Owners have filed 28 complaints
about the 1994 GMC C1500 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 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 — 50
Against the median year of the GMC C1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 18
3.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 GMC C1500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seats
725.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
725.0%
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
517.9%
Seat Belts
310.7%
Brakes
27.1%
Engine & Cooling
27.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
13.6%
Electrical System
13.6%
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.
Jan 1995peak 3Apr 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 GMC C1500
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.
PE97027Opened 17 Jun 1997Closed 31 Oct 1997SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT FAILURE
THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING FAILS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO MOVE OR TIP REARWARD INTO A RECLINED POSITION.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
NEW Paltz, NY1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT BOLT BROKE DURING COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY PRIOR TO RECALL. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #505360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 55,000 milesMarietta, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING DURING RAINY WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, RECALL 03V159000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10071657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saginaw, TX
SEATS
SEAT KEEPS BREAKING CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS SEAT REPAIRED 4 TIMES, THE SAME ONE.
NHTSA complaint #881878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milledgville, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
PISTON ON RIGHT FRONT CALIPER IS HANGING INSIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #876553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
SEATS
I HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 7 COMPLAINTS AND FAILURRES WITH DRIVERS SEAT. BOLTS, CABLES,LOOSE BOLTS AND PORTIONS OF SEAT REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FROM GM THAT WAS INSTALLED IN MY TRUCK ON 6-17-96. "RECALL 94C62"- "GM12386793 16682 BOLT" "SV V9870 CAMP 94-C-62" - "AS PER GM INSTRUCTIONS INSTALL UPDATED SEAT RELCINER BOLTS TO COMPLETE POLICY 94C62." THIS SEEMED TO FINALLY SOLVE MY DRIVERS SEAT PROBLEMS UNTIL MARCH 2000, WHEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE SEAT RELINER BROKE AND I FOUND MY SELF IN A COMPLETE RECLINED POSITION TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WASNT AN ACCIDENT AND OTHER THAN TEMPORARILY AGRIVATING AN EXISTING BACK INJURY THERE WAS NO ONE HURT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED SINCE MARCH TO GET A RESOLUTION FROM GENERAL MOTORS,PRODUCT ALLEGATION MANAGER TIMIKI JACOBS, ESIS TRACY SAVERINO, GM CLAIM ADMINISTRATOR GENNIE CHANDLER AND HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH A LOCAL PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR THEY HIRED TO INTERVIEW ME, TAKE PHOTOS AND I GAVE HIM 0NE PIECE OF THE FAILED BOLT. UN BEKNOWNST TO THEM I HAVE ALSO KEPT A SMALLER PIECE OF THE BROKEN BOLT. TO DATE I CONTINUE TO GET THE RUN AROUND AND TREATED AS IF I AM FRAUDULENTLY CLAIMING SOMETHING. THEY SHOULD HAVE COMPUTER COPIES OF ALL OF MY PERSONAL HARD COPY SERVICE REPAIRS BUT THEY CONTINUE TO ASK ME TO PRODUE MORE AND REDUNDANT INFORMATION. ON YOUR FORM, THE DATE OF OCCURANCE, MILAGE AND COST ARE GUESSES. IT WAS IN MARCH BUT I CANNT FIND WHERE I WROTE IT DOWN. I NEVER DID WRITE DOWN THE MILEAGE. THE COST LISTED WOULD BE TO HAVE A NEW DRIVER SEAT INSTALLED, WHICH IS ALL THAT I HAVE BEEN ASKING THEM TO DO. THE SERVICE CENTER HERE SAYS THAT THEY CANNT TOUCH IT UNTIL GM /ESIS RESOLVES IT. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IN LIGHT OF FIRESTONE AND FORD MOTOR, I AM WONDERING IF THIS DRIVER SEAT ISSUE MAY BE SIMILAR. IS IT POSSIBLE AND IF SO HOW COULD I FIND OUT HOW MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THERE HAVE BEEN ON THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT? AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP. SINCERELY BRYAN BELLVILLE
NHTSA complaint #732391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #'S 98V150000 AND 98V150001. HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT GMC INDICATES THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. I HAVE RETAINED PART FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #723335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blach Spring, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE TRAVELING DURNING RAINY WEATHER WINDSHELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #864011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS LEAKING ALONG WITH WITH THE SEAL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I LEAVED IN AN APARTMENT FOR 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I BOUGHT MY HOUSE THAT I REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WHICH PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THEIR WAS ANYTHING THAT THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AT THIS POINT OR AM I SOL?
NHTSA complaint #719067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS LEAKING ALONG WITH WITH THE SEAL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I LEAVED IN AN APARTMENT FOR 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I BOUGHT MY HOUSE THAT I REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WHICH PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THEIR WAS ANYTHING THAT THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AT THIS POINT OR AM I SOL?
NHTSA complaint #719067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS LEAKING ALONG WITH WITH THE SEAL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I LEAVED IN AN APARTMENT FOR 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I BOUGHT MY HOUSE THAT I REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WHICH PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THEIR WAS ANYTHING THAT THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AT THIS POINT OR AM I SOL?
NHTSA complaint #719067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Friendsville, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. NEEDS TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #841227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
WHEN YOU STOP YOU ALWAYS HEAR A CLUNK. IT WILL MOVE YOU IN YOUR SEAT AS IF THE SEATS ARE LOOSE.THEY ARE NOT WE HAVE CKECKED.
NHTSA complaint #700251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granada Hills, CA
SEATS
THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILURE, AND THE OWNER OF THIS TRUCK EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS LISTED ON THE INVESTIGATION. THE SEAT MOUNTING BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FOURTH, PE 97 027.
NHTSA complaint #825338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boerne, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN TURNING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN IT'S RAINING THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN THEY WILL STOP, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS HAPPENS AT ALL WIPER SPEEDS, SOMETIMES CONSUMER CAN RESTART WIPERS BY MOVING THE ARMS, DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE EVERYTHING SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boerne, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHEN TURNING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN IT'S RAINING THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN THEY WILL STOP, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS HAPPENS AT ALL WIPER SPEEDS, SOMETIMES CONSUMER CAN RESTART WIPERS BY MOVING THE ARMS, DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE EVERYTHING SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dahlonega, GA
SEATS
WHILE GETTING INTO DRIVER'S SEAT, THE SEAT FRAME BOLT BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRACKS IN VEHICLE & SEAT GAVE WAY. WILL BE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #817207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kings Ville, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE DIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. OWNER IS CONCERND THAT DRIVER MAY BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #805983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEATBACK BOLTS BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE, HAVING LOT OF PLAY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #805911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Paltz, NY1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT BOLT BROKE DURING COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY PRIOR TO RECALL. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #505360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver SPR, MD
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN YOU ARE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE PULLS BACK OR JERKS BACK. THIS HAPPENS ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES IN (3) YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #802217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hull, MA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SEAT BACK HAS BROKEN TWICE; TILTING BACKWARDS. TT
NHTSA complaint #977817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port ST Luci, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT
NHTSA complaint #977663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES. TT CONSUMER STATES HE FEELS VEHCILE WAS IN A FLOOD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #974922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockwood, ME
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRUCK SKIPS AND JERKS AND HAS ABS BRAKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #968232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Champaign, 00
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR GLASS WAS NOT TEMPERED PROPERLY. IT SHATTERED INTO LARGE CHUNKS. TT
NHTSA complaint #966572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilburton, OK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVE SEAT BACK REST LOWER RECLINER RELEASE BROKE, RESULTING IN SEAT COLLAPSING WHILE DRIVING, REPLACED BOLT TWICE. TT
NHTSA complaint #960696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.