Owners have filed 60 complaints
about the 1994 Chevrolet Pickup with NHTSA between 1996 and 2023.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 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 — 56
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Pickup. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 60
11.7% 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 Pickup
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
228.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
228.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
228.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
114.3%
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.
Dec 1996peak 4Apr 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Chevrolet Pickup
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.
PE96039Opened 17 May 1996Closed 30 Sep 1996STRUCTURE
CRACKING/FRACTURE OF CHASSIS FRAME RAILS
CRACKS IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRAME RAILS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED AFT OF THE PASSENGER CAB AND FORWARD OR THE REAR WHEELS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
EA94038Opened 31 Oct 1994Closed 28 Feb 2000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
PE94046Opened 17 Jun 1994Closed 31 Oct 1994SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
Recalls on the 1994 Chevrolet Pickup
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
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Jonesboro, ARCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact called on behalf of a 1994 Chevrolet GMT-400. The contact stated while driving uphill at night, she suddenly noticed that there was a vehicle at a complete stop in front of her. The contact stated that she swerved to avoid the vehicle; however, the driver's side front end of the vehicle hit the rear passenger's side bumper of the other occupied vehicle. The contact stated that the tail lights and the brake lights of the other vehicle were not engaged as they had failed. The contact stated there were no injuries sustained; however, the occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital with the assistance of emergency units. A police report was filed. The contact's vehicle was totaled. The other vehicle was driven to the residence. There was no further information provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11519321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZCrash1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ATTORNEY WRITING ON THE BEHALF OF 4 ACCIDENTS IN WHICH HE STATES WERE CAUSED BY TREAD SEPARATION ON GOODYEAR 16 INCH LOAD RANGE E STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES, THIS PARTICULAR POLICE REPORT STATES THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT, OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS MADERA COMPONENTS SYSTEM, 6323 W VAN BREN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RIO Rancho, NMCrash
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
GM HAD A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE WIPERS ON THEIR SUBURBANS, BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE PICK UP TRUCKS. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE GM CORPORATION WITHOUT ANY RETURN OTHER THAN " THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE PICKUPS". DON'T FIGURE...IS THE SAME KIND OF VEHICLE WITH SAME COMPONENT FAILURE. I WAS FORTUNATE IN MY SMALL ACCIDENT. I RECEIVED MINIMAL DAMAGE DUE TO HITTING A CURB AND BLOWING OUT A TIRE. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE TIRE, RUINING IT, PLUS KNOCKING THE ALIGNMENT OUT. I LIVE IN NEW MEXICO WHERE RAIN IS A RARITY AND WHIPER/WASHER USE IS AT A MINIMUM. I WAS IN FLORIDA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND WAS CAUGHT IN A SUDDEN RAIN DOWN POUR WHICH DID NOT ALLOW ME ENOUGH TIME TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BANG ON THE WHIPER UNIT TO GET IT TO OPERATE. THE UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. $ 62. TO WHICH I THINK THAT GM SHOULD PAY FOR. THEY HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THIS BEING A PROBLEM AND DID NOT FOLLOW UP ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN THEIR SUBURBANS. GLAD I AM NOT AN ACCIDENT STATISTIC DUE TO THEIR LACK OF CONCERN. PLEASE, CAN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FOR OTHER PEOPLES' SAKE.THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #759461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pocatello, IDCrash1 injured
SEATS
I WAS REAR-ENDED (35 MPH) WHILE STOPPED. UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER SEAT FRAME CRACKED IN TWO.
NHTSA complaint #748907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holt, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR SHORTED OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO EXPLODE INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #823475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Jonesboro, ARCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact called on behalf of a 1994 Chevrolet GMT-400. The contact stated while driving uphill at night, she suddenly noticed that there was a vehicle at a complete stop in front of her. The contact stated that she swerved to avoid the vehicle; however, the driver's side front end of the vehicle hit the rear passenger's side bumper of the other occupied vehicle. The contact stated that the tail lights and the brake lights of the other vehicle were not engaged as they had failed. The contact stated there were no injuries sustained; however, the occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital with the assistance of emergency units. A police report was filed. The contact's vehicle was totaled. The other vehicle was driven to the residence. There was no further information provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11519321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesShafter, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY FAILED TO WORK. INTERMITTENTLY, AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE WIPERS MAY FUNCTION PROPERLY; HOWEVER, IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT USED OFTEN. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER BOTH STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.UPDATE 09/10/08
NHTSA complaint #10236677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodson, AR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I HAVE A 1994 CHEVROLET PICKUP, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN. I HEARD THROUGH A FRIEND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY TYPE OF TRUCK. THIS PROMPTED ME TO COME TO THIS SITE AND LOOK IT UP. I FOUND A RECALL WITH CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000. I THEN CALLED A LOCAL DEALER AND AFTER GIVING MY VIN #, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS ON THIS VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED THE 800 NUMBER FOR CHEVROLET THAT WAS ON THE REPORT AND WAS ALSO TOLD BY THEM THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS ON MY VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS AN ANALYSIS DONE THAT PROBABLY PRODUCED A LIST ON VINS THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AT THE CURRENT TIME I DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE. I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS PROBLEM RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE CIRCUIT BOARD, AND MY VEHICLE WAS SHOWING THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE COMPANY SHOULD AT LEAST EVALUATE THE PROBLEM TO SEE IF THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST. *AK (11/23/05) *SC I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE THAT I CALLED, HOWEVER IT WAS BETWEEN THE 2ND AND 20TH OF NOVEMBER 2004. I DID HOWEVER WRITE DOWN THE SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER GIVEN TO ME BY THE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE WITH. SERVICE REQUEST # 1-276472594
NHTSA complaint #10101793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, OR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10097906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portage, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10095152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesAnchorage, AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10081370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pelham, NH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
NHTSA complaint #10080341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesColfax, NC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER,THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10049954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesRosemount, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THIS ERRATIC PERFORMANCE DISTRACTS THE DRIVER AND IMPAIRS HIS VISION. DEALER STATES " A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PART; HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10044247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesBarboursville, WV
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILS TO WORK DURING RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10040536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lindale, TX
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10040376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bradford, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED; HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONSUMER FELT GM WAS TRYING TO AVOID EXPANDING THE RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WANTED ANSWERS AS TO WHY HIS VEHICLE WASN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL. *PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake City, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
PROBLEMS WITH 1994 CHEVROLET PICKUP TRUCK BRAKE LIGHTS.*MR THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK SINCE THE RECALL WAS DONE. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10034595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmore, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 03V15900 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE WIPERS REMAINED INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO RAISE THE HOOD AND PHYSICALLY HIT THE WIPER MOTOR IN ORDER TO GET IT TO WORK. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10037762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesNewton, IA
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER STATES THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP INTERMITTENTLY. THEY STOP SOMETIMES ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, THEN THEY START UP AGAIN. THIS IMPAIRS DRIVER'S VISION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS RAINING HARD. CONSUMER CALLED MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM ,AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL.*AK 1994 CHEVROLET PICKUP TRUCK EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENLY WHILE IN USE. THEY STOP FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES THEN START BACK UP AGAIN. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THIS PROBLEM IMPAIRS HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING IN VERY BAD INCLEMENT WEATHER. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AS FAR AS HIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10034057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,368 milesPortage, IN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER TURNING ON WIPERS THERE ARE TIMES WHEN AT LEAST TEN MINUTES PASS BEFORE THEY START TO WORK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10030018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sauk Rapids, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THE CONSUMER HAS TO HIT ON THE MOTOR IN ORDER FOR THE WIPERS TO OPERATE. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW WIND SHIELD WIPERS FOR THE COST OF $88.13 BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED BY RECALL.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10026212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake City, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL BUT RECURRED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM *TS
NHTSA complaint #10020113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oregon, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER SAW A RECALL THAT STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED UNDER RECALL #03V159000, WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE MAILED OUT SOMETIME THIS MONTH ACCORDING TO ODI. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE HIS WIPERS STOP WHEN IT IS RAINING HARD. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raymore, MO
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSISTOR BOARD THAT COMPLETES THE CONNECTIONS TO THE WIPER MOTOR, FAILED ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE WIPERS WOULD WORK FINE ON A DRY/SUNNY DAY, BUT IF IT WERE HUMID/FOGGY, THE WIPERS WOULD FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND STATED IT WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THE CONSUMER HAD THEM REPLACED. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10001980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Dorado Hills, CA
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
THE GLASS MIRROW SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNTING FLYING ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THESE MIRROWS ARE HELD ONTO THE METAL BY TWO SPOTS OF GLUE. IF THERE HAD BEEN A PEDESTRIAN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE GLASS.
NHTSA complaint #767042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Darby, MT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES, THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE BEING DRIVEN, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NLM .
NHTSA complaint #566827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smithville, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
REGARDING WIPER MOTOR AS REPORTED RECENTLY IN THE MEDIA. MY WIPER MOTOR IS FAILING AND I HAVE TO SOMETIMES START IT WITH MY HANDS TO GET IT GOING.
NHTSA complaint #764565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbiaville, MI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DOOR LATCHES DONT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER SERVICED THEM WHEN PURCHASED. THE LATCHES FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO WARNING. THE DOOR HAS OPENED WHILE TURNING IF NOT LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #763506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZCrash1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ATTORNEY WRITING ON THE BEHALF OF 4 ACCIDENTS IN WHICH HE STATES WERE CAUSED BY TREAD SEPARATION ON GOODYEAR 16 INCH LOAD RANGE E STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES, THIS PARTICULAR POLICE REPORT STATES THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT, OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS MADERA COMPONENTS SYSTEM, 6323 W VAN BREN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.