Total Complaints
32 filings
CHEVROLET C3500 · model year
1994 CHEVROLET C3500
32 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994CHEVROLETC3500 carries 32 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 C3500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 3 filings, followed by power train:clutch assembly (3) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1994 C3500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
32
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20031214VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR QUIT WITHOUT NOTICE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AND START AGAIN . *AK
Mileage: 57,216
20021120POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR TIRES MEASURE APPROX. 96 FRONT TIRES APPROX 91. DT
20010517POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
WHILE PULLING A HEAVY LOAD WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CLUTCH. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF HEAT COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE IN ENGINE BEING TOO EXCESSIVE, AND CAUSING SLAVE CYLINDER TO MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO THE SLAVE CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. *JB
20010517SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE PULLING A HEAVY LOAD WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CLUTCH. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF HEAT COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE IN ENGINE BEING TOO EXCESSIVE, AND CAUSING SLAVE CYLINDER TO MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO THE SLAVE CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. *JB
20010517POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
WHILE PULLING A HEAVY LOAD WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CLUTCH. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF HEAT COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE IN ENGINE BEING TOO EXCESSIVE, AND CAUSING SLAVE CYLINDER TO MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO THE SLAVE CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. *JB
20001120ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2ND 1-95 SORRY 3RD 9-95 STRANGE 4TH. 10-97 DEFECTIVE PUMPS 4TH. 10-97 REBUILD DEFECTIVE PUMP 5TH 4-00 COST $1559.63 DEFECTIVE PUMP 6TH 11-00 DEFECTIVE PUMP $1900.00 PLEASE CALL FOR DETAIL ALL WORK DONE AT SAME DEALER. *AK
20000822ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 951005000, GM RECALL NO: 94C57/ THIS IS A PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT STARTED ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE. DURING THE FIST TWO YEARS THE INJECTOR PUMP WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. NOW I HEAR OF THE RECALL AND GM @ 1-800-222-1020 FILE NO: C01138552 SAY THEY HAVE NO RECALLS OF THIS NATURE ON MY DIESEL POWERED TRUCK. AT THE PRESENT TIME MY VEHICLE STALLS, HAS VERY POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE, MISFIRES, STALLS AFTER START, AND SOMETIMES STALLS DURING DECELERATION. ONE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME AFTER A PUMP REPLACEMENT, IF THE SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK, TO NOT COME BACK TO THEM, TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. AT TIMES THIS ENGINE WILL QUIT WITH NO WARNING, IN TRAFFIC, GOING AROUND A CURVE, OR @ 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY COURSE OF ACTION I MAY HAVE TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK
20000822FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 951005000, GM RECALL NO: 94C57/ THIS IS A PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT STARTED ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE. DURING THE FIST TWO YEARS THE INJECTOR PUMP WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. NOW I HEAR OF THE RECALL AND GM @ 1-800-222-1020 FILE NO: C01138552 SAY THEY HAVE NO RECALLS OF THIS NATURE ON MY DIESEL POWERED TRUCK. AT THE PRESENT TIME MY VEHICLE STALLS, HAS VERY POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE, MISFIRES, STALLS AFTER START, AND SOMETIMES STALLS DURING DECELERATION. ONE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME AFTER A PUMP REPLACEMENT, IF THE SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK, TO NOT COME BACK TO THEM, TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. AT TIMES THIS ENGINE WILL QUIT WITH NO WARNING, IN TRAFFIC, GOING AROUND A CURVE, OR @ 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY COURSE OF ACTION I MAY HAVE TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK
20000210VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO A BAD SOLDER JOINT. DEALER SAYS IT'S NOT ON RECALL. *AK
19990921VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIED WIPERS FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOARD, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY IN BAD WEAHTER CONDITIONS. *YC
19990217ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
TURBO BRACKET BROKE, REPLACE BRACKET.
19980126SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE REAR ABS BRAKES FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. REPLACED BRAKING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19971203VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPERS FAILED ON MANY OCCASIONS, AT TIMES AFFECTS VISIBILITY,ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.
19971107SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES: WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT. INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKES WILL PULSATE, FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN PUSHING ON THEM. *AK
19970831POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH DOWN AND THERE'RE DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING GEARS. THE CLUTCH BALL AND FORK WERE BROKEN. ALSO, PROBLEMS EXISTED WITH THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.
19970527ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
19970527EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PARKING LIGHTS FAILED.
19970527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY EXPLODED.
19970527VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW MOTOR INOPERATIVE.
19970409FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTION PUMP. THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP WAS REPLACED (5) TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. GM DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND DESIGN FLAW. *AK
Compare 1994CHEVROLETC3500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 CHEVROLET C3500 have?▼
The 1994 CHEVROLET C3500 has 32 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 CHEVROLET C3500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 CHEVROLET C3500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR.
Is the 1994 CHEVROLET C3500 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.