Owners have filed 136 complaints
about the 1994 Chevrolet K1500 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2017.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 68
Against the median year of the Chevrolet K1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 30
5.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% 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 K1500
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
14.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
314.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
314.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
733.3%
150,000+ miles
733.3%
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.
Jul 1996peak 11Feb 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Chevrolet K1500
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.
EA97023Opened 31 Oct 1997Closed 1 Jun 1999SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 375 REPORTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME WHICH IS PRONE TO BREAKAGE AT THE LEFT FRONT ATTACHING POINT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT MAY TILT AWAY FROM THE RISER DURING ACCELERATING OR BRAKING.(SEE CLOSING REPORT)
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 168,000 milesLouisville, KYCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!
NHTSA complaint #10955703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesLouisville, KYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!
NHTSA complaint #10955703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesLouisville, KYCrash
VISIBILITY/WIPER
REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!
NHTSA complaint #10955703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pocatello, IDCrash
SEATS
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SEAT DISCONNECTED FROM BOLT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO FLOOR, SEAT DID NOT HOLD, AND CONSUMER HIT STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES. *AK THE SEAT FRAME WAS WELDED AFTER IT BROKE DURING LOW IMPACT COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #880012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterville, MNCrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE STEPPING ON BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR, TRUCK DID NOT STOP, AND HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highlan Lakes, NJCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
IN AUGUST, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH BLOWING THE FUSES FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT CIRCUIT. IT WAS TRACED TO A CHAFFED WIRING HARNESS. THIS CAUSE THE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND IF YOU ARE TOWING A TRAILER WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES, THE LOSS OF BRAKES. IN AUGUST, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERLY RUSTED AND TOOK THEM TO MY DELAER FOR REPLACEMENT. IT TURNES OUT THAT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE ALL OF THEM. LAST NIGHT, ONE RUPTURED, CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES AND BACK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. 15 MINUTES EARLIER, I WAS TOWING A HORSE TRAILER! THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN!
NHTSA complaint #714783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 168,000 milesLouisville, KYCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!
NHTSA complaint #10955703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesLouisville, KYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!
NHTSA complaint #10955703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesLouisville, KYCrash
VISIBILITY/WIPER
REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!
NHTSA complaint #10955703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 243,150 milesWapwallopen, PW
TIRES
COOPER DISCOVERER M+S TREADWEAR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10368415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 208,000 milesRhinelander, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SPARE TIRE FELL OFF BOTTOM OF TRUCK ONTO THE ROADWAY BECAUSE OF RUSTED BRACKET COMPONENTS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND AT THE TIME. HAVE NOT DECIDED ABOUT REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10340276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 208,000 milesRhinelander, WI
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SPARE TIRE FELL OFF BOTTOM OF TRUCK ONTO THE ROADWAY BECAUSE OF RUSTED BRACKET COMPONENTS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND AT THE TIME. HAVE NOT DECIDED ABOUT REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10340276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesGranada Hills, CA
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THEN WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY COME ON AND GO OFF HALF WAY IN PROCESSION AND GET STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10325469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,800 milesBroomfield, CO
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,800.
NHTSA complaint #10274992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemlock, MI
EQUIPMENT
1994 CHEVROLET K1500. LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF THE CABLE HOLDER DESIGN THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER PICKUP TRUCKS, FEELS THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. *NJ THE TIRE CABLE HAD RUSTED AND BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP ON THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10266908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesLeverett, MA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND THE INSPECTOR SMELLED GASOLINE. THE INSPECTOR NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND THE FUEL AND TRANSMISSION LINES FAILED DUE TO THE RUSTED FRAME. AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2008, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 12/22/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/22/08. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE FILED A COMPLAINT OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAS NOT HEARD ANYTHING. HE WAS TOLD HE WOULD RECEIVE PAPERWORK. UPDATED 03/12/10 UPDATED 03/22/10 UPDATED 07/15/10.*JB UPDATED 07/21/10.*JB UPDATED 06/08/11.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME ON THE TRUCK WAS RUSTED AND BOTH THE MAIN STEEL JOINTS UNDER THE TRUCK ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WERE BAD. THE JOINTS WERE MADE OF SQUARED TUBULAR STEEL AS OPPOSED TO SOLID STEEL. UPDATED 04/29/14*JB UPDATED 07/02/14. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MULTI PART CONSTRUCTION OF THE TWO MAIN CARRYING BEAMS OF THE FRAME AT THE REAR AXLE WAS FLAWED AND DESIGNED TO FAIL. UPDATED 11/05/14.
NHTSA complaint #10250335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesFrench, OR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
I HAVE A 1994 CHEVY 1500 TRUCK THAT I HAVE FOUND TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ARE INVOLVED IN A CHEVY RECALL BUT MY TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED. IT HAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE ONES INVOLVED IN YOUR RECALL. HOW EVER I AM REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THIS FIX. I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU VEHICLES HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT CLOSELY ENOUGH FOR ALL WITH THIS PROBLEM TO HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. OUR WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD IS NOT WORKING JUST AS ALL THE ONES THAT ARE COVERED. WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH SERVICE AT CHEVROLET.
NHTSA complaint #10171343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesRippon, WV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE WAS NOTICED WHEN FLUID WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10166113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint JOE, AR
SUSPENSION
1994 CHEVY PICKUP RIVETS SHEERED OFF. *TS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT RIVETS SHEERED OFF. THESE WERE FACTORY RIVETS.
NHTSA complaint #10150831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesHighland, UT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 03V159000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THERE HAD BEEN NO CORRECTIONS PRIOR TO THIS, BUT THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10141397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Semmes, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 1994 CHEVROLET K1500 AND FOUND A RECALL 03V159000. CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY STATED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE;. THEY REQUIRED THE CONSUMER TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THIS HAPPENED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10130572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesTroy, PA
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
DT: 1994 CHEVROLET K1500 PICKUP. CONSUMER WAS UNDER TRUCK AND NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY WAS GONE DUE TO RUSTING OF THE WINCH CABLE. THE TIRE FELL OUT AND DISAPPEARED. CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHERE SPARE MAY HAVE BEEN LOST AT. CONSUMER SAYS THAT HE HAS REMOVED SPARE A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE AND EVEN LUBRICATED CABLE. CONSUMER HAS GREAT CONCERN FOR THE DANGER OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN SPARE IS LOST AT SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10125428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn Park, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE. WIPERS FAIL TO WORK SOMETIMES. WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY DON'T WORK PROPERLY. TOOK VEHICAL TO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND MODEL YEAR VEHICAL THAT I FOUND ON THIS WEB SITE.
NHTSA complaint #10122173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,880 milesBillings, MT
TIRES
FAILURE WITH LEHMANS A/T TIRES EXPLODING AND TREAD SEPARATION.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE EXPLODED AND THE TREAD SEPARATED. THE TIRE DEALER REFUSED TO ACCEPT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBLY FOR THE TIRE STATING THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN IMPACT RELATED FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10089578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesNEW Egypt, NJ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
03 V 159 000/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR: VEHICLE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10087964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesOsborn, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE IN USE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO JIGGLE THE PLUG THAT WENT INTO THE WIPERS TO RESTART THE WIPERS. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THERE WAS A RECALL 03V15900 FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THE TRUCK VIN # IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *NM THE PROBLEM EXISTED SINCE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS HAD POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH OCCURRED IN 1998. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10064870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesCanaan, IN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER, SAID SORRY THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10057211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesSpringfield, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD BEEN RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10049938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Natrona Heights, PA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR QUIT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT IN ORDER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN FURTHER DETAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10048604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesEast Helena, MT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTANTLY. NEVER KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO COME ON. HAVE MADE DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES. HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE BEFROE PROCEEDING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR OVER 10 MONTHS. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. WHEN I DISCUSSED IT WITH MY DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SAME BOARD IS BEING REPLACED IN OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLES, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE THEM OUT IN MY VEHICLE. IF IT IS TO BE FIXED, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT WHEN OTHER DO NOT FOR THE SAME PART.
NHTSA complaint #10040859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,140 milesFairbanks, AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
1994 CHEVROLET K1500 PICKUP. WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING 10 MINUTES AFTER EXPOSURE TO WET TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE WIPER MOTOR THEN HUMS BUT WIPERS DO NOT WORK WHILE THE ENVIRONMENT REMAINS WET. AFTER THE VEHICLE IS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR A FEW HOURS, THE WIPERS THEN WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10030383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.