1994 Gmc K15 problems

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The Chevrolet C/K is a series of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors from the 1960 to 2002 model years. Marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions, the C/K series encompassed a wide range of vehicles. While most commonly associated with pickup trucks, the model line also included chassis-cab trucks and medium-duty trucks and served as the basis for GM full-size SUVs. Through its entire production, the model line competed directly against the Ford F-Series and the Dodge D series (later the Dodge Ram pickup).

Used for both the model branding and the internal model code, "C" denoted two-wheel drive, while "K" denoted four-wheel drive. Four generations of the C/K series were produced, including the GM monikered second-generation "Action Line" and third-generation "Rounded Line" vehicles (colloquially aka Square-Body trucks). For the fourth-generation (colloquially also known as OBS trucks), Chevrolet kept using the C/K designation while GMC revised its branding, changing to a singular GMC Sierra nameplate (C/K remained as an internal model code).

For South America, the model line was manufactured by General Motors de Argentina from 1960 to 1978, Sevel Argentina from 1986 to 1991, and General Motors Brazil, who produced versions of the model line for Brazil, Argentina, and Chile from 1964 to 2001.

As GM entered the 1990s, the company revised its truck ranges, replacing the medium-duty C/K trucks with the Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick for 1990. For 1999, GM replaced the fourth-generation C/K pickup trucks with an all-new model line; in line with GMC, Chevrolet dropped the C/K nameplate (in favor of a singular Chevrolet Silverado nameplate). Initially marketed with its successor, the final C/K pickup trucks were produced for the 2000 model year. From 2001 to 2002, the final vehicles of the C/K model line were medium-duty chassis cab trucks.

1994 Gmc K15

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Common 1994 Gmc K15 problems

The GMC K1500, produced in 1994, has been reported to have several common problems based on car owner complaints. Here are the details of these issues:

  • Windshield Wipers May Fail Due to Faulty Wiper Motor Control Board: The windshield wipers may fail to work, fail to turn on, or keep running after being turned off. This issue is due to a defective wiper motor control board. A temporary fix is to lightly tap on the control box, which may cause the blades to start working again. For a more permanent solution, replace the wiper motor control board.
  • Excessive Oil Consumption: This is a common problem in many 2007-2013 GMC and Chevy trucks, including the 1994 K1500. The vehicle may consume more oil than usual due to worn-out piston rings or valve guides, which can lead to engine damage if not addressed. Regular maintenance and checking for oil leaks can help prevent this issue.
  • Alternator Failure: In older Sierras and Silverados, the alternator may eventually fail, causing the battery to die and possibly leading to an abnormal noise. This issue may or may not cause a dash warning light to come on. If the alternator fails, it will need to be replaced, which typically costs around $300 to $400. This problem occurs on average at around 125,000 miles.
  • Internal Distributor Faults: Some drivers have reported internal faults in the distributor, which may cause a squealing noise and rough engine running or stalling. The check engine light may or may not come on. Overhauling or replacing the internal distributor is necessary to correct this problem.
  • Wiper Motor Component Failure: The windshield wipers on models made between 1990 and 1999 may stop working intermittently due to a defective wiper motor. Auto manufacturers issued recalls for this problem on some models. If you experience trouble with your windshield wipers, check with a dealer to see if there is a recall on your vehicle.
  • Coolant Leaks or Oil Leaks From Intake Manifold Gaskets: Coolant or oil leaks from the intake manifold gaskets can cause engine overheating or loss of power. This issue is common in 1994 K1500 trucks and may require replacing the intake manifold gaskets.
  • Fuel Pump Failure: The fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall or have difficulty starting. This issue can be caused by a clogged fuel filter, a weak fuel pump relay, or a damaged fuel pump. Regular maintenance and checking the fuel filter can help prevent this issue .
  • ABS Problems: The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) may have issues, causing the ABS light to come on. This issue can be caused by a faulty ABS sensor, a damaged ABS control module, or a malfunctioning ABS pump. Checking the ABS system and replacing any faulty components can help resolve this issue .
  • Door Handle Failure: The exterior and interior door handles may break or fail, causing difficulty opening the doors. This issue can be caused by worn-out cables, rust, or moisture. Replacing the door handles and cables can help resolve this issue .
  • Heater Control Failure: The heater controls may fail, causing difficulty adjusting the temperature. This issue can be caused by a faulty heater control module, a damaged heater core, or a malfunctioning blower motor. Checking the heater controls and replacing any faulty components can help resolve this issue .

These are some of the common problems reported by GMC K1500 owners. Regular maintenance and checking for these issues can help prevent further damage and ensure the vehicle's longevity.

1994 Gmc K15 engine

1994 Gmc K15 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc K15 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Seats problems
  • Structure problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Visibility problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1994 Gmc K15 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1994 Gmc K15 complaints

The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1994 Gmc K15.

2008-07-18

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2008-07-18
  • VIN: 2GTEK19K5R1
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC K15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THE WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE AS THEY SHOULD, BUT RATHER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL THAT LISTED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD STOP WORKING AND REDUCE VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPER FAILURE OCCURRED REGULARLY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 171,000.
2002-05-14

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-08-27
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • VIN: 1GCGK29K0RE
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: PASSENGERS DOOR WAS STARTING TO SAG, NOT SHUTTING PROPERLY. WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE DOOR SWUNG OPEN WHILE CHILD WAS SITTING IN SEAT, AND FELL OUT. *AK THE CHILD, WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, FELL OUT WHEN THE DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND RECEIVED ROAD RASH ON ELBOW AND KNEES. *YH
1996-10-11

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-09-26
  • VIN: 1GTEK19K5RE
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: SEAT FRAME/ANCHOR RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.
1996-08-30

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-07-20
  • VIN: 1GTEK19K5RE
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: DEALERSHIP HASN'T RECEIVED THE PARTS FOR TWO MONTHS CONCERNING RECALL (93V-216). *AK
1996-05-23

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-05-15
  • Fire: 1
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: DRIVING VEHICLE, TRAILER BEING PULLED, NOTICED SMOKE & PULLED OVER, FLAMES STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, COULD NOT PUT FLAMES OUT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
1996-04-08

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-04-07
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHEN THERE IS A LOW OF 500 LBS OR MORE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES BRAKE LOSS, TRUCK HAS REAR ABS. *AK
1996-02-23

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-06-01
  • VIN: 1GCEK19K3RE
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RATTLES LIKE IT LOSE ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON FLOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1996-02-23

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-06-01
  • VIN: 1GCEK19K3RE
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RATTLES LIKE IT LOSE ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON FLOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1995-06-27

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-06-15
  • VIN: 1GTEK19K3RE
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES, LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, EQUIPPED WITH ABS SYSTEM BRAKES. TT
1995-05-17

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 2GTEK19KXR1
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: REAR DOOR COMES OPEN, HAD FIXED TWICE, STILL COMES OPEN. TT
1995-04-12

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-04-04
  • VIN: 2GTEC19K7R1
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: DRIVER SIDE SEAT FELL BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH, CAUSING SEAT BACK FAILURE. TT

1994 Gmc K15 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 1994 Gmc K15.

1995-12-21
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLE COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
  • Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOAM AND/OR FABRIC SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT FRAME, INSTALL WASHERS BETWEEN THE SEAT RECLINER AND THE SEAT FRAME AT EACH ATTACHMENT POINT, AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHING BOLTS TORQUED TO A HIGHER SPECIFICATION. THESE CORRECTIONS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.
1994-10-26
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
  • Summary: THE WINDSHIELDS WERE INSTALLED WITH INCORRECT WINDSHIELD OPENING PINCH-WELD-FLANGE PRIMER. THIS PRIMER WILL NOT PROPERLY ETCH THE PAINTED SURFACE OF THE FLANGE, ALLOWING THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A COLLISION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
  • Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE SEPARATION OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE VEHICLE DURING COLLISION INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY FOR ALL PERSONS INVOLVED.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND REINSTALL IT USING THE CORRECT PRIMER.
1994-04-05
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
  • Summary: TRUCKS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE LEFT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRAME REAR NUT TIGHTENED BELOW THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. LOW TORQUE ON THIS NUT MAY ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSED AND SUBSEQUENTLY FATIGUE AND BREAK. THE BOLT BREAKAGE CAN CAUSE THE LEFT HAND CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
  • Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD RESULT.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE LEFT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRAME REAR NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
1993-12-14
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: THE SEATS HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITHOUT BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE UPPER SLAVE HINGE TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, OR WITHOUT BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE SEAT TO THE SEAT ADJUSTER. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FNVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
  • Consequence: THE MISSING BOLTS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO BECOMELOOSE AND IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT MAY SUBJECT THE OCCUPANT TO INCREASEDRISK OF INJURY.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT SEATS FOR MISSING BOLTS AND INSTALL BOLTS IF REQUIRED.
1993-09-15
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
  • Summary: THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER IS MISSING, MISPOSITIONED OR NOT PROPERLY SEATED.
  • Consequence: BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD PROBLEMS CAN CAUSE THE STOP LAMPSWITCH AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSH ROD TO DISCONNECT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL,RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE OPERATION, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUTPRIOR WARNING.
  • Remedy: INSPECT VEHICLES TO ASSURE THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER IS PRESENT AND FULLY SEATED IN ITS CORRECT POSITION.
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