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Gmc P3500 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Gmc P3500 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
29
Years to Avoid
1999, 1987, 1974
Best Years
1983, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1972
1999Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls8 TSBs
1998
0 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1997
0 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1996
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
1995
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
1994
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1993
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1992
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1991
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1990
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1989
1 complaints2 recalls
1988
0 complaints1 recalls
1987Avoid
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1986
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1985
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1984
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980
0 complaints2 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974Avoid
0 complaints3 recalls
1973
0 complaints1 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1971
0 complaints2 recalls

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 P3500 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1999, 1987, 1974 Gmc P3500 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Gmc P3500, consider the 1983, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1972 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

29 model years analyzed