Owners have filed 60 complaints
about the 1994 Chevrolet C/K Pickups with NHTSA between 1997 and 2010.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 10 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 — 72
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C/K Pickups. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 17
3.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 10
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1994 compares with every other Chevrolet C/K Pickups
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.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
1942.2%
Motor
1431.1%
Switch
48.9%
Tread/Belt
36.7%
Brake Lights
24.4%
Anti-Theft Devices
12.2%
Switch/Wiring
12.2%
Warning Light/Devices
12.2%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
13.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
13.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
515.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
412.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1854.5%
150,000+ miles
412.1%
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.
Oct 1997peak 4Sep 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA02006Opened 31 May 2002Closed 23 Jul 2003VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Recalls on the 1994 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
03V159000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Denton, TXFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FACSIMILE FROM SENATOR CORNYN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH HIS 1994 CHEVROLET TRUCK. *NJ WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID HAVE A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #10261251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FACSIMILE FROM SENATOR CORNYN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH HIS 1994 CHEVROLET TRUCK. *NJ WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID HAVE A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #10261251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 53,000 milesArgusville, ND
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUP. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPERS WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #10357319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesHemlock, MI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1994 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK SPARE TIRE HOLDER CABLE RUSTED AND THEN BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, CAN RELEASE SPARE TIRE ON HIGHWAY. MY BROTHER ALMOST HIT ON HEAD WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE OF SPARE TIRE. *TR 4/2/09 CONSUMER IS UPDATING INFORMATION. *NJ UPDATED 04/06/09
NHTSA complaint #10261959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesHemlock, MI
EQUIPMENT
1994 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK SPARE TIRE HOLDER CABLE RUSTED AND THEN BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, CAN RELEASE SPARE TIRE ON HIGHWAY. MY BROTHER ALMOST HIT ON HEAD WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE OF SPARE TIRE. *TR 4/2/09 CONSUMER IS UPDATING INFORMATION. *NJ UPDATED 04/06/09
NHTSA complaint #10261959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TXFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FACSIMILE FROM SENATOR CORNYN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH HIS 1994 CHEVROLET TRUCK. *NJ WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID HAVE A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #10261251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FACSIMILE FROM SENATOR CORNYN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH HIS 1994 CHEVROLET TRUCK. *NJ WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID HAVE A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #10261251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBirmingham, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
MY WIPERS WORK AT TIMES, HOWEVER MOST OF THE TIME I CANNOT GET THEM TO WORK AT ALL. I HAVE THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THAT IS INCLUDED IN RECALL# 03V159000. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO MY VIN, MY TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE RECALL IS DUE TO A DEFECT WHICH IF PRESENT WILL CAUSE YOUR WIPERS TO DO EXACTLY WHAT MY WIPERS ARE DOING. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE SAME ISSUE ON MORE VIN'S THAN ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED. GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE WIPER MOTOR COMPONENTS. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR THEM NOT TO.
NHTSA complaint #10210035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBirmingham, AL
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
MY WIPERS WORK AT TIMES, HOWEVER MOST OF THE TIME I CANNOT GET THEM TO WORK AT ALL. I HAVE THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THAT IS INCLUDED IN RECALL# 03V159000. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO MY VIN, MY TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE RECALL IS DUE TO A DEFECT WHICH IF PRESENT WILL CAUSE YOUR WIPERS TO DO EXACTLY WHAT MY WIPERS ARE DOING. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE SAME ISSUE ON MORE VIN'S THAN ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED. GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE WIPER MOTOR COMPONENTS. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR THEM NOT TO.
NHTSA complaint #10210035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesBakersfeld, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET C/K PICKUP. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 1996 AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/14/08
NHTSA complaint #10209656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesElizabeth City, NC
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DUNLOP TIRE FAILURE - BLOWOUT.
NHTSA complaint #10169039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesElizabeth City, NC
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE BLEW OUT ON RT 95 NEAR BRUNSWICK, GA. TIRES HAD APPROXIMATELY 10/32 TREAD AND HAVE NEVER BEEN RUN LOW. BELT COMPLETELY SEPERATED AND DESTRYED FENDER FLARE.
NHTSA complaint #10169040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, MS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ON 1994 CHEVY Z71 PICK UP.
NHTSA complaint #10164604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, MS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ON 1994 CHEVY Z71 PICK UP.
NHTSA complaint #10164604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesMesa, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT A FEW TIMES WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN . I'VE HAD TO GET OUT IN THE RAIN AND TAP ON THE MOTOR TO GET THE WIPERS GOING . SO I ENDED UP REPLACING THE COMPLETE UNIT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET . I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT A RECALL AT THE TIME SO I ENDED UP SPENDING MONEY TO REPLACE THE UNIT . THEN I FIND OUT THE DRIVER DOOR IS SAGGING AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT
NHTSA complaint #10154729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesMesa, AZ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT A FEW TIMES WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN . I'VE HAD TO GET OUT IN THE RAIN AND TAP ON THE MOTOR TO GET THE WIPERS GOING . SO I ENDED UP REPLACING THE COMPLETE UNIT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET . I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT A RECALL AT THE TIME SO I ENDED UP SPENDING MONEY TO REPLACE THE UNIT . THEN I FIND OUT THE DRIVER DOOR IS SAGGING AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT
NHTSA complaint #10154729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAlbany, OR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V159000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10153657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesMuncie, IN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TURN SIGNAL ARM WAS REPLACED. THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V159000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10150737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesHilton Head Island, SC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
MY 1994 CHEVROLET TRUCK IS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE OPERATION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (#03V159000). I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND CHEVROLET WHO STATE MY VIN# IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I BELEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MY TRUCK AND POSSIBLY OTHER MANUFACTURED WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10148763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesWoodriver JCT, RI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10147034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carmichael, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER HE WAS INFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10146899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wright City, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. IT WORKED WHEN FIRST PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING THIS ON APRIL 13, 2005, BUT IT DID MAKE A BUZZING SOUND WHEN IT WAS NOT WORKING. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT WAS LISTED ON THE RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD THE MODULE REPLACED AND NOW WORKS FINE.
NHTSA complaint #10136193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesWattsburg, PA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF WIPERS. I HAVE TO HIT THE WIPER MOTOR TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. A RECALL WAS ISSUED 03V15900 GM # 03023 BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. DEALER STATED VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, BUT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10131348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,359 milesOmaha, NE
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
GM 6.5 DIESEL JUST SHUTS ITSELF OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES GOOD WAY TO GET PEOPLE KILLED. GM REPLACED ONE PUMP AT 110,000 HAD THE PUMP REMOVED AND REBUILT AT 130,000 NOW IT STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN . COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE FUEL SYSTEM AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET CALLED GM THEY DIDNOT SEEM WORRIED ABOUT IT .
NHTSA complaint #10126941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cotopaxi, CO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR QUIT ALTOGETHER. THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WIPER CONTROL HAS TO BE REPLACED. MANY OF THESE PU TRUCKS AND SUV'S HAVE A RECALL, BUT NOT THE OLDER UNITS. LOSING YOUR WIPERS IN SNOW OR RAIN IS NOT GOOD. I THINK THEY SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE ALL THESE UNITS THEY HAVE BUILT. OUR TRUCK IS A 1993 BUT YOUR FORM WOULDN'T TAKE THAT YEAR. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WITH THE SAME TROUBLE.
NHTSA complaint #10124152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesRichmond, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERSIDE SEAT BELT RECIEVER HAS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10124151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesOlathe, KS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500 EXTENDED CAB TRUCK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND HAVE FOR SOME TIME. I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN A RAIN STORM AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY DECIDE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I JUST RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF A RECALL FOR 1994 CHEVY TRUCKS ( NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V159000 ). I CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. APPARENTLY THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE ENOUGH VEHICLES BECAUSE MINE IS ACTING IN A SIMILAR MANNER. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10118259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.