RoadVitals

1995 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.
47
Latest Oct 3, 2014
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.
1
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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 47 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Chevrolet C3500, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 manufacturer communications are 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

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

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA97023ClosedEngineering Analysis

DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILURE

Opened Oct 31, 1997
Closed Jun 1, 1999

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 375 REPORTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME WHICH IS PRONE TO BREAKAGE AT THE LEFT FRONT ATTACHING POINT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT MAY TILT AWAY FROM THE RISER DURING ACCELERATING OR BRAKING.(SEE CLOSING REPORT)

SEATS

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 47
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET C3500 EQUIPPED WITH ACHILLES DESERT HAWK A/P TIRES, SIZE LT225/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL THREAD SEPARATED AND A BUBBLE HAD DEVELOPED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRODUCTION DATE (4511) WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12T006000 (TIRES). THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10641080
Incident
Sep 27, 2014
Mileage
193,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET C3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INJECTION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10614608
Incident
Jul 11, 2011
Mileage
30,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2010

I HAVE A 1995 3500 DULLY 6.5 TURBO, ENG F, SERIAL # [XXX]. I BOUGHT IT 4 YEARS AGO 170,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR TOWING AND HAULING HEAVY LOADS IN MY BUSINESS.. ONE MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND AFTER SEVERAL STALLS (CREATING SOME CLOSE CALLS) AND HARD STARTING AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT FIXING STALLING, STARTING PROBLEM I LEARNED OF THE PMD PROBLEM. I REPLACEMENT AND RELOCATED PMD WITH STANADYNE PART # 34583, AND RELOCATED TO FIREWALL. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MONTHS STARTED EXPERIENCING SOME HARD STARTING AND STALLING AGAIN. THIS SUMMER 2010 WHEN TEMPERATURES REACHED THE 90S IT GOT REALLY BAD. ONCE DYEING ON A RIGHT HAND DOWNHILL CURVE THAT CAUSED THE TRUCK TO CROSS THE CENTER LINE FORCING AN ON COMING CAR TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION BEFORE I GOT IT UNDER CONTROL. I HOPE YOU NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE CONTROLLING A CHEVROLET 3500 DULLY WITHOUT POWER GOING DOWN A HILL USING EXTREME EFFORTS TO STEER AND STOP. AND I HOPE YOU NEVER MEET ONE IN LIKE CONDITION HEADING IN YOUR DIRECTION. A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. IT STALLED AGAIN ON A CURVING UPHILL ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS WITH A TRAILER IN TOW, CREATING A HAZARD DUE TO BLIND CURVES BEHIND TRUCK AND HAVING TO LET ROLL BACK DOWN HILL IN ORDER TO GET IT OFF ROAD AND WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. REPLACED PMD AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH NEW PART STANADYNE # 35976 AND RELOCATING TO BEHIND FRONT BUMPER. NOW TRUCK HAS STARTED EXPERIENCING A HARD START UNTIL COOLS DOWN CONDITION AGAIN. I AM FORCED TO CONTINUE USING THIS TRUCK AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND MY BUSINESS. I HAVE MADE MY WIFE AND OTHER AWARE OF THIS STALLING, STARTING CONDITION SO THAT IF I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT THEY CAN HAVE THE PROPER INVESTIGATION DONE. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY OF THESE HEAVY LOADED TRUCKS ARE STILL COMING DOWN THE ROAD TOWARD YOUR FAMILIES? THEY ARE TICKING BOMBS WAITING TO KILL SOMEONE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10350878
Incident
Jul 21, 2010
Mileage
170,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+4 more
Filed Apr 26, 2005

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND WIPERS FAILED DURING RAIN. LEAVE THE SWITCH ON AND HOPE THEY START WORKING AGAIN. THIS TRUCK NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, BUT DOES THE SAME THING AS RECALLED TRUCKS. TRANSMISSION REFUSES TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEARS. STOP TRUCK, SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTART AND PROCEED SEEMS TO WORK MOST OF THE TIME TO GET TRANSMISSION WORKING CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES MUST REPEAT SEVERAL TIMES. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. BOTH SHIFTERS REPLACED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES. AIR CONDITIONING PUMP REPLACED 3 TIMES. THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE REMEDIED BECAUSE THE CLUTCH FREEZES UP ON EACH ONE SHORTLY AFTER INSTALLED. HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY WAS FIRST TO GO. REPLACED IT 1 TIME SO FAR, VACUUM PUMP BLEW A HOLE IN SIDE AND REPLACED AS WELL. BOTH DOORS HAD HINGE PINS REPLACED AS BOTH DOORS WERE HANGING. PASSENGER DOOR WAS THE WORST. PASSENGER DOOR LINKAGES REPLACED AS WELL BUT FAILED WITHIN A FEW DAYS AFTER REPLACEMENT. ALL PROBLEMS STARTED IN FALL OF 2000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10118488
Incident
Oct 20, 2001
Mileage
100,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 30, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH STEERING ON 1995 CHEVROLET C3500 CREW CAB PICKUP. *MR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE THEN MOVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT HE WAS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONSUMER SLOWED TO STOP, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AS IT ROCKED BACK AND FORTH FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE OBVIOUSLY SWAYED BACK AND FORTH AS WELL. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, HE FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD BALLOONED ALONG WITH SIDEWALL AND TREAD DAMAGE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10091515
Incident
May 1, 2003
Engine
Filed Jan 23, 2004

BOTH ENGINE HEAD GASKETS CRACKED. AS A RESULT, WATER SEEPED INTO THE ENGINE WHICH BURNED WHITE SMOKE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 95 DIESEL 6.5 ENGINES BETWEEN 130K MILES AND 140K MILES. (THIS WAS A METAL PROBLEM) *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10051778
Incident
Dec 4, 2003
Mileage
143,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 21, 2003

TECH-COR, INC. IS A RESEARCH SUBSIDIARY OF THE ALLSTATE NON-LIFE HOLDING CO. WE RECEIVE AND ANALYZE INQUIRIES FROM ALLSTATE INSURED CUSTOMERS. ONE, A MR. HENRY ALWARDT, OF KEY LARGO, FL, TOLD OF A DEFECT IN THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP CIRCUIT OF THEGENERAL MOTORS 6.8L DIESEL ENGINE, WHICH WAS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON CHEV. & GMC TRUCKS FROM 1995-2000. ACCORDING TO MR. ALWARDT, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNIONG, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING & BRAKE CONTROL, WHICH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ACCIDENT. HE SAID THAT HE HAS HAD 4 OF THESE PUMPS AND THE ELECTRONIC MODULES REPLACED ON HIS 1995 CHEV. TRUCK , UNDER WARRANTY, SINCE HE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1995. HE FURTHER STATED THAT AS A RESULT OF PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH OTHER OWNERS, THAT GM DEALERS HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WIT SIMILAR FAILURES AND SUBSEQUENT WARRANTY REPAIRS. HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL RISK OF INJURY TO DRIVERS, PASSENGERS AND OCCUPANTS OF OTHER VEHICLES, IF ONE OF THESE VEHICLES EXPERIENCES THIS PROBLEM, DURING OPERATION. HE IS URGING NHTSA TO UNDERTAKE EFFORTS TO GET GM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, ONCE AND FOR ALL AND TO ALERT INSURERS THAT THEIR INSUREDS, WHICH OWN OR DRIVE THESE VEHICLES FACE INCREASED RISKS OF INJURY.

NHTSA ID
10007916
Incident
Oct 16, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 2, 2001

SIDE WALL FAILURE RESULTING IN BLOWOUT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 8XOR 65C 5 TIRESIZE: 235/85R16)

NHTSA ID
754031
Incident
Jul 5, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

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
1995Viewing471143.2
1994182143.1
1993151042.8
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.