND 2004 OR 2005 AND HAD BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL I REPLACED THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235497
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Mileage
50,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 3, 2007

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION/ DAMAGED REAR FINDER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10204802
Incident
Sep 28, 2007
Visibility
Filed Oct 14, 2003

WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03V15000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10042871
Mileage
120,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 11, 2002

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, WINDSHIELD WIPES STOP WORKING WHEN IN USE.*AK *SCC

NHTSA ID
8013766
Incident
May 12, 2002
Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2000

CONSUMER TAILPIPE FELL OFF AND STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TURNPIKE COMMISSION). NLM

NHTSA ID
552211
Incident
Mar 16, 2000
Visibility
Filed Mar 23, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING DURING OPERATION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
859120
Incident
Jul 1, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 2, 2000
Crash reported

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH IGNITION ON, IT TOOK OFF IN REVERSE AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. VEHICLE GEARS WERE STILL IN PARK. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
855999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

455006

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

UNKNOWN

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018010—
1996261037.1
1995471143.2
1994182143.1
1993Viewing151042.8
1992820—
1991310—
1990520—
1989720—
1988010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.