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Gmc C3500 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Gmc C3500 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
27
Best Years
1973, 1972
1996
2 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1995
5 complaints1 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1994
9 complaints2 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
1993
20 complaints2 recalls2 TSBs
1992
2 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs
1991
2 complaints2 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1990
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1989
1 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1988
1 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1987
0 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1986
1 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1985
0 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1984
0 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1983
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1982
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1981
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1980
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1979
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1978
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1977
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1976
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1975
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1974
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1971
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1970
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Gmc C3500 Years Should You Avoid?

The Gmc C3500 shows relatively consistent reliability across model years, with no single year standing out as significantly worse than others.

If you're shopping for a used Gmc C3500, consider the 1973, 1972 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

27 model years analyzed