1994 Chevrolet C1500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 152 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (47% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Began to park, depressing clutch to no effect with truck staying in gear. Would not go into neutral. Kept moving with breaks on and clutch depressed. Found master cylinder for clutch broken and leaking fluid. Bought new master cylinder only to find notice in box if part was broken where it was cracked gm had technical letter out and cylinder warranty would not be honored. Turns out to save the cost of a greas zerck no point of lubrication was provided for the fork arm ball which leads to failure. Cost to have 85 cent grease zerck installed by gm dealer is $500 dollars. The fork is another $1000 as quoted by dealer.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2011
“Daughter was driving vehicle-brake pedal went to floor and she could not stop vehicle and accident occurred- inspection of vehicle after fact revealed that the master cylinder had failed. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2009
“Throttle cable sticking while driving. I was driving and passing another vehicle when I pressed the gas to pass it stuck to the floor unable to brake had to drive off road to avoid accident I put the truck in neutral in order to come to a stop the rpms continued to stay high pass 5000 rpms for several minutes I then turn the truck off waited started it a few minutes later and the rpms immediately raised again to 500 rpms I then turn the truck off again and waited longer. When I did start it again it acted like nothing had ever happened. This has happened several times in the last several weeks. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“1994, chevrolet c1500 extended cab pu with electric seats. Front left seat mount broke as I climbed into seat. I was lucky I was not driving. Still trying to fix it so part is still on truck. *tr”Owner report · Seats · May 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 mph, the windshield wipers functioned intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, who determined that the circuit board for the wiper motor had cracked solder joints. The manufacturer was contacted, who stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA recall #03v159000, which pertained to the windshield wiper/washer.”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the rear driver side tire blew out while traveling 60 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop to have the tire replaced. The mechanic stated that many customers had the same type of blowout. Updated 11/3/2006 - when the tire blewout it damaged the left side of the vehicle. *nm”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2006
“Dt: 1994 chevrolet 1500. The consumer stated that there was a recall on a bolt for the seat about seven years ago. The recall repairs were done. After the recall repairs were completed the consumer was driving and the seat failed. The consumer called chevrolet and they stated that the recall work was out of warranty and that the consumer would have to pay to have the seat repaired again. The seat failure did not result in a crash or any injuries.*ak *mr”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2005
“I purchase this vehicle new. Automatic transmission quit shifting into 3-4 on 3-20-05. Transmission required rebuild. Upon disassembly I discovered the 3-4 accumulator pump spring was not installed in the transmission so the 3-4 gears have been running over volume and pressure from day one leading to eventual failure. New part will be purchased and installed.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2005
“During wet conditions (rain/snow) the windshield wipers on my 1994 chevrolet c-1500 stop for extended periods of time making it very difficult to see the road and the traffic in front of me. This problem first occurred in 2005. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2005
“When driving in a rain storm windshield wipers failed intermittently. Recall 03v159000 was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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.
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).
How other years compare
Check your exact C1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Chevrolet C1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 152 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Chevrolet C1500. The most complained-about area is visibility (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Chevrolet C1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 120,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Chevrolet C1500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.