Owners have filed 29 complaints
about the 1994 GMC K1500 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003.
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 GMC K1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% 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 K1500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
620.7%
Median failure at 110,000 miles
Brakes
517.2%
Seats
413.8%
Lights
310.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
26.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain
26.9%
Engine & Cooling
26.9%
Equipment & Accessories
13.4%
Doors, Latches & Locks
13.4%
Suspension
13.4%
Body & Structure
13.4%
Electrical System
13.4%
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 1995peak 6Apr 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 GMC 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.
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.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 110,000 milesClinton, UT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. GMC REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER THE PRODUCT DEFECT NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10013977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS PERFORM ERRATICLY, NOT RESPONDING OR QUITTING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN AWARE OF PROBLEM, AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8018962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NC
SEATS
RECLINER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8002973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
RECLINER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8002973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deer Park, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V025. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granite, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ISN'T OPERABLE. BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT SEEN WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES. SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, PLUS 1 RECALL. *AK
NHTSA complaint #860030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #848808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calumet CI, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (G98065-S). MJS
NHTSA complaint #548008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freemont, CA
SEATS
SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOVES BACK AND FORTH AN THE TRACK, AND IS VERY HARD TO LOCK IN PLACE. ONCE THE SEAT IS LOCKED IN PLACE, IT WIGGLES. THE PROLBEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #838402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS FAILED CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE TO GO INTO DITCH FROM LOSS OF CONTROL WITH DAMAGES TO VEHICLE. MJS.
NHTSA complaint #545292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clemson, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DEFECT 1: REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED, LEAKING AXLE GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ORINGINAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED IN 1995 UNDER WARRANTY BY ASTRO MOTORS, FAIRMONT, WV. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE NOTED DURING BRAKE CHECK ON 03/22/1999. DEALER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING WARRANTY REPAIR INFORMATION AND COULD/WOULD NOT LOCATE SINCE I COULDN'T PROVIDE A REPAIR ORDER NUMBER. LOCAL DEALER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM GMC. DEFECT 2: FRONT CALIPERS RUSTED IN CLOSED POSITION DUE TO CORROSSIVE ROAD CHEMICALS. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES AND SCORING OF ROTORS. NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS DRIVEN DAILY A 6 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK. IT IS DISTURBING THAT THE REAR SEALS NOTED AS DEFECT 1 HAVE FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER/COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORDS OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #705409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clemson, SC
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
DEFECT 1: REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED, LEAKING AXLE GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ORINGINAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED IN 1995 UNDER WARRANTY BY ASTRO MOTORS, FAIRMONT, WV. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE NOTED DURING BRAKE CHECK ON 03/22/1999. DEALER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING WARRANTY REPAIR INFORMATION AND COULD/WOULD NOT LOCATE SINCE I COULDN'T PROVIDE A REPAIR ORDER NUMBER. LOCAL DEALER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM GMC. DEFECT 2: FRONT CALIPERS RUSTED IN CLOSED POSITION DUE TO CORROSSIVE ROAD CHEMICALS. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES AND SCORING OF ROTORS. NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS DRIVEN DAILY A 6 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK. IT IS DISTURBING THAT THE REAR SEALS NOTED AS DEFECT 1 HAVE FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER/COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORDS OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #705409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clemson, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
DEFECT 1: REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED, LEAKING AXLE GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ORINGINAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED IN 1995 UNDER WARRANTY BY ASTRO MOTORS, FAIRMONT, WV. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE NOTED DURING BRAKE CHECK ON 03/22/1999. DEALER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING WARRANTY REPAIR INFORMATION AND COULD/WOULD NOT LOCATE SINCE I COULDN'T PROVIDE A REPAIR ORDER NUMBER. LOCAL DEALER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM GMC. DEFECT 2: FRONT CALIPERS RUSTED IN CLOSED POSITION DUE TO CORROSSIVE ROAD CHEMICALS. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES AND SCORING OF ROTORS. NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS DRIVEN DAILY A 6 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK. IT IS DISTURBING THAT THE REAR SEALS NOTED AS DEFECT 1 HAVE FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER/COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORDS OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #705409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE SENDING UNIT ON THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FUEL LINE LEADING FROM THE TANK TO THE ENGINE AND ON THE RETURN LINE. SHOULDN'T THESE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINES BE MORE RESISTANT TO CORROSION THAN THE TANK? A HOLE EATEN IN THE TANK WILL LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. A HOLE IN THESE LINES WILL SPRAY FUEL ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #700569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #538640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint ANN, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #527083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merced, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #514054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merced, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #514054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merced, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS SMELL RELEASED INSIDE THE CAB.
NHTSA complaint #514054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merced, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
LOSS OF POWER.
NHTSA complaint #514054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merced, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WAS BROKEN AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #514054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merced, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITION FAILED, CAUSING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #514054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Polk City, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
GLASS IS SEPARATING FROM LAMINATE, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO BUBBLE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #800400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, MA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. TT
NHTSA complaint #977994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pico-River, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAN'T CLOSE IT IN LOCKED POSITION . TT
NHTSA complaint #969941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.