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1994 Gmc 1500 problems

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The fourth generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by the Chevrolet and GMC brands from the 1988 to the 2002 model years, this is the final generation of the C/K model line. In a branding change, GMC adopted the GMC Sierra nameplate for all its full-size pickup trucks, leaving the C/K nomenclature exclusive to Chevrolet.

Internally codenamed the GMT400 platform, GM did not give the model line a word moniker (e.g., "Rounded-Line series" for its predecessor). After its production, the model line would informally become known by the public as the "OBS" (Old Body Style), in reference to its GMT800 successor. In starting a different tradition, the model line overlapped production with both its predecessor and successor; the model line again shared body commonality with GM medium-duty commercial trucks.

Over nearly a 14-year production run, the fourth-generation C/K was assembled by GM in multiple facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. After the 2000 model year, the fourth-generation C/K was discontinued and was replaced by the GMT800 platform (introduced for 1999); the C3500HD heavy-duty chassis cab model remained in production through 2002. In line with the GMC Sierra, Chevrolet subsequently adopted a singular Chevrolet Silverado nameplate for its full-size truck line (which remains in use).

1994 Gmc 1500

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Common 1994 Gmc 1500 problems

The 1994 GMC 1500 is known for several common problems that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:

  • Excessive Oil Consumption: Some owners of the 1994 GMC 1500 have reported excessive oil consumption, with some drivers using as much as a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. This issue is often caused by the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which disables some of the engine's cylinders at lower RPMs to reduce fuel use. This system can lead to oil use problems, as well as premature spark plug degradation and engine malfunction. Some drivers have used engine tuners to deactivate the AFM system, which can be an effective solution if configured correctly.
  • Defective Speakers: Another common problem with the 1994 GMC 1500 is defective speakers, particularly in the door. These speakers often quit working one at a time over several months, leading to a loss of sound quality. Some owners have reported that replacing the speakers has resolved the issue.
  • Alternator Failure: In older 1994 GMC 1500s, the alternator may eventually fail, causing the battery to die and potentially leading to abnormal noises. This issue can occur around 125,000 miles and typically requires replacement of the alternator, which can cost between $300 and $400.
  • Internal Distributor Faults: Some owners of the 1994 GMC 1500 have reported internal faults in the distributor, which can cause a squealing noise and lead to rough engine running or stalling. This issue can be resolved by overhauling or replacing the internal distributor.

It's important to note that these are common issues reported by owners of the 1994 GMC 1500, but not all vehicles will experience these problems. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent many of these issues and ensure that the vehicle remains in good working order.

1994 Gmc 1500 engine

1994 Gmc 1500 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc 1500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Visibility problems
  • Seats problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1994 Gmc 1500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1994 Gmc 1500

The NHTSA has received 29 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1994 Gmc 1500. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1994 Gmc 1500 vehicles.

2017-06-19

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2017-04-23
  • VIN: 2GCEC19Z9R1
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK IVED TRIED EVERY THING TO FIX THEM AND I CANT SEEMED TO FIND THE PROBLEM I WAS WONDERING IF THE WIREING OR BRAKE SWITCH WERE RECALLS
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2004-10-07

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-10-07
  • VIN: 2GTEK19KXR1
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: 1994 GMC SIERRA PICKUP ([XXX]) GM HAS 2 RECALLS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEMS ON 1994 AND NEWER PICKUPS AND SUVS (RECALL 98043 AND SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT 02054A). MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM NOTED IN THE RECALLS: INTERMITTENT WIPER OPERATION RESULTING FROM CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE WIPER MOTOR CONTROL'S PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AT ITS CONNECTION TO THE WIRING HARNESS. BUT, BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT MATCH THOSE IN THE RECALL, I AM LEFT TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM ON MY OWN. I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS FOR A FEW YEARS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE TIME OR MONEY TO FIX IT. AND, MY BRIEF INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS NUMEROUS OTHER GM OWNERS IN THE SAME SITUATION ... THE SAME PROBLEM IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL BUT LEFT IN THE COLD BY GM BECAUSE OF VIN NUMBER EXCLUSIONS. MY CALL TO GM REVEALED THAT THE RECALL WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AT CERTAIN PLANTS, BECAUSE ONLY THOSE PLANTS USED PARTS FROM "DEFECTIVE BATCHES." THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM (BAD SOLDER JOINTS) SEEMS TO ME A DESIGN ISSUE (FAILURE TO MITIGATE VIBRATION, TOO RIGID A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WIRING CONNECTOR AND PCB?), NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT (BAD BATCH OF MATERIAL, IMPROPERLY SOLDERED JOINT?). SAME SYMPTOMS RESULTING FROM THE SAME FAILURE ON THE SAME PART WITH THE SAME PART NUMBER? WHEN I PRESSED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. ON THIS QUESTION (VIN NUMBER AND PARTS BATCH ARE IRRELEVANT IF IT IS A DESIGN FLAW, WHICH I THINK IT IS), I GOT THE PROVERBIAL RUN-AROUND. AND, MY WIPERS STILL DON'T WORK. *NM UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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2004-08-20

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-07-12
  • VIN: 1GTDC14Z1RZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS RUN INTERMITTENTLY SEVERELY LIMITIING VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. GMC NOTIFIED ME THAT MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT RECALL EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
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2004-06-08

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-01-24
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
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2004-03-17

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-03-15
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
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2003-12-07

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-12-29
  • VIN: 1GTEC14Z6RZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WIPERS ON MY 1994 GMC PICK-UP DO NOT WORK AT ALL TIMES WHEN REQUIRED. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. GMC ACKNOWLEDGED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE; HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR RECALL ORDERS, MY CONTACT WITH GMC PRODUCED NEGATIVE RESULTS. *LA
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2003-07-29

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-07-29
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: CONSUMER STATES HE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HIS GMC 1500 ONCE HE PUTS THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTS THE VEHICLE. WHEN IT IS TIME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF HE CANNOT CUT IT OFF. IT IS HARD TO ENGAGE THE THE SWIFT LEVEL TO PARK AND REMOVE THE KEY. HE IS KILLING THE STARTER. CONSUMER HAS WORKED ON TRUCKS FOR A LONG TIME AND HAS NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.*AK
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2003-03-04

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-05-15
  • VIN: FULLFILL
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: A FAULTY BOLT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO BREAK. WHEN THE BOLT BROKE IT WAS HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD *NLM
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2003-02-18

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-06-16
  • VIN: 1GTEC14K3RZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNTIONED STOPED WORKING. HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE SINCE THEN.
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2002-08-14

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-05-10
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING 65MPH IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING.*AK
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2002-08-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-06-15
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRED/ REPLACED FUSES. BRAKE LIGHT STILL NOT WORKING.*AK
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2002-07-24

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-01-12
  • VIN: 2GTEK19K4R1
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING 35MPH IN THE RAIN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST SHUT OFF, CAUSING DRIVER TO BRAKE. DRIVER HAS NO CONFIDENCE IN WIPER OPERATION. *AK THIS PART WAS RECALLED #98V150, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. *JG
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2001-11-09

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-07-01
  • VIN: 1GDFG15R5Y1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BRAKES WILLNOT HOLD WHEN THEY GET HOT, PEDAL IS SOFT AND GOES AL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THIS CONVERSION VAN FRONT BRAKE PADS ONLY LASTS 14000 THIS IS THE 4TH SET OF BRAKE PADS.*SLC
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2001-06-01

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1GTEC14K2RZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN IN USE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR WIPERS. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S. *AK
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2000-11-30

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-01-01
  • VIN: 16TEK14KGRE
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. DEALER ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKES DO ALL THE BRAKING, REAR BRAKES ARE IN NEW CONDITION AFTER 90000 MILES. *AK THE DRIVELINE EXPERIENCES A CLUNK. THE TRIP SETTER IS FAULTY, CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR DEALER TO REPLACED THE DASH/GAUGE ASSEMBLY. *SLC
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2000-10-01

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-09-30
  • VIN: 1GTDC14Z2RZ
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: THE TREAD SEPARATED OFF TWO NEW UNIROYAL LAREDO P235/75R15M+S TIRES WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED ON THE GMC PICKUP. *AK (DOT NUMBER: APHLF3U343 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
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2000-07-11

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-05-05
  • VIN: 2GTEK1KXR15
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS WILL NOT RELEASE. THEY ARE STUCK OR JAMMED. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO FASTEN SEATBELTS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPAIRED THE DRIVERS SIDE. BUT, PASSENGER'S SIDE STILL IS NOT USABLE.*AK
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2000-07-06

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
  • VIN: 1GTEK14K0PZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR JUST QUIT WORKING, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY.*AK
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2000-06-14

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-06-02
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 2GTEC19W0T1
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF GARAGE, AND IT ROLLED OUT OF THE GARAGE INTO A TREE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED. *AK
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2000-02-08

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-02-04
  • VIN: 1GTDC14K2RZ
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED, CAUSING GASOLINE TO SEAP THROUGH. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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1999-10-14

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-10-10
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: NOT AVAILAB
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT FORTY MPH WENT TO CHANGE LANES, AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO CRASH. *AK
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1999-10-07

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-10-02
  • VIN: 2GTEK19K9R1
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: SEAT LATCH WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 94C62, OCT. 20,1997. SINCE THEN HAS BROKEN AGAIN ON 0CT. 2,1999. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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1999-09-30

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-09-26
  • VIN: 2GTEK19R2T1
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. HEARD A BUZZING NOISE IN THE MOTOR. CONTACTED DEALER & MANUFACTURER. *AK
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1999-09-09

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
  • VIN: 1GKFK16K5RJ
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THREE OR FOUR INSTANCES OVER THE PAST YEARS BUT TWO INSTANCES SO FAR THIS YEAR 1999. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
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1999-07-26

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-09-05
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED.WENT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND WAS TOLD ROTORS WERE SHOTTED.
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