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 26 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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
26 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY CHEVROLET TRUCK HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3000MI. THEY FIRST NEEDED REPLACEING AT 12000MI WITH ALL OF THIS BEING UNLOADED HIGHWAY MILES THIS IS EXCESSIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE TO WHAT IT IS NOW AT 3000MI REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD 2 RELATIVES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON C-1500 AND C-2500 TRUCKS.…
Read full complaint
THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY CHEVROLET TRUCK HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3000MI. THEY FIRST NEEDED REPLACEING AT 12000MI WITH ALL OF THIS BEING UNLOADED HIGHWAY MILES THIS IS EXCESSIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE TO WHAT IT IS NOW AT 3000MI REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD 2 RELATIVES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON C-1500 AND C-2500 TRUCKS. I WAS TOLD THAT YOU ALREADY HAD AN OPEN IVESTIGATION ON THE PROBLEM BUT I COULD NOT FIND IT ON YOUR WEB SIGHT. A LITTLE INFO IF YOU PLEASE. SHOWGOOD1@AOL.COM
NHTSA ODI #711556
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 1999
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE ERRATICALLY ON ALL SETTINGS. WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON MIST THEY OPERATE ON HIGH. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER , THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #841280
Mileage unknown · May 25, 1999
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN IT RAINS. THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL WHEN RAINING. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838379
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineFireInjury
CHEVROLET RECALL FRAME ON VEHICLE RUBBING AGAINST TANK. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR, WILL NOT REPAIR SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #706026
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS WORN OUT. YH
NHTSA ODI #606693
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827308
Mileage unknown · May 19, 1998
Power Train
TRANSFER CASE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, CAUSING GEAR TO STICK INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #535717
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BACK BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUMS AND THE PADS THREE TIMES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #821556
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY MISFIRES AND RUNS ROUGH WITH HESITATION.
NHTSA ODI #528185
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL SENDING UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #604924
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.
1996 Chevrolet C3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year