Chevrolet W3500 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet W3500, across 10 model years (1998–2009). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (4). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Chevrolet W3500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No W3500 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 W3500: 4 complaints, 1 recall
- 2003 W3500: 4 complaints, 1 recall
- 2007 W3500: 2 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1998 W3500: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 2001 W3500: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2005 W3500: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Chevrolet W3500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Chevrolet W3500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 W3500 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2008 W3500 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2007 W3500 | 2 | 3 | — | Engine | |
| 2006 W3500 | 2 | 3 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2005 W3500 | 2 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2004 W3500 | 4 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 W3500 | 4 | 1 | — | Steering | |
| 2001 W3500 | 2 | 0 | — | Steering | |
| 2000 W3500 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 1998 W3500 | 1 | 1 | — | Wheels |
More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet W3500 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2004 (4), 2003 (4), 2007 (2). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet W3500?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 5 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet W3500 have?
7 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.