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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1998–2009

Chevrolet W3500 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 17 owner complaints for the Chevrolet W3500, covering model years 1998 to 2009. The 2003 and 2004 model years drew the most complaints (4 each), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Chevrolet W3500 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 17 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 9 model years with data (1998–2009)
  • most complaints: 2003, 2004 (4 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (5 complaints)
  • latest recall 17V324000 (reported May 17, 2017)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Chevrolet W3500 complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2003 and 2004 model years share the highest count, 4 complaints each. Next come 2001 (2) and 2005 (2). The fewest are for 1998, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Chevrolet W3500 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1998–2007Column chart of 17 complaints across 10 model years. The highest are 2003, 2004 with 4 each. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1998: 1 complaint119981999: 0 complaints19992000: 0 complaints20002001: 2 complaints220012002: 0 complaints20022003: 4 complaints420032004: 4 complaints420042005: 2 complaints220052006: 2 complaints220062007: 2 complaints22007
Chevrolet W3500 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Chevrolet W3500 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199810000
200120000
200340000
200440000
200520000
200620000
200720000
All model years170000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Chevrolet W3500 components

top 11 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 5 complaints (29.4% of all 17), followed by Electrical System (3) and Power Train (3).

Components named most often in Chevrolet W3500 complaints (top 11)
Components named most often in Chevrolet W3500 complaints (top 11)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling529.4%
Electrical System317.6%
Power Train317.6%
Steering317.6%
Fuel System, Gasoline211.8%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic211.8%
Tires211.8%
Engine15.9%
Structure15.9%
Suspension15.9%
Wheels15.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Chevrolet W3500 recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name W3500, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model years 1998 to 2009. The 2006, 2007 and 2008 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 7 recall campaigns
Chevrolet W3500 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1998: 1 campaign1999: no campaigns
2000: no campaigns2001: no campaigns2002: no campaigns2003: 1 campaign2004: 1 campaign2005: no campaigns2006: 3 campaigns2007: 3 campaigns2008: 3 campaigns2009: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 17V324000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal

    Model years 2008–2009

    Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 and 2012-2013 Isuzu NPR and NPR HD vehicles and 2008-2009 GMC W3500 and GMC W4500 vehicles. The affected vehicles, equipped with a gasoline-powered engine, have a throttle pedal that may get stuck under the steel stopper bolt, causing the pedal to remain in the full throttle position.

    Consequence:
    A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the stopper bolt with a flanged plate, to prevent lateral movement of the throttle, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2017. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638.

    Filed by Isuzu Motors Limited

  2. NHTSA campaign 15V704000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model years 2006–2008

    Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Isuzu NPR and NPR-HD and Chevrolet W3500 and W4500 trucks manufactured March 16, 2005, to August 13, 2008 and 2006-2008 GMC W3500 and W4500 trucks manufactured July 18, 2005, to August 13, 2008. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may corrode and leak fuel.

    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Isuzu issued an interim notification to owners on December 18, 2015. The recall began on April 8, 2016. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 10V636000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling

    Model years 2006–2007

    Isuzu is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Isuzu NPR, NQR, NRR, GMC W3500, W4500, W5500, and Chevrolet W3500, W4500, and W5500 vehicles. The oil pipe bolts were not tightened properly during the vehicle production process. If not adequately tightened, the bolt may loosen after prolonged vehicle operation, which can result in oil seepage or leakage from the packing seals. In general, as oil is lost, the oil warning lamp will illuminate, and there may be abnormal engine noise and loss of oil can cause engine seizure.

    Consequence:
    If the engine seizes while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle may experience sudden deceleration leading to an increased risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the packing seals with new ones and the bolt will be tightened with a specified torque. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on January 28, 2011. Owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 09V042000

    Reported

    Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

    Model years 2008–2009

    Izusu is recalling 2,836 MY 2008-2009 NPR/NQR and NRR, GMC W3500, 4500 and 5500, Chevrolet W3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks. The propeller shaft was manufactured with insufficient high frequency heat treatment. As a result, the affected portion of the propeller shaft may not maintain its durability through the expected vehicle useful life.

    Consequence:
    The propeller shaft could break off while the vehicle is being driving, which would result in the vehicle stalling and coasting to a stop, or loss of vehicle control which could result in a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the propeller shaft free of charge. The recall began on March 5, 2009. Owners may contact Isuzu at 1-866-441-9638.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 08V251000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Diesel

    Model years 2006–2007

    Isuzu is recalling 16,859 MY 2006-2007 Isuzu NPR, NQR, NRR, GMC W3500, W4500, W5500 and Chevrolet W3500, W4500, W5500 trucks equipped with diesel engines. Diesel fuel may seep or leak from the fuel pipe at the upper or lower fuel port on the diesel fuel supply pump.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the vehicles and if no seepage or leakage is detected, the fuel pipe fittings will be tightened. If seepage or leakage is detected, the fuel supply pump will be replaced with a new one. The recall will begin on June 30, 2008. Owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438..

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 05V168000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model years 2003–2004

    On certain trucks equipped with rpo IK9, due to insufficient durability and testing, the fuel switching manifold solenoids lack water or salt intrusion resistance, which can lead to failure of one or more solenoids. Fuel switching manifold solenoid failure will cause incorrect fuel delivery resulting in fuel overflow from the fuel filler neck.

    Consequence:
    Overflow fuel may result in high amount of diesel fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the solenoid valve assembly with an improved assembly including additional detection circuit and enhanced water resistance free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2005. Owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.

    Filed by Isuzu Motors Limited

  7. NHTSA campaign 98V151002

    Reported

    Steering › Gear Box (Other Than Rack and Pinion)

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: truck chassis. The intermediate steering shaft-to-steering bolt was not tightened properly during assembly. This can cause steering noise, loose steering, and an uncentered steering wheel.

    Consequence:
    Loss of steering could result.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the steering shaft and retighten to the specified torque.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Chevrolet W3500 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Chevrolet W3500 have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Chevrolet W3500, covering model years 1998 to 2009. The most recent, 17V324000, was reported on May 17, 2017 and is filed under “Vehicle speed control”. The 2006, 2007 and 2008 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Chevrolet W3500 model year has the most complaints?

The 2003 and 2004 model years tie, with 4 complaints each out of 17. The next are 2001 (2) and 2005 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Chevrolet W3500 complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 5 complaints, or 29.4% of all 17. Electrical System (3) and Power Train (3) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Chevrolet W3500?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Chevrolet dealer.

How many Chevrolet W3500 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 17 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Chevrolet models

8 models · most complaints first

The Chevrolet models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Chevrolet VIN decoder with every Chevrolet model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Chevrolet models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.