U.S. public vehicle records

Gmc C3500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

26 owner complaints analyzed

9 distinct recall campaigns

190,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1970 to 1996 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 26 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	10	38.5%
Transmission and shifting	2	7.7%
Engine operation	1	3.8%
Electrical and battery issues	1	3.8%
Steering behavior	1	3.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Tires

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components

Structure:Frame And Members

Electrical System

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	5
Tires	3
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	2
Structure:Frame And Members	2
Electrical System	1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Tires: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Electrical System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2016

1995: 6; 1996: 6; 1997: 3; 1998: 4; 1999: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2016: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 836598 · 1999-04-08 (April 8, 1999)

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 836598 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 487816 · 1995-11-27 (November 27, 1995)

REAR BRAKES FAILED. *DSH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487816 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 986762 · 1996-07-11 (July 11, 1996)

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MOVING FROM COLD START AUTO-TRANSMISSION MAY NOT CAUSE IT TO MOVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986762 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 978267 · 1996-01-26 (January 26, 1996)

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH BLOCK HEATER PLUGGED WITH TRANSMISSION IN GEAR AND STARTED UP AND DROVE THRU THE GARAGE WITH ENGINE ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978267 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 855337 · 2000-01-21 (January 21, 2000)

WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORTMATON. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855337 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 514865 · 1997-02-19 (February 19, 1997)

ELECTRICAL FIRE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 514865 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1986

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1986: 0; 1988: 1; 1989: 2; 1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 2; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Gmc C3500 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1970	0	1	Not available
1971	0	3	+2
1974	0	1	Not available
1986	1	0	Not available
1988	1	1	Not available
1989	1	2	+1
1990	0	2	0
1991	2	1	-1
1992	2	2	+1
1993	4	1	-1
1994	8	1	0
1995	5	0	-1
1996	2	0	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

26 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

3.8%Usable mileage1 / 26 records

80.8%Valid incident date21 / 26 records

100.0%Valid filing date26 / 26 records

80.8%Ordered incident and filing dates21 / 26 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	1986	1988	1989	1990	1991	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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2100.0% ODI 527080 ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 527080 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	337.5% ODI 510606 ANTILOCK BRAKES FAIL ON WET PAVEMENT. Look up ODI 510606 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Tires	1100.0% ODI 523584 REAR DUAL TIRES FELL OFF CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) Look up ODI 523584 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	250.0% ODI 482982 RACK AND PINION SEAL REPLACED. Look up ODI 482982 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.
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	240.0% ODI 783647 THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS RECONNECTED THE SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR STILL OCCURS. *SLC Look up ODI 783647 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 835391 THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE GMC 1996, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK Look up ODI 835391 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 482982 RACK AND PINION SEAL REPLACED. Look up ODI 482982 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 978267 VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH BLOCK HEATER PLUGGED WITH TRANSMISSION IN GEAR AND STARTED UP AND DROVE THRU THE GARAGE WITH ENGINE ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. Look up ODI 978267 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 500217 CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM. *SD Look up ODI 500217 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 986762 INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MOVING FROM COLD START AUTO-TRANSMISSION MAY NOT CAUSE IT TO MOVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 986762 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 836598 WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *AK Look up ODI 836598 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	112.5% ODI 974182 VEHICLES BRAKING SYSTEM IN FRONT ON WET ROADS WHEEL LOCK-UP. TT DEALER REPLACED BRAKE VALVE AND BRAKE LININGS. *SLC Look up ODI 974182 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	225.0% ODI 500795 FRONT FRAME FAILED. TT Look up ODI 500795 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 514865 ELECTRICAL FIRE. Look up ODI 514865 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable 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.	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
No usable records for this analysis.

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
2024-11	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	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (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: 1 complaints · 1996: 1 complaints

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

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	4	1	0
1996	1	1	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	Tires	Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	Structure:Frame And Members	Electrical System
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tires	0	—	0	1 ODI 482982 RACK AND PINION SEAL REPLACED. Look up ODI 482982 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	1 ODI 482982 RACK AND PINION SEAL REPLACED. Look up ODI 482982 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Structure:Frame And Members	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System	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

3 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

6 mentions · 23.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 487816

REAR BRAKES FAILED. *DSH

Look up ODI 487816 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 527080

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Look up ODI 527080 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 820995

WHEN TRAVELING ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A SUDDEN OR A GRADUAL STOP, THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 820995 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 3.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 855337

WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORTMATON. *AK

Look up ODI 855337 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 3.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 836598

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *AK

Look up ODI 836598 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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