Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reports
187,000 miles · Feb 1, 2013
Service BrakesSteering
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 …
Read full complaint
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 ODI #10496033
50,000 miles · Jul 23, 2008
Electrical SystemVisibility
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 …
Read full complaint
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 ODI #10235497
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2007
Tires
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION/ DAMAGED REAR FINDER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10204802
120,000 miles · Oct 14, 2003
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03V15000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10042871
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, WINDSHIELD WIPES STOP WORKING WHEN IN USE.*AK *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8013766
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER TAILPIPE FELL OFF AND STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TURNPIKE COMMISSION). NLM
NHTSA ODI #552211
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2000
Visibility
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 ODI #859120
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
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 ODI #855999
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 1998
Structure
WHILE DRIVING FRAME DETACHED FROM BODY OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO NOTES MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827279
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1998
Seats
SEAT BOLTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE.
NHTSA ODI #538654
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1993 Chevrolet C3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration