RoadVitals

1994 GMC Sierra

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.
190
Latest Oct 28, 2019
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.
3
Latest Jul 1, 1998
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.
0
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
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 190 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 GMC Sierra, most frequently naming the visibility, interior & seats and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

3 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
98V150001

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Jul 1, 1998
1,557,585 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 98043View on NHTSA.gov
95V242000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Dec 13, 1995
40 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH FRONT SEAT BELT SYSTEMS WITH NO ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOPS AND MAY NOT MEET THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETRACTOR PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY(S) WITH ONE HAVING THE NEWLY DESIGNED ENERGY-MANAGEMENT TWIN-LOOP SYSTEM.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
95V241000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Dec 13, 1995
630,099 units potentially affected
The defect: IF BOTH THE LAP-BELT AND SHOULDER-BELT ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOPS ON THE FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES RELEASE AT OR NEAR THE SAME TIME, ACCELERATION FORCES CAN CAUSE THE BUCKLE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ACTIVATE AND ALLOW THE BUCKLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE LATCH.
The risk: IF THE BUCKLE RELEASED, THE SYSTEM WOULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT PROTECTION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STITCHING THAT CREATES THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOP IN THE SHOULDER BELT(S).
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 190
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 28, 2019

SEAT BACK PIVOT PIN BROKE. THE SEAT CAN ONLY RECLINE. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO RECALL 95V246000. BUT MY VIN DOESN'T SHOW UP WHEN SEARCHED. WHY IS MY VIN NOT INCLUDED? THIS IS A 1994 GMC SIERRA SLE. THANKS

NHTSA ID
11271485
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH TO THE BUCKLE. ALSO, THE STRAP THAT GOES ACROSS THE DRIVER'S CHEST WOULD NOT ADJUST TO HIS HEIGHT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH COLE BUICK GMC (6600 S WESTNEDGE AVE, PORTAGE, MI 49002, 269-323-3200) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID
11244131
Incident
Jul 22, 2019
Mileage
145,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 31, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE OWNER WHO STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10433666 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN UPDATED 12/12/11

NHTSA ID
10433674
Incident
Oct 29, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 11, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO FUNCTION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V150001 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BU THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10429410
Incident
Nov 17, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT SUPPORTING THE FRONT SEAT BACKS SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED THE SEAT BACKS TO FALL BACKWARDS. HE REPAIRED THE ISSUE HIMSELF AFTER PURCHASING ANOTHER SET OF BOLTS FROM THE DEALER TWO YEARS AGO. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO DRIVING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO YEARS AGO. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 193,377 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10268220
Incident
Jun 18, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 13, 2006

I AM EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY WIPERS NOT WORKING ON A 1994 GMC SIERRA PICKUP. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WET AND WITHOUT THE AID OF THE WIPERS WORKING PROPERLY VISIBILITY IS NEAR ZERO. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. NO WARNING SIGNALS ARE GIVEN WHEN THE WIPERS WILL OR WILL NOT WORK. MOST RECENTLY I CALLED A GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT WITH THE AGE OF THE TRUCK THIS PROBLEM WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR. THIS LEFT ME THE FEELING THAT THEY (GENERAL MOTORS) WERE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE ISSUE. AT THIS POINT THE CONDITION STILL EXISTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162302
Incident
Jul 13, 2006
Mileage
100,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 8, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V150001, REGARDING THE VISIBILITY WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10159358
Incident
Jun 8, 2006
Mileage
145,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 28, 2006

CONSUMER 1994 SIERRA 1500 WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS ON AND OFF. *TS THE STARTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155147
Incident
Mar 8, 2005

Manufacturer communications

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

04-06-04-051F

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.

130089009

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

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

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

01570

SUSPENSION:REAR

SPRING SLAP NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE GMT 400 SERIES TRUCK. *MN

02054

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED BOULDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS SPECIAL POLICY COVERS THE CONDITION FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS OR 70,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP OR FOR THESE VEHICLES CURRENTLY OUTSIDE OF THIS COVERAGE UNTIL FEBRUARY 29, 2004. *TT

02054

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURES. *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

GMC Sierra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017610037.8
2016620—
2015536050.3
201410112053.9
2013393051.4
2012292051.1
2011432042.2
2010341045.6
2009371041.7
2008682250.8
2007592050.2
2006536052.7
200511711048.1
200418810051.8
20032069558.4
20022497865.4
20012647966.2
200044312965.4
199960091065.3
19981900246.8
19972380034.6
19962462358.9
19952616360.6
1994Viewing1903048.9
1993723051.6
1992304052.6
1991122039.9
1990182051.4
1989162154.7
1988621—
1987100—
1983200—
1982100—
1979001—
1977200—
1976200—

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.