Total Complaints
28 filings
GMC C1500 · model year
1994 GMC C1500
28 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994GMCC1500 carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 C1500 is visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor with 5 filings, followed by seats (4) and seats:front assembly:recliner (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1994 C1500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
28
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 5 |
| SEATS | 4 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040427VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING DURING RAINY WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, RECALL 03V159000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
Mileage: 55,000
20010301SEATS
SEAT KEEPS BREAKING CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS SEAT REPAIRED 4 TIMES, THE SAME ONE.*AK
20001215SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
PISTON ON RIGHT FRONT CALIPER IS HANGING INSIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK
20001002SEATS
I HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 7 COMPLAINTS AND FAILURRES WITH DRIVERS SEAT. BOLTS, CABLES,LOOSE BOLTS AND PORTIONS OF SEAT REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FROM GM THAT WAS INSTALLED IN MY TRUCK ON 6-17-96. "RECALL 94C62"- "GM12386793 16682 BOLT" "SV V9870 CAMP 94-C-62" - "AS PER GM INSTRUCTIONS INSTALL UPDATED SEAT RELCINER BOLTS TO COMPLETE POLICY 94C62." THIS SEEMED TO FINALLY SOLVE MY DRIVERS SEAT PROBLEMS UNTIL MARCH 2000, WHEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE SEAT RELINER BROKE AND I FOUND MY SELF IN A COMPLETE RECLINED POSITION TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WASNT AN ACCIDENT AND OTHER THAN TEMPORARILY AGRIVATING AN EXISTING BACK INJURY THERE WAS NO ONE HURT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED SINCE MARCH TO GET A RESOLUTION FROM GENERAL MOTORS,PRODUCT ALLEGATION MANAGER TIMIKI JACOBS, ESIS TRACY SAVERINO, GM CLAIM ADMINISTRATOR GENNIE CHANDLER AND HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH A LOCAL PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR THEY HIRED TO INTERVIEW ME, TAKE PHOTOS AND I GAVE HIM 0NE PIECE OF THE FAILED BOLT. UN BEKNOWNST
20000623VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #'S 98V150000 AND 98V150001. HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT GMC INDICATES THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. I HAVE RETAINED PART FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.
20000622VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE TRAVELING DURNING RAINY WEATHER WINDSHELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20000221ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS LEAKING ALONG WITH WITH THE SEAL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I LEAVED IN AN APARTMENT FOR 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I BOUGHT MY HOUSE THAT I REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WHICH PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THEIR WAS ANYTHING THAT THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AT THIS POINT OR AM I SOL?*AK
20000221ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS LEAKING ALONG WITH WITH THE SEAL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I LEAVED IN AN APARTMENT FOR 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I BOUGHT MY HOUSE THAT I REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WHICH PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THEIR WAS ANYTHING THAT THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AT THIS POINT OR AM I SOL?*AK
20000221POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS LEAKING ALONG WITH WITH THE SEAL AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I LEAVED IN AN APARTMENT FOR 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I BOUGHT MY HOUSE THAT I REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WHICH PROBLEM HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THEIR WAS ANYTHING THAT THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AT THIS POINT OR AM I SOL?*AK
19990628VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. NEEDS TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19981101POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
WHEN YOU STOP YOU ALWAYS HEAR A CLUNK. IT WILL MOVE YOU IN YOUR SEAT AS IF THE SEATS ARE LOOSE.THEY ARE NOT WE HAVE CKECKED.
19980713SEATS
THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILURE, AND THE OWNER OF THIS TRUCK EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS LISTED ON THE INVESTIGATION. THE SEAT MOUNTING BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FOURTH, PE 97 027. *AK
19971205VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN TURNING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN IT'S RAINING THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN THEY WILL STOP, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS HAPPENS AT ALL WIPER SPEEDS, SOMETIMES CONSUMER CAN RESTART WIPERS BY MOVING THE ARMS, DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE EVERYTHING SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *SLC
19971205VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHEN TURNING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN IT'S RAINING THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN THEY WILL STOP, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS HAPPENS AT ALL WIPER SPEEDS, SOMETIMES CONSUMER CAN RESTART WIPERS BY MOVING THE ARMS, DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE EVERYTHING SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *SLC
19970911SEATS
WHILE GETTING INTO DRIVER'S SEAT, THE SEAT FRAME BOLT BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRACKS IN VEHICLE & SEAT GAVE WAY. WILL BE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
19961206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE DIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. OWNER IS CONCERND THAT DRIVER MAY BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF STALLING. *AK
19961204SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEATBACK BOLTS BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE, HAVING LOT OF PLAY WHILE DRIVING. *AK
19960930SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT BOLT BROKE DURING COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY PRIOR TO RECALL. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
19960911POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN YOU ARE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE PULLS BACK OR JERKS BACK. THIS HAPPENS ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES IN (3) YEARS.*AK
19960118SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SEAT BACK HAS BROKEN TWICE; TILTING BACKWARDS. TT
Compare 1994GMCC1500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 GMC C1500 have?▼
The 1994 GMC C1500 has 28 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 GMC C1500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 GMC C1500 is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER.
Is the 1994 GMC C1500 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.