RoadVitals

1994 Chevrolet K3500

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.
6
Latest Apr 26, 2000
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 May 19, 2006
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet K3500, most frequently naming the fuel system, visibility and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Fuel system225.0%
  • Visibility225.0%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Exterior lighting112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%

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
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

Visibility
Filed Apr 26, 2000

WHILE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON THEY STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
860976
Filed Oct 8, 1999

SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL START IMMEDIATLE AFTER DYING, OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS IN NHTSA WEB SIGHT WITH SAME VEHICLE TYPE

NHTSA ID
713001
Incident
Oct 2, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Dec 1, 1997

FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE. DRIVING AT 65 MPH OR HIGH AND LOW SPEED, ENGINE WILL STOP OR LOSE BRAKES/ POWER STEERING. DEALER REPLACED 3 PUMPS. THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
819576
Incident
Dec 1, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Dec 1, 1997

FUEL LIFT/FUEL INJECTOR PUMP SPONTANEOUSLY BECAME INOPERATIVE. FOUR INHERENT INSTANCES, THUS FAR HAVE DEVELOPED. NO REMEDY HAS BEEN FOUND TO RESOLVE SAID PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
819566
Incident
Jun 1, 1994
Transmission
Filed Mar 16, 1997

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIP STICK/FILLER TUBE FRACTURED, CAUSING LEAK WHEN FILLING. WITH FRACTURE SPILLOVER CAN OCCUR AND FIRE COULD IGNITE.

NHTSA ID
518326
Incident
Mar 15, 1997
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Feb 14, 1997

TURBO BRACKET BROKE, REPLACE BRACKET.

NHTSA ID
514777

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 K3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996131045.4
1995121136.4
1994Viewing611—
1993410—
1992320—
1991010—
1990320—
1989120—
1988110—

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.