RoadVitals

1994 Chevrolet C1500

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.
152
Latest Jul 20, 2012
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.
2
Latest Oct 24, 2007
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.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 152 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet C1500, most frequently naming the visibility, interior & seats and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 2 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

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

2 campaigns 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
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA97023ClosedEngineering Analysis

DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILURE

Opened Oct 31, 1997
Closed Jun 1, 1999

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)

SEATS

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 152
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 20, 2012

DRIVING EASTBOUND I-10 IN REDLANDS, CA ABOUT 0930, I BEGAN TO FEEL A SLIGHT PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND VIBRATION IN THE STEERING. I THOUGHT A BALANCING WEIGHT MIGHT HAVE FALLEN OFF. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH IN THE #3 LANE AND BEGAN TO MOVE IN TO THE #2 LANE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AT 6TH ST TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE FRONT LEFT TIRE TIRE WENT OVER THE PROTRUDING REFLECTIVE MARKERS BETWEEN THE #3 AND #2 LANE, I THOUGHT A FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN. THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL FOLLOWED BY LOUD BANGING. I REGAINED CONTROL AND PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS NOT FLAT, BUT THE TIRE TREAD HAD SHREDDED. ABOUT 2/3RDS OF THE TIRE TREAD WAS MISSING (STILL ON THE FREEWAY) AND THE OTHER 1/3RD WAS STILL ON THE TIRE. THE REMAINING TREAD ON THE TIRE APPEARS TO BE IN A PATTERN POSSIBLY FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE INNER METAL FENDER WELL WAS TORN HALF WAY OFF ALONG WITH BODY DAMAGE TO THE FENDERS LOWER FRONT AND REAR OF THE WHEEL WELL. PAINT DAMAGE EXTENDED TO THE EXTERIOR FENDER OVER THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER INSPECTING THE OTHER FRONT (LIKE) TIRE ALSO PURCHASED THE SAME DAY/PLACE APPEARS TO HAVE A CRACK FORMING IN THE RUBBER ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDE WALL. I WILL BE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE THESE BACK TO PEP BOYS TOMORROW MORNING. THESE TIRES I MAY HAVE PURCHASED IN 2008 OR 2009. (CAN'T FIND RECEIPT) BUT HAD ONLY ABOUT 20,000 MILES OR SO ON THEM. THEY STILL APPEAR TO HAVE ABOUT 80% OF GOOD TREAD LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10466843
Incident
Jul 20, 2012
Mileage
163,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 29, 2011

BEGAN TO PARK, DEPRESSING CLUTCH TO NO EFFECT WITH TRUCK STAYING IN GEAR. WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL. KEPT MOVING WITH BREAKS ON AND CLUTCH DEPRESSED. FOUND MASTER CYLINDER FOR CLUTCH BROKEN AND LEAKING FLUID. BOUGHT NEW MASTER CYLINDER ONLY TO FIND NOTICE IN BOX IF PART WAS BROKEN WHERE IT WAS CRACKED GM HAD TECHNICAL LETTER OUT AND CYLINDER WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED. TURNS OUT TO SAVE THE COST OF A GREAS ZERCK NO POINT OF LUBRICATION WAS PROVIDED FOR THE FORK ARM BALL WHICH LEADS TO FAILURE. COST TO HAVE 85 CENT GREASE ZERCK INSTALLED BY GM DEALER IS $500 DOLLARS. THE FORK IS ANOTHER $1000 AS QUOTED BY DEALER.

NHTSA ID
10393672
Incident
Mar 15, 2011
Mileage
300,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2009
Crash reported2 injuries reported

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE-BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND SHE COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AND ACCIDENT OCCURRED- INSPECTION OF VEHICLE AFTER FACT REVEALED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10259890
Incident
Feb 18, 2009
Mileage
167,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 18, 2007

1994, CHEVROLET C1500 EXTENDED CAB PU WITH ELECTRIC SEATS. FRONT LEFT SEAT MOUNT BROKE AS I CLIMBED INTO SEAT. I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING. STILL TRYING TO FIX IT SO PART IS STILL ON TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10206259
Incident
May 1, 2007
Mileage
48,500 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 14, 2007

THROTTLE CABLE STICKING WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS TO PASS IT STUCK TO THE FLOOR UNABLE TO BRAKE HAD TO DRIVE OFF ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENT I PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP THE RPMS CONTINUED TO STAY HIGH PASS 5000 RPMS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES I THEN TURN THE TRUCK OFF WAITED STARTED IT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND THE RPMS IMMEDIATELY RAISED AGAIN TO 500 RPMS I THEN TURN THE TRUCK OFF AGAIN AND WAITED LONGER. WHEN I DID START IT AGAIN IT ACTED LIKE NOTHING HAD EVER HAPPENED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10196360
Incident
Jul 14, 2007
Mileage
152,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 6, 2007

DURING WET CONDITIONS (RAIN/SNOW) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1994 CHEVROLET C-1500 STOP FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD AND THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME. THIS PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN 2005. *TR

NHTSA ID
10195513
Incident
Mar 17, 2005
Visibility
Filed Nov 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WIPER MOTOR HAD CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL #03V159000, WHICH PERTAINED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.

NHTSA ID
10172356
Incident
Oct 31, 2006
Mileage
42,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 21, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MANY CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME TYPE OF BLOWOUT. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - WHEN THE TIRE BLEWOUT IT DAMAGED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10166098
Incident
Aug 2, 2006

Manufacturer communications

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

130089009

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

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

020864016

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON FRONT DOOR HINGE PIN BUSHING WEAR, FRONT DOOR SAG, OR DOOR CHUCKING MOVEMENT IN EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS. *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 C1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
19962292049.0
19952092152.4
1994Viewing1522149.9
1993642050.0
1992412052.8
1991392047.1
1990223045.2
1989333054.3
1988322055.0

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.