2000 Chevrolet C3500 Base 6.5 diesel

Summary:

Force 10 Disaster

General Comments:

NEVER BY GM!!! Never think diesel will save you money. It will save you on gas, but never on repairs.

My 3500 diesel truck stalls for no reason. Won't work again till the engine cools down. Took it to the dealer; said they have to replace the fuel pump for $6000! Took it to shop, and did it for $1500. After a while, it started stalling again. Did a Google search, and it turned out all of these trucks stall for no reason due to a PMD Driver (a computer that controls the fuel pump). The PMD overheats and stalls because it is located close to the exhaust manifold. Had to buy a new PMD and a re-location kit. Costs only $500 max. Very serious problem that GM refuses to recall or even fix, they want to steal $6000 for nothing!

Shame on GM, I will never buy anything made by GM in my life. This stalling problem is worse than the Toyota "gas pedal" problem! If your gas pedal is stuck, simply put your tranny into neutral and press the brakes and steer your car to a safe place. If your car stalls, you lose your brakes and power steering! Imagine you're approaching a red light, or a curved road!! Disaster!! NEVER BUY GM, NEVER NEVER NEVER!!! Ford is the best domestic make, other than that, go to import trucks. STAY AWAY FROM GM, BUYER BEWARE.

Head gasket gone at 200k miles.

Tranny gone at 202k miles.

GM diesel trucks do not last forever. Engine costs me $10000, tranny cost $5000, bought truck for $8000, $23000 for a piece of JUNK!

Very hard to service, everything is too compact.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th November, 2010

14th Feb 2016, 18:22

Old post, but you complain about a vehicle you bought with 195,000 miles on it. Those kind of miles usually mark the end of any kind of normal reliability, and the cost of operation will most likely be high. High mileage vehicle purchases should be left to hobbyist or skilled mechanics who know how to keep them running or used as parts vehicles - not normal everyday transportation. A faulty PMD module is an age related issue caused by internal corrosion and deterioration of the heat resistant insulation material used to keep the module sealed. Ignition modules in gasoline powered vehicles fail for the exact same reason.

Bottom Line: You bought a worn out high mileage clunker. Reliability would be sketchy at best. Breaking down should not surprise you.

2001 Chevrolet C3500 LS 6.6 Duramax

Summary:

Very good truck. I would buy again

Faults:

Stitching coming apart on the drivers seat.

Check engine light. I read the code and it seems like it's a loose glow plug connection or a bad glow plug.

Tailgate hits the 3 light bar.

Heat shield rattling.

Other than that, nothing has gone wrong (knock on wood).

General Comments:

It is the most comfortable diesel truck I've had. I've had a Superduty 6.0, 7.3 and a Dodge Cummins also.

Great power.

Great brakes.

Great handling / stability.

Great towing.

Great comfort.

Good mpg.

Good looks.

Bad turning radius (Dodge owns in this department).

Bad plastic pieces (like all domestics).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th May, 2010

1995 Chevrolet C3500 Silverado 454 7.4L

Summary:

One great truck!

Faults:

General maintenance issues: belts, hoses, water pump, all filters & fluids flushed & changed out.

Front end worked needed, front brake pads replaced also & aligned front end. Engine runs great.

General Comments:

Needed this truck for towing a car hauler. Great used truck buy, comfortable & powerful. Extended cab version with lots of extra room. Two wheel drive & a gear/venders overdrive unit installed, along with Banks ram-air intake, headers & muffler. This baby runs very well, even my wife likes to ride along in it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st May, 2009

1976 Chevrolet C3500 Silverado 454

Summary:

The best of the mid/late 70's period!

Faults:

Sure wish there were more of these out there unmolested and stock from the factory. Best trucks ever made.

Rust issues are easy to curb with some extra care in drying inside the wheel-wells with an old towel after washing or driving on wet roads.

General Comments:

This old truck rides and drives better than my 1998 Chevy Extended cab.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th December, 2008

9th Dec 2008, 13:21

I couldn't agree more. These trucks were awesome! Too bad GM can't take a lesson from the past, as they are destroying themselves with the pieces of crap they are building now. No wonder the Japanese have cornered the market!

If GM refuses to make the necessary changes, and start building real cars & trucks again, then they deserve what they're going to get. Extinction! Along with Ford and Chrysler. Too bad no one will miss them.

13th Dec 2012, 21:38

Sorry, but any vehicle that requires drying of the inside of the "wheel-wells" with a towel to prevent rusting, does not exactly sound like a well-made vehicle.

In reply to 13th Dec 2012, 21:38

16th Mar 2013, 23:05

Drying inside the wheel-wells with an old towel is a 15 minute job at the most, and is a small price to pay for such a great vehicle. Remember, GM isn't making any more good trucks anymore, maintenance is more important than ever.