Total Complaints
17 filings
CHEVROLET K3500 · model year
1996 CHEVROLET K3500
17 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996CHEVROLETK3500 carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 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 1996 K3500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 6 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (1) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads (1). 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 1996 K3500, 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.
17
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 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 | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| TRAILER HITCHES | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20190814FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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, (720) 259-0391) AND SHORTLINE BUICK GMC (1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, (303) 751-3400) 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 CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5424607971. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 59,000
20190814ENGINE
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, (720) 259-0391) AND SHORTLINE BUICK GMC (1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, (303) 751-3400) 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 CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5424607971. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 59,000
20070417CrashTRAILER HITCHES
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 92,000 MILES. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A TRAILER HITCH ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRAILER HITCH FAILED. THE TRAILER BROKE THE SAFETY CHAINS AND IT CRASHED INTO A DITCH, WHICH DESTROYED THE TRAILER AND THE VEHICLE IN TOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HITCH WAS HIGH FOR THE TRIPLE BALL ASSEMBLY. *AK
Mileage: 92,000
20010326POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE CAME OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ENITRE WINDSHIED WIPER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
20010326VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
REAR AXLE CAME OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ENITRE WINDSHIED WIPER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
20001120SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS.*AK
20000927SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
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
20000424SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR BRAKES KEEP FAILING, EVEN AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS FROM DEALER TO CORRECT DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19981014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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
19981014VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
19980821SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING CONTINUOUS BRAKE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEEL WOULD LOCK-UP ( ONE WHEEL WOULD LOCK OR PULL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER). VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. *AK
19980424SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PAD DESIGN CAUSES BRAKES TO LOCK UP WHEN PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED.
19980424SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK
19980415SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY BRAKES LOCK UP. THE BRAKES ARE PULLING, CAUSING ONE DISC BRAKE TO PULL MORE THAN THE OTHER WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES CAN'T STOP, VEHICLE HAS TO COAST TO A STOP. *AK
19980331SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION.
19970708SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES/ROTORS: BRAKES LOCK UP PERIODICALLY; PISTON SEIZED, BRAKE ROTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE FAILED. HAVE HAD IN FOR REPAIRS TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *AK
19970708SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES/ROTORS: BRAKES LOCK UP PERIODICALLY; PISTON SEIZED, BRAKE ROTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE FAILED. HAVE HAD IN FOR REPAIRS TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *AK
Compare 1996CHEVROLETK3500 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 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 have?▼
The 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 has 17 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CHEVROLET K3500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS.
Is the 1996 CHEVROLET K3500 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.