RoadVitals

1994 Chevrolet C/K Pickups

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
52
Latest Sep 24, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 28, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 52 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility3460.7%
  • Brakes47.1%
  • Interior & seats35.4%
  • Seat belts35.4%
  • Tires & wheels35.4%
  • Fuel system23.6%
  • Electrical23.6%
  • Exterior lighting11.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
03V159000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Apr 28, 2003
1,755,876 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03023View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02006ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Opened May 31, 2002
Closed Jul 23, 2003

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.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORLed to recall 03V159000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 52
Visibility
Filed Sep 24, 2010

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 ID
10357319
Incident
Sep 23, 2010
Mileage
53,000 mi
Interior & seatsOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 16, 2009

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*JB

NHTSA ID
10261959
Incident
Mar 15, 2009
Mileage
134,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Mar 6, 2009
Fire reported

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. *JB

NHTSA ID
10261251
Incident
Apr 26, 2008
Visibility
Filed Nov 27, 2007

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210035
Incident
Nov 26, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 21, 2007

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 *BF

NHTSA ID
10209656
Incident
Nov 8, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 23, 2006

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. *NM

NHTSA ID
10169040
Incident
Sep 9, 2006
Mileage
145,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 23, 2006

DUNLOP TIRE FAILURE - BLOWOUT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10169039
Incident
Jun 18, 2006
Mileage
138,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2006

BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ON 1994 CHEVY Z71 PICK UP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10164604
Incident
Aug 5, 2006

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

00064H

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Special Coverage Adjustment ? Electronic Diesel-Fuel Injection Pump Failure ? Repair/Replace

00064H

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Special Coverage Adjustment ? Electronic Diesel-Fuel Injection Pump Failure ? Repair/Replace

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

02054

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED BOULDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS SPECIAL POLICY COVERS THE CONDITION FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS OR 70,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP OR FOR THESE VEHICLES CURRENTLY OUTSIDE OF THIS COVERAGE UNTIL FEBRUARY 29, 2004. *TT

02054

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C/K Pickups by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002140448.9
2001240548.8
2000341653.7
1999371253.3
1998781246.2
1997721244.1
1996221243.6
1995231249.7
1994Viewing521143.1
1993120029.4
1992700—
1991600—
1990100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.