RoadVitals

1994 GMC K15

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.
10
Latest Jul 18, 2008
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.
5
Latest Dec 21, 1995
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 GMC K15, most frequently naming the interior & seats, body & structure and brakes categories. 5 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

  • Interior & seats440.0%
  • Body & structure220.0%
  • Brakes220.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
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
94V212000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Oct 26, 1994
29 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WINDSHIELDS WERE INSTALLED WITH INCORRECT WINDSHIELD OPENING PINCH-WELD-FLANGE PRIMER. THIS PRIMER WILL NOT PROPERLY ETCH THE PAINTED SURFACE OF THE FLANGE, ALLOWING THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A COLLISION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE SEPARATION OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE VEHICLE DURING COLLISION INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY FOR ALL PERSONS INVOLVED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND REINSTALL IT USING THE CORRECT PRIMER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
94V060000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Apr 5, 1994
30,148 units potentially affected
The defect: TRUCKS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE LEFT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRAME REAR NUT TIGHTENED BELOW THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. LOW TORQUE ON THIS NUT MAY ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSED AND SUBSEQUENTLY FATIGUE AND BREAK. THE BOLT BREAKAGE CAN CAUSE THE LEFT HAND CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD RESULT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE LEFT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRAME REAR NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
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 10
Visibility
Filed Jul 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC K15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THE WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE AS THEY SHOULD, BUT RATHER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL THAT LISTED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD STOP WORKING AND REDUCE VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPER FAILURE OCCURRED REGULARLY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 171,000.

NHTSA ID
10234862
Incident
Jul 18, 2008
Mileage
171,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2002
1 injury reported

PASSENGERS DOOR WAS STARTING TO SAG, NOT SHUTTING PROPERLY. WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE DOOR SWUNG OPEN WHILE CHILD WAS SITTING IN SEAT, AND FELL OUT. *AK THE CHILD, WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, FELL OUT WHEN THE DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND RECEIVED ROAD RASH ON ELBOW AND KNEES. *YH

NHTSA ID
8009812
Incident
Aug 27, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 11, 1996

SEAT FRAME/ANCHOR RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.

NHTSA ID
509700
Incident
Sep 26, 1996
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 30, 1996

DEALERSHIP HASN'T RECEIVED THE PARTS FOR TWO MONTHS CONCERNING RECALL (93V-216). *AK

NHTSA ID
800560
Incident
Jul 20, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 23, 1996
Fire reported

DRIVING VEHICLE, TRAILER BEING PULLED, NOTICED SMOKE & PULLED OVER, FLAMES STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, COULD NOT PUT FLAMES OUT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
984788
Incident
May 15, 1996
Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 1996

WHEN THERE IS A LOW OF 500 LBS OR MORE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES BRAKE LOSS, TRUCK HAS REAR ABS. *AK

NHTSA ID
982457
Incident
Apr 7, 1996
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 23, 1996

RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RATTLES LIKE IT LOSE ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON FLOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
979614
Incident
Jun 1, 1994
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 1995

PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES, LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, EQUIPPED WITH ABS SYSTEM BRAKES. TT

NHTSA ID
967775
Incident
Jun 15, 1995

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

GMC K15 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996010—
1995801—
1994Viewing105157.8
1993113—
1992022—
1991011—
1990131—
1989021—
1988261—
1986010—
1985110—
1982010—
1978020—
1974010—
1972010—

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.