RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet K3500

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.
13
Latest Aug 14, 2019
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet K3500, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Brakes850.0%
  • Fuel system212.5%
  • Engine16.3%
  • Other / unspecified16.3%
  • Powertrain (other)16.3%
  • Suspension16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%
  • Driver assistance16.3%

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 13
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 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, (720) 259-0391) AND SHORTLINE BUICK GMC (1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, (303) 751-3400) 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 CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5424607971. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11244000
Incident
Aug 31, 2018
Mileage
59,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 17, 2007
Crash reported

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 92,000 MILES. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A TRAILER HITCH ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRAILER HITCH FAILED. THE TRAILER BROKE THE SAFETY CHAINS AND IT CRASHED INTO A DITCH, WHICH DESTROYED THE TRAILER AND THE VEHICLE IN TOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HITCH WAS HIGH FOR THE TRIPLE BALL ASSEMBLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10188124
Incident
Apr 13, 2007
Mileage
92,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Mar 26, 2001

REAR AXLE CAME OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ENITRE WINDSHIED WIPER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
884225
Incident
Mar 23, 2001
Brakes
Filed Nov 13, 2000

THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ID
736218
Brakes
Filed Sep 21, 2000

ABS LIGHT CAME ON EARLY IN LIFE AND REPORTED TO DEALER BEFORE WARANTEE EXPIRED, BRAKE FAILURE ALSO REPORTED TO DEALER NOW FAILURE HAS NOW OCCURED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST DAY

NHTSA ID
732109
Incident
Sep 20, 2000
Brakes
Filed Apr 24, 2000

REAR BRAKES KEEP FAILING, EVEN AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS FROM DEALER TO CORRECT DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
860811
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Oct 14, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE TACKOMETER/ ODOMETOR REACHES 21,000 RPMS ,IT LOSES ALL THROTTLE CONTROL AND GOES TO A WIDE OPEN POSITION. THE DRIVER HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK. ALSO, THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 10-14 TIMES SINCE 5/24/96. THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT THIS TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
828956
Incident
Oct 10, 1998
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 1998

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING CONTINUOUS BRAKE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEEL WOULD LOCK-UP ( ONE WHEEL WOULD LOCK OR PULL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER). VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
827059
Incident
Jul 23, 1998

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

010604037B

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

INFORMATION REGARDING FUEL TRANSFER PUMP INOPERATIVE. *YH

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 K3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996Viewing131045.4
1995121136.4
1994611—
1993410—
1992320—
1991010—
1990320—
1989120—
1988110—

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.