Total Complaints
29 filings
GMC K1500 · model year
1994 GMC K1500
29 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994GMCK1500 carries 29 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, 0 injuries, 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 K1500 is visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor with 4 filings, followed by exterior lighting:brake lights:switch (3) and seats:front assembly:recliner (2). 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 K1500. 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.
29
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
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 | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 3 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20030404VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. GMC REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER THE PRODUCT DEFECT NOTICE. *JB
Mileage: 110,000
20020918VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS PERFORM ERRATICLY, NOT RESPONDING OR QUITTING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN AWARE OF PROBLEM, AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
20020128VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
RECLINER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
20020128SEATS
RECLINER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
20010316EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V025. NLM
20000410EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ISN'T OPERABLE. BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT SEEN WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES. SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, PLUS 1 RECALL. *AK *ML
19990927SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
19990921EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (G98065-S). MJS
19990525SEATS
SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOVES BACK AND FORTH AN THE TRACK, AND IS VERY HARD TO LOCK IN PLACE. ONCE THE SEAT IS LOCKED IN PLACE, IT WIGGLES. THE PROLBEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *AK
19990510SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS FAILED CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE TO GO INTO DITCH FROM LOSS OF CONTROL WITH DAMAGES TO VEHICLE. MJS.
19990408SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
DEFECT 1: REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED, LEAKING AXLE GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ORINGINAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED IN 1995 UNDER WARRANTY BY ASTRO MOTORS, FAIRMONT, WV. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE NOTED DURING BRAKE CHECK ON 03/22/1999. DEALER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING WARRANTY REPAIR INFORMATION AND COULD/WOULD NOT LOCATE SINCE I COULDN'T PROVIDE A REPAIR ORDER NUMBER. LOCAL DEALER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM GMC. DEFECT 2: FRONT CALIPERS RUSTED IN CLOSED POSITION DUE TO CORROSSIVE ROAD CHEMICALS. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES AND SCORING OF ROTORS. NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS DRIVEN DAILY A 6 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK. IT IS DISTURBING THAT THE REAR SEALS NOTED AS DEFECT 1 HAVE FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER/COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORDS OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY REPAIR. *AK
19990408POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
DEFECT 1: REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED, LEAKING AXLE GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ORINGINAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED IN 1995 UNDER WARRANTY BY ASTRO MOTORS, FAIRMONT, WV. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE NOTED DURING BRAKE CHECK ON 03/22/1999. DEALER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING WARRANTY REPAIR INFORMATION AND COULD/WOULD NOT LOCATE SINCE I COULDN'T PROVIDE A REPAIR ORDER NUMBER. LOCAL DEALER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM GMC. DEFECT 2: FRONT CALIPERS RUSTED IN CLOSED POSITION DUE TO CORROSSIVE ROAD CHEMICALS. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES AND SCORING OF ROTORS. NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS DRIVEN DAILY A 6 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK. IT IS DISTURBING THAT THE REAR SEALS NOTED AS DEFECT 1 HAVE FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER/COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORDS OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY REPAIR. *AK
19990408SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DEFECT 1: REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED, LEAKING AXLE GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ORINGINAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED IN 1995 UNDER WARRANTY BY ASTRO MOTORS, FAIRMONT, WV. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE NOTED DURING BRAKE CHECK ON 03/22/1999. DEALER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING WARRANTY REPAIR INFORMATION AND COULD/WOULD NOT LOCATE SINCE I COULDN'T PROVIDE A REPAIR ORDER NUMBER. LOCAL DEALER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM GMC. DEFECT 2: FRONT CALIPERS RUSTED IN CLOSED POSITION DUE TO CORROSSIVE ROAD CHEMICALS. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES AND SCORING OF ROTORS. NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS DRIVEN DAILY A 6 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK. IT IS DISTURBING THAT THE REAR SEALS NOTED AS DEFECT 1 HAVE FAILED A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER/COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECORDS OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY REPAIR. *AK
19981113FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE SENDING UNIT ON THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FUEL LINE LEADING FROM THE TANK TO THE ENGINE AND ON THE RETURN LINE. SHOULDN'T THESE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINES BE MORE RESISTANT TO CORROSION THAN THE TANK? A HOLE EATEN IN THE TANK WILL LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. A HOLE IN THESE LINES WILL SPRAY FUEL ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK. THANK YOU.
19980826VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY.
19980205VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL.
19970527SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING LEAKAGE.
19970527SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WAS BROKEN AND REPLACED.
19970527FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS SMELL RELEASED INSIDE THE CAB.
19970527POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION.
Compare 1994GMCK1500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 GMC K1500 have?▼
The 1994 GMC K1500 has 29 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 GMC K1500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 GMC K1500 is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH and SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER.
Is the 1994 GMC K1500 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.