1994 Chevrolet Silverado

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 210 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer › motor. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

28 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 123,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor74
100
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer45
100
Seats14
111
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip12
200
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner8
001
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring4
000
Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor3
000
Tires › Tread/Belt3
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor3
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jul 25, 2014142,652 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ENGINE FAILED AND RECOMMENDED SOME OF THE PARTS BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,652. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2014 *JS

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2013200,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 11/12/13*CN

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 201320,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE SFAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 17, 2012139,887 milesIL

WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY , THE BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION UNDER MY TRUCK I NOTICE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM BETWEEN THE FRAME AND FUEL TANK . I THEN NOTICE THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND I HAD NO WARNING . THE BRAKE LINES ARE LOCATED WHERE YOU CANNOT SEE THEM MAKING INSPECTION OF THEM NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE . I WAS LUCKY WHERE I WAS WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED .

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling SystemFire
Filed Oct 27, 2010200,000 milesCA

1994 CHEVY SILVERADO K2500 V8 HEATING SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND AFTER USE IT CATCHES ON FIRE. CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN TO YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU. MY TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS HERE IS A LINK OF OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/SILVERADO/2005/ELECTRICAL/BLOWER_MOTOR_WIRING_CAUGHT_FIRE.SHTML. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Apr 24, 2006129,000 milesMO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V159000, REGARDING THE VISIBILITY WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Seat Belts › Front › RetractorCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed Feb 8, 200668,000 milesOH

1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WAS IN VEHICLE CRASH. CRASH WAS OFFSET FRONTAL CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. OHIO STATE PATROL SAYS THE 1994 CHEVROLET WENT LEFT OF CENTER, COLLISION WAS WITH AN ADVANCE CEMENT TRUCK. MY FATHER IN LAW WAS DRIVING AND WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. PARAMEDICS UNBELTED HIM TO TREAT HIM, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICER. THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CORONERS REPORT LISTS BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE CHEST AS CAUSE OF DEATH. MOST OF HIS RIBS, HIS STERNUM, THE LEFT PELVIS, AND MOST OF THE BONES IN HIS LEFT LEG WERE BROKEN. HE DIED AS A RESULT OF THIS CRASH, AND I BELIEVE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY TO ALLOW HIS CHEST TO CONTACT THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 16, 2005191,500 milesCA

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS JUST HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY (THEY WORK TODAY). IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOMETIME. FORTUNATELY IT DOES NOT RAIN TOO OFTEN IN THE LA AREA. THIS WINDSHIELD WIPER ISSUE HAS LED TO SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. I SUSPECT THAT MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE UNIT AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000. I CONTACTED A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I DISAGREE COMPLETELY. MY VIN NUMBER IS [XXX]. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WOULD LIKE OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE BE NOTIFIED THAT THEY SHOULD GET THEIR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. RESPECTFULLY YOURS, [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 22, 2005KY

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1994 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE ADJUSTERS ON HIS BACK BRAKES. IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO ADJUST THE BACK BRAKES, HE HAS TO TAKE THE WHEELS AND THE HUB OFF TO ADJUST THEM . WHEN THE WHEEL IS PUT BACK ON, IT WAS SO LOOSE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. GM DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HIS VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL ON THE ABS RECALL. THE BRAKE SHOES ON THE REAR HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED SINCE 1994 AND CONSUMER WENT IN TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AND THE DEALER SAID THEY WERE LIKE BRAND NEW. THE BRAKE SHOES ON THE REAR IS NOT TOUCHING THE HUB. CONSUMER HAS TO CHANGE THE BRAKE ON HIS FRONT EVERY THREE MONTHS. *TT *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 20, 20052,000 milesMN

DT: THE CONSUMER FELLS THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 2001-2002 RECALL CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD. 1994 , CHEVEROLET, SILVERADO PICKUP. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE FAMILY OWNED IT. THE WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED AT HER EXPENSE LAST WEEK. *AK *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 9, 2005MI

DT:1994 CHEVROLET WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAKES A SQUEALING TYPE NOISE. IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF THE WIPERS WILL SOMETIME WORK. BEHIND THE MOTOR CAN BE TAPPED WITH A SCREW DRIVER AND IT STARTS WORKING. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON SOME 1994 MODELS, BUT HIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Mar 16, 2005131,042 milesLA

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED IN THE RAIN. I NOTED THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THE PROBLEM, SO I CALLED MY CHEVROLET DEALER TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. THE RECALL I REFER TO IS: GM RECALL NO. 03023.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring
Filed Feb 25, 2005123,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RAIN STORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Dec 16, 200485,000 milesOH

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR WERE INOPERATIVE DURING INCLEMENT CONDITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND D INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 1, 2004CO

THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Oct 20, 2004160,000 milesCA

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 22, 200441,000 milesNY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 10, 2004AZ

A ROCK FELL FROM THE MOUNTAINS WHILE DRIVING AND HIT THE FUEL TANK. GASOLINE STARTED LEAKING FROM THE TANK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 9, 2004151,000 milesFL

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. DEALER WAS INFORMED. *AK

Tires
Filed May 13, 2004OH

I WANT TO REPORT TIRE SEPARATION ON THREE OF MY DUNLOP P25570SR15ROVER-ATSL TIRES PURCHASED FROM TIRES UNLIMITED OF DAYTON OH . ALL THREE WENT BAD AT THE SAME TIME WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON THEM. I REPLACED THEM WITH THEIR RECOMMENDED FIRESTONE TIRES AT A COST TO ME OF ABOUT $340.00.*AK

20 of 210 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2017125030Routine
20165200Routine
201576720Routine
20141241400Do not drive
201364320Routine
201268240Routine
201175220Routine
201062120Routine
200976031Fatalities reported
2008162251Fatalities reported
20071834101Fatalities reported
20061821075Fatalities reported
20053161470Above average
200462215103Fatalities reported
200369513112Fatalities reported
20027101551Fatalities reported
20018771553Fatalities reported
20001,30520112Fatalities reported
19991,6601760High concern
1998279052Fatalities reported
1997272060Above average
1996186030Routine
1995263000Above average
1994 — this page210041Fatalities reported
199369000Routine
199240030Routine
199117000Routine
199025000Routine

Compare every Silverado year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.