RoadVitals

1994 Chevrolet K1500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
100
Latest Feb 20, 2017
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Chevrolet K1500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Visibility4032.8%
  • Brakes2117.2%
  • Tires & wheels64.9%
  • Body & structure54.1%
  • Engine54.1%
  • Electrical43.3%
  • Exterior lighting43.3%
  • Powertrain (other)43.3%
  • Fuel system32.5%
  • Suspension32.5%
  • Seat belts21.6%
  • Transmission21.6%
  • Other / unspecified10.8%
  • Driver assistance10.8%
  • Heating & air conditioning10.8%
  • Steering10.8%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

40
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!

NHTSA ID 10955703 · filed Feb 20, 2017

WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THEN WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY COME ON AND GO OFF HALF WAY IN PROCESSION AND GET STUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10325469 · filed Apr 13, 2010
All 40 reports naming visibility

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!

NHTSA ID 10955703 · filed Feb 20, 2017

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE WAS NOTICED WHEN FLUID WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ID 10166113 · filed Aug 21, 2006
All 21 reports naming brakes

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR ABS FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID 785778 · filed Nov 9, 2001

SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE 4 TIMES. LAST TIME DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTTOM OF SEAT.*AK

NHTSA ID 884568 · filed Mar 29, 2001
All 19 reports naming interior & seats

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

COOPER DISCOVERER M+S TREADWEAR FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10368415 · filed Nov 30, 2010

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF BOTTOM OF TRUCK ONTO THE ROADWAY BECAUSE OF RUSTED BRACKET COMPONENTS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND AT THE TIME. HAVE NOT DECIDED ABOUT REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10340276 · filed Jun 27, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU AND FAILED CAUSING LOW SPEED ACCIDENT. NO INJURIES THANK GOD. BUT IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A 5000LB TRUCK AT ANY SPEED, I WILL ATTEST TO THAT!

NHTSA ID 10955703 · filed Feb 20, 2017

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF BOTTOM OF TRUCK ONTO THE ROADWAY BECAUSE OF RUSTED BRACKET COMPONENTS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND AT THE TIME. HAVE NOT DECIDED ABOUT REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10340276 · filed Jun 27, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKES MADE BANGING AND SCRAPING NOISES, BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, SHATTERED LEFT REAR SHOE SHATTERED CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STICK AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, LEFT FRONT BACKING PLATE ON FRONT BRAKE WAS BENT AND WAS RUBBING ROTOR, ROTORS WARPED AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 561552 · filed Jun 11, 2001

FRONT AXLE SEALS/WATER PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ID 541494 · filed Sep 16, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKES MADE BANGING AND SCRAPING NOISES, BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, SHATTERED LEFT REAR SHOE SHATTERED CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STICK AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, LEFT FRONT BACKING PLATE ON FRONT BRAKE WAS BENT AND WAS RUBBING ROTOR, ROTORS WARPED AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 561552 · filed Jun 11, 2001

IN AUGUST, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH BLOWING THE FUSES FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT CIRCUIT. IT WAS TRACED TO A CHAFFED WIRING HARNESS. THIS CAUSE THE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND IF YOU ARE TOWING A TRAILER WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES, THE LOSS OF BRAKES. IN AUGUST, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERLY RUSTED AND TOOK THEM TO MY DELAER FOR REPLACEMENT. IT TURNES OUT THAT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE ALL OF THEM. LAST NIGHT, ONE RUPTURED, CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES AND BACK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. 15 MINUTES EARLIER, I WAS TOWING A HORSE TRAILER! THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN! *AK

NHTSA ID 714783 · filed Nov 15, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE OWNER TRIED TO SWITCH FROM LOW BEAMS TO HIGH BEAMS AND LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT. DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID 837363 · filed Jun 7, 1999

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD WARNING SWITCH (MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH).

NHTSA ID 532988 · filed Mar 24, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS HAS OCCURRED AT 21738, 36868, 54921AND NOW AGAIN AT 72213 MILES. GM HAS A DESIGN DEFECT THEY NEED TO CORRECT(RECALL). NO SAFETY DEFECT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID 720096 · filed Mar 14, 2000

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT SHAFT SEALS LEAK. REPLACED AT 21738 MILES ON 02/26/96, AT 36868 MILES ON 05/19/97 AND AGAIN AT 54921 MILES ON 10/28/98. *AK

NHTSA ID 702841 · filed Feb 1, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR ABS FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID 785778 · filed Nov 9, 2001

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTOR PUMPS, APPROXIMATELY 5 HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 536453 · filed May 23, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1994 CHEVY PICKUP RIVETS SHEERED OFF. *TS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT RIVETS SHEERED OFF. THESE WERE FACTORY RIVETS. *NM

NHTSA ID 10150831 · filed Feb 7, 2006

BRAKES MADE BANGING AND SCRAPING NOISES, BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, SHATTERED LEFT REAR SHOE SHATTERED CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STICK AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, LEFT FRONT BACKING PLATE ON FRONT BRAKE WAS BENT AND WAS RUBBING ROTOR, ROTORS WARPED AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 561552 · filed Jun 11, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK PART TIME ONLY. I NOTICED OTHERS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPERS ALSO. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL? SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE WIPER MOTOR. PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT PULL OUT FAR ENOUGH TO LATCH. WHITE EXTERIOR PAINT HAS PEALED AWAY FROM THE PRIMER COAT. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DEFECT IN THE WHITE PAINT.*AK

NHTSA ID 724627 · filed Jun 27, 2000

DRIVER'S SIDE RESTRAINT IS UNRAVELING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID 844670 · filed Aug 9, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKES MADE BANGING AND SCRAPING NOISES, BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, SHATTERED LEFT REAR SHOE SHATTERED CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STICK AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, LEFT FRONT BACKING PLATE ON FRONT BRAKE WAS BENT AND WAS RUBBING ROTOR, ROTORS WARPED AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 561552 · filed Jun 11, 2001

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT WILL TAKE 4 LONG SECONDS IN ORDER TO ENGAGE, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS PART OF THE VEHICLE'S CHARATERISTIC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID 834424 · filed Feb 3, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1994 CHEVROLET K1500. LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF THE CABLE HOLDER DESIGN THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER PICKUP TRUCKS, FEELS THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. *NJ THE TIRE CABLE HAD RUSTED AND BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP ON THE GROUND. *JB

NHTSA ID 10266908 · filed Apr 23, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, HOWEVER DENIED REPAIR DUE TO VIN, EVEN THOUGH UNIT IS FAILED. MJS (98V-150)

NHTSA ID 546433 · filed Jun 28, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKES MADE BANGING AND SCRAPING NOISES, BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, SHATTERED LEFT REAR SHOE SHATTERED CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STICK AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, LEFT FRONT BACKING PLATE ON FRONT BRAKE WAS BENT AND WAS RUBBING ROTOR, ROTORS WARPED AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 561552 · filed Jun 11, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FOUR WHEEL FLASHER FAILED DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE .

NHTSA ID 524309 · filed Nov 5, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .