Owners have filed 46 complaints
about the 1994 Chevrolet 1500 with NHTSA between 2000 and 2006.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 39
Against the median year of the Chevrolet 1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 20
12% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Motor
1842.9%
Windshield Wiper/Washer
1433.3%
Switch
49.5%
Recliner
24.8%
Motor
12.4%
Electrical Heating Element
12.4%
Driveshaft
12.4%
Rotor
12.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
15.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
15.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
15.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
423.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
423.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
211.8%
150,000+ miles
423.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2000peak 4Aug 2006
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 156,000 milesBelton, SCCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION BOTH OF THE FRONT SEATS WERE KNOCKED INTO FULL RECLINING POSITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SEATS FOUR YEARS AGO. RECENTLY, THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE SEAT AND AGAIN THE SEAT FELL INTO THE RECLINING POSITION. *AK A BOLT IN THE RECLINER HAD BROKEN. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10080139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesMidlothian, VA1 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10043724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lapeer, MICrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD.
NHTSA complaint #10017625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 50,000 milesMillington, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
1994 CHEVROLET PICKUP...BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BUT IS NOT RESOLVED !! I HAVE REPLACED THIS PART TWICE,AND HAVE ALSO HAD THE FREE REPLACEMENT BY CHEVROLET....WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE PART WILL FAIL AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. FURTHERMORE,IF YOU HAVE THE CRUISE APPLIED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILS TO LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED THE CRUISE WILL NOT RELEASE !!! THE RAMIFICATIONS ARE CLEAR....... THIS SITUATION NEEDS TO BE RE-ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!!
NHTSA complaint #10164963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millington, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TOOK MY 1994 CHEVROLET P/U TO MILLINGTON CHEVROLET FOR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL. (HAD TO TAKE OFF WORK TO DO THIS) AFTER RECEIVING MY VEHICLE BACK I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERUSE THEIR HANDIWORK AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THEY HAD NEGLECTED TO REVERSE THE POLARITY OF THE ORANGE AND WHITE WIRES PER THE RECALL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WAS WHEN I TAPPED MY BRAKES TO COME-OFF CRUISE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AGAIN, THIS TIME HARDER, AND THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND STARTED PULLING HARDER!! I QUICKLY DISENGAGED THE CRUISE WITH THE ON/OFF CONTROLLER ON THE STALK, NARROWLY PREVENTING A DISASTER.
NHTSA complaint #10108494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesAnchorage, AK
SEATS
THE SEAT BOLTS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO RECLINE BACK AND FORWARD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 4 OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10108887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesOregon, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIPERS WILL NOT COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10103210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harker Heights, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE DEALER WHERE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LIED ABOUT HAVING FIXED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN 1998 IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10058095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harker Heights, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE DEALER WHERE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LIED ABOUT HAVING FIXED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN 1998 IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10058095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesJacksonville, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
03 V 159 000/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN OPERATING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10087968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesBelton, SCCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION BOTH OF THE FRONT SEATS WERE KNOCKED INTO FULL RECLINING POSITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SEATS FOUR YEARS AGO. RECENTLY, THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE SEAT AND AGAIN THE SEAT FELL INTO THE RECLINING POSITION. *AK A BOLT IN THE RECLINER HAD BROKEN. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10080139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesCarmel, IN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN IT WAS RAINING WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL 03V159000 WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10079734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,000 milesShermans Dale, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. A MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT LEFT FRONT ROTOR CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10075455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellbrook, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY STOPPED FUNCTIONING DURING MOVEMENT. *AK THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ALTHOUGH THEY INDICATED THAT THEY SENT TWO.
NHTSA complaint #10062944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,200 milesRansomville, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK (INTERMITTENT PROBLEM)
NHTSA complaint #10053712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chattanooga, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10052165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesASH Land, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER WORK ONLY WHEN THEY CHOOSE --HAVE CHECKED AND RECALL NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY 1994 CHEVROLET FULLSIZE P\U THEY HAVE STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVEING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10051196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesLodi, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE WHILE SNOWING, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10051777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMokena, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE BOLTS THAT ENGAGED THE SEAT TO THE FRAME. RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, BUT THE FOUNDATION OF THE SEAT BROKE. CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE.
NHTSA complaint #10047955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesMidlothian, VA1 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10043724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plum City, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10043968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesFrankfort, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
I HAVE A 1994 CHEVY SILVERADO THAT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIPERS STOPPING DURING RUNNING. THERE IS A RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT DID NOT QULIFY FOR THE RECALL. SEEING AS THIS PROBLEM IS CLEARLY ON THIS TRUCK IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10039434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpena, AR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10039830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meridian, ID
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER TO GET THE WIPERS TO WORK AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10038618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesMeridian, ID
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER TO GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10038627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pageland, SC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000; BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10037837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesAustin, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000; BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10037664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, IL
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10034183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.