RoadVitals

1994 Chevrolet C20

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.
12
Latest Sep 1, 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.
10
Latest Feb 5, 1999
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.
3
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet C20, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and electrical categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Brakes433.3%
  • Visibility216.7%
  • Electrical18.3%
  • Airbags18.3%
  • Seat belts18.3%
  • Tires & wheels18.3%
  • Interior & seats18.3%
  • Driver assistance18.3%

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

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

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
99V025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 5, 1999
988,587 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CREW CABS, UTILITY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POLARITY OF THE WIRING FOR THE ZERO ADJUST BRAKE SWITCH REVERSED FROM WHAT WAS SPECIFIED ON THE SWITCH DRAWING. WITH THE REVERSED POLARITY, THE CONTACTS IN THE BRAKE SWITCH CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE SWITCH WILL PERFORM NORMALLY UNTIL THE BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS WEAR OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER.
The risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 98065View on NHTSA.gov
96E010000

SEATS

Mar 25, 1996
2,400 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLES COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOAM AND/OR FABRIC SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT FRAME, INSTALL WASHERS BETWEEN THE SEAT RECLINER AND THE SEAT FRAME AT EACH ATTACHMENT POINT, AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHING BOLTS TORQUED TO A HIGHER SPECIFICATION. THESE CORRECTIONS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.
VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMSView on NHTSA.gov
95V246000

SEATS

Dec 21, 1995
675,661 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLE COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOAM AND/OR FABRIC SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT FRAME, INSTALL WASHERS BETWEEN THE SEAT RECLINER AND THE SEAT FRAME AT EACH ATTACHMENT POINT, AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHING BOLTS TORQUED TO A HIGHER SPECIFICATION. THESE CORRECTIONS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE95050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE

Opened Sep 22, 1995
Closed Dec 22, 1995

FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT BOLTS LOOSEN, FATIGUE, AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING.

SEATSLed to recall 95V246000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 1, 2010
Crash reported4 injuries reported

1994 CHEVROLET C20, LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, STRIKING THE CONCRETE MEDIAN WALL. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE TIRES SHOWED SUFFICIENT TREAD, BUT SHOWED SIGNS OF DRY ROT AND CRACKING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0469-90) *JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

NHTSA ID
10354252
Incident
Jul 16, 2010
Brakes
Filed Feb 27, 2002

CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS INSUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE COVER (THIS IS A VAN WITH THE ENGINE COVER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SEAT). WHEN THE DRIVER REMOVES HIS FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL IT WILL OCCASIONALLY GET CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *YH

NHTSA ID
564456
Visibility
Filed Aug 14, 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD HAS AN IRREGULARITY, THIS CAUSES DRIVER'S VIEW TO BE OBSTRUCTED, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S RAINING. AREA IS NOT ABLE TO BE CLEANED WHEN WIPER IS IN USE. ROAD IS HARD TO DISCIPHER WHEN THE WEATHER IS CLEAR AND SUNNY.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
894356
Incident
Jun 5, 1995
Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2001

AT ANY SPEED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BRAKING DISTANCE IS NOT WHAT IT SHOULD BE. REAR BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LOCK UP. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE. *AK BRAKES ARE REAL BAD ON WET OR ICY ROADS. *YH

NHTSA ID
880100
Incident
Aug 1, 1994
Visibility
Filed Mar 29, 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HAVE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. POSSIBLE TO RESTART WIPERS BY TAPPING ON MOTOR HOUSING AND/OR MOVING WIRES THAT PLUG INTO WIPER MOTOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
705047
Incident
Nov 12, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jun 22, 1998

ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES, TWO ACCIDENTS FROM LOCK UP.

NHTSA ID
536991
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 1, 1996

DRIVERS SEAT BRACKET THAT SECURES THE FRAME BROKE. *AK THE BRACKET BROKE ON TH BACK SEAT, HAD A ROCKING MOTION WHICH FELT VERY UNSAFE PARTICULARY IF THERE WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED IT.*JB

NHTSA ID
982139
Incident
Apr 1, 1995
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 26, 1995

THE CAR IDLES AT 1100 TO 1500 RMP WHEN YOU RELEASE THE PEDAL. HAS TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO DEALERS SEVEN TIMES NOTHING HAPPENED. TT

NHTSA ID
976954

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

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 C20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001010—
2000010—
1999000—
1998010—
1997220—
1996050—
1995147158.6
1994Viewing1210160.4
1993163251.7
1992232—
1991613—
1990532—
1989122—
1988356—
1987304—
1986015—
1985216—
1984413—
1983112—
1982122—
1981122—
1980121—
1979041—
1978111—
1977021—
1976031—
1975021—
1974131—
1973001—
1972101—
1971131—
1970111—
1967010—

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.