U.S. public vehicle records

Chevrolet K3500 brakes problems

18 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.

Key facts

43 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

75,843 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1988 to 1996 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Braking behavior evidence

18 of 43 complaints match this topic (41.9%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 506461 · 1996-08-19 (August 19, 1996)

POWER BOOSTER BRAKE REPLACED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506461 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 806063 · 1996-12-10 (December 10, 1996)

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE . CONSUMER STATES THE BEARING ALSO LOCKED UP, THE ALTERNATOR CAUSED THE ABS BRAKE AND REGULAR BRAKE LIGHT FUSES TO BLOW. *SLC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 806063 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 709867 · 1999-08-11 (August 11, 1999)

LOSS OF ALL BRAKING POWER FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. I KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES AS I DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND BRAKING POWER RETURNED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT ALL POWER WAS LOST, IT IS USUALLY A DECREASE IN BRAKING ABILITY NOT A COMPLETE LOSS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 709867 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 819576 · 1997-12-01 (December 1, 1997)

FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE. DRIVING AT 65 MPH OR HIGH AND LOW SPEED, ENGINE WILL STOP OR LOSE BRAKES/ POWER STEERING. DEALER REPLACED 3 PUMPS. THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 819576 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10044682 · 2003-10-24 (October 24, 2003)

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A METAL BRAKE LINE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044682 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

43 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

16.3%Usable mileage7 / 43 records

72.1%Valid incident date31 / 43 records

100.0%Valid filing date43 / 43 records

72.1%Ordered incident and filing dates31 / 43 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1988	1989	1990	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	216.7% ODI 805963 ON WET PAVEMENT THE FRONT ABS BRAKES WILL FAIL, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH NEARLY RESULTED IN A CRASH. AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ABS IS DESIGNED TO BRAKE 70 PERCENT IN THE FRONT AND 30 PERCENT IN THE BACK, 2 WHEELS ARE STOPPING 8400 POUNDS AND THE BACK 4 TIRES ARE STOPPING 3600 POUNDS. SLC Look up ODI 805963 at NHTSA ↗	646.2% ODI 531781 ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION. Look up ODI 531781 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 875053 INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF DRIVER. *AK Look up ODI 875053 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 834917 WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIME'S CONSUMER HAS TO GO UNDER THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE HARNESS WIRE. *AK Look up ODI 834917 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10050695 · 63,750 mi MALFUCTIONING WINDSHIELD WIPERS:993 CHEVROLET K3500 WIPER PROBLEM. WAS INFORMED BY A RELATIVE ABOUT A RECALL EFFECTING THEIR TWO TRUCKS CONCERNING A WIPER FAILURE. THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO DETERIORATION OF A SOLDERED CONNECTION ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE FAILURE MODE IS THAT THE WIPERS JUST QUIT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE RECALL (J#97CZT02054 I BELIEVE) WAS FIRST INITIATED TO COVER 98 AND UP. IT WAS LATER EXTENDED TO COVER THE 94-97 MODELS. THE 98 RECALL NUMBER IS 98043 I BELIEVE. I ASSUME THAT I HAVE THE SAME PART IN MY 93,:… Look up ODI 10050695 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	216.7% ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 884225 REAR AXLE CAME OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ENITRE WINDSHIED WIPER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK Look up ODI 884225 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 506461 POWER BOOSTER BRAKE REPLACED. Look up ODI 506461 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 514777 VEHICLE STALLS, HESITATES, PARKING LIGHTS FAILED, BATTERIES EXPLODED, WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, ETC. Look up ODI 514777 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 897686 FUEL INJECTORS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THEY KEPT DISINTEGRADING. ALSO, HAD TO KEEP REPLACING THEM TWICE. ENGINE MISSED AND RAN ROUGHLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ALSO, DEALER STATED IT WAS BECAUSE OF FUEL CONSUMER WAS BURNING. *AK Look up ODI 897686 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 828956 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 Look up ODI 828956 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 709867 LOSS OF ALL BRAKING POWER FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. I KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES AS I DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND BRAKING POWER RETURNED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT ALL POWER WAS LOST, IT IS USUALLY A DECREASE IN BRAKING ABILITY NOT A COMPLETE LOSS. Look up ODI 709867 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.7% ODI 732109 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 Look up ODI 732109 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 806063 WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE . CONSUMER STATES THE BEARING ALSO LOCKED UP, THE ALTERNATOR CAUSED THE ABS BRAKE AND REGULAR BRAKE LIGHT FUSES TO BLOW. *SLC Look up ODI 806063 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	216.7% ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Tires:Tread/Belt	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 559402 BOTH FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ALTHOUGH THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE TREAD DEPTH LEFT ON BOTH, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND (GOODYEAR WRANGLER LT245/75R16 M&S LOAD RANGE E). NLM Look up ODI 559402 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10067585 · 75,843 mi ON MARCH 21, 2004 IWAS TRAVELING FROM MIAMI TO ORLANDO WHEN ONE OF MY TRUCK TIRE BLEW THE TREAD OFF THE TIRE. AT THIS TIME I SAW A FHP AND STOP TO REPORT THE THE INCIDENT(REPORT # 02273824) THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAPPENS WITH THIS TIRES, I STILL HAVE FOUR MORE INSTALL ON MY TRUCK AND I'M AFRAID THAT SOMETHING WORSE OCCOURS WITH THIS TIRES. *AK Look up ODI 10067585 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer	Too few reports for a range	63,750 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10050695 · 63,750 mi MALFUCTIONING WINDSHIELD WIPERS:993 CHEVROLET K3500 WIPER PROBLEM. WAS INFORMED BY A RELATIVE ABOUT A RECALL EFFECTING THEIR TWO TRUCKS CONCERNING A WIPER FAILURE. THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO DETERIORATION OF A SOLDERED CONNECTION ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE FAILURE MODE IS THAT THE WIPERS JUST QUIT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE RECALL (J#97CZT02054 I BELIEVE) WAS FIRST INITIATED TO COVER 98 AND UP. IT WAS LATER EXTENDED TO COVER THE 94-97 MODELS. THE 98 RECALL NUMBER IS 98043 I BELIEVE. I ASSUME THAT I HAVE THE SAME PART IN MY 93,:… Look up ODI 10050695 at NHTSA ↗
Tires:Tread/Belt	Too few reports for a range	75,843 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10067585 · 75,843 mi ON MARCH 21, 2004 IWAS TRAVELING FROM MIAMI TO ORLANDO WHEN ONE OF MY TRUCK TIRE BLEW THE TREAD OFF THE TIRE. AT THIS TIME I SAW A FHP AND STOP TO REPORT THE THE INCIDENT(REPORT # 02273824) THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAPPENS WITH THIS TIRES, I STILL HAVE FOUR MORE INSTALL ON MY TRUCK AND I'M AFRAID THAT SOMETHING WORSE OCCOURS WITH THIS TIRES. *AK Look up ODI 10067585 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1995: 3 complaints · 1996: 7 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1995	0	2	3
1996	1	4	7

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1995	7	5	0
1996	10	3	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	Service Brakes, Air:Antilock	Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	Tires	Tires:Tread/Belt
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer	0	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	0	1 ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	0
Tires	0	1 ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 532921 WINDSHIELD WIPER REGULATORS FAILED. Look up ODI 532921 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Tires:Tread/Belt	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

5 mentions · 11.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 150,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10044682 · 150,000 mi

Look up ODI 10044682 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 531781

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION.

Look up ODI 531781 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 732109

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

Look up ODI 732109 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 4.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10039790

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT ENGINE PROBLEMS. ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT HAD NO ANSWERS TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER STATED THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE UNLESS THEY TOOK THE ENGINE APART.*AK

Look up ODI 10039790 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 514777

VEHICLE STALLS, HESITATES, PARKING LIGHTS FAILED, BATTERIES EXPLODED, WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, ETC.

Look up ODI 514777 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 819576

FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE. DRIVING AT 65 MPH OR HIGH AND LOW SPEED, ENGINE WILL STOP OR LOSE BRAKES/ POWER STEERING. DEALER REPLACED 3 PUMPS. THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Look up ODI 819576 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11244000 · 59,000 mi

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, [phone removed]) AND SHORTLINE BUICK GMC (1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, [phone removed]) 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 CON…

Look up ODI 11244000 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b