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1994 Chevrolet C20 problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Chevrolet C20 is brakes. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical C20 model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
12
Recalls
8
Service bulletins
1
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 1994 Chevrolet C20 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Visibility
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Visibility
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 8

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported February 5, 1999 · 988,587 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: pickup trucks, crew cabs, utility trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles were built with the polarity of the wiring for the zero adjust brake switch reversed from what was specified on the switch drawing. With the reversed polarity, the contacts in the brake switch can wear out prematurely. The brake switch will perform normally until the brake switch contacts wear out, resulting in loss of the brake lamps without any warning to the driver.
Risk
This would fail to warn a following driver that the vehicle is braking and could lead to a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake switch and reverse the wiring.

Recall number 99V025000 · Recall details

SeatsReported December 21, 1995 · 675,661 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicle could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.
Risk
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.

Recall number 95V246000 · Recall details

Seat belts: frontReported December 13, 1995 · 630,099 vehicles affected
What is wrong
If both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy management loops on the front seat belt assemblies release at or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch.
Risk
If the buckle released, the system would fail to provide adequate occupant restraint protection.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy management loop in the shoulder belt(s).

Recall number 95V241000 · Recall details

Seat belts: frontReported December 13, 1995 · 40 vehicles affected
What is wrong
These vehicles were built with front seat belt systems with no energy management loops and may not meet the head injury criteria requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupants of these seats may not be properly restrained.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.

Recall number 95V242000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshieldReported October 26, 1994 · 29 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 94V212000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported April 5, 1994 · 30,148 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 94V060000 · Recall details

SeatsReported December 14, 1993 · 1,375 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 93V216000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported September 15, 1993 · 70,154 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The brake pedal push rod retainer is missing, mispositioned or not properly seated.
Risk
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.

Recall number 93V152000 · Recall details

See all 8 recalls for the 1994 Chevrolet C20

Defect investigations

Front seat back collapseOpened September 22, 1995, closed December 22, 1995

Front seat back recliner attachment bolts loosen, fatigue, and fracture, allowing the seat to collapse backwards without warning.

PE95050

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Chevrolet C20 1

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 1994 Chevrolet C20 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Tires · OH · crash · 4 injuries

1994 chevrolet c20, left rear tire blew out. Driver lost control and went off the left side of the road, striking the concrete median wall. *bf according to the police report, the tires showed sufficient tread, but showed signs of dry rot and cracking. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0469-90) *jb updated 09/13/10

Filed Feb 27, 2002 · Brakes · VA

Consumer feels there is insufficient space between the brake pedal and the engine cover (this is a van with the engine cover located between the front passenger and drivers seat). When the driver removes his foot from the gas pedal it will occasionally get caught under the brake pedal. The consumer stated that this is a design defect.

Filed Aug 14, 2001 · Visibility · MS

Driver's side windshield has an irregularity, this causes driver's view to be obstructed, especially when it's raining. Area is not able to be cleaned when wiper is in use. Road is hard to discipher when the weather is clear and sunny.*ak

Filed Feb 8, 2001 · Brakes · WV

At any speed when applying brakes braking distance is not what it should be. Rear brakes not working properly, lock up. Front brakes replaced twice. *ak brakes are real bad on wet or icy roads.

Filed Mar 29, 1999 · Visibility · TX

Windshield wipers stopped functioning for no apparent reason and have intermittent operation. Possible to restart wipers by tapping on motor housing and/or moving wires that plug into wiper motor.

Filed Jun 22, 1998 · Brakes · GA

Anti lock brakes locked up several times, two accidents from lock up.

Filed Apr 1, 1996 · Seats · OR

Drivers seat bracket that secures the frame broke. *ak the bracket broke on th back seat, had a rocking motion which felt very unsafe particulary if there would be an accident, consumer contacted dealership and they repaired it.

Filed Dec 26, 1995 · Acceleration · MT

The car idles at 1100 to 1500 rmp when you release the pedal. Has taken the car back to dealers seven times nothing happened. Tt

Filed Apr 17, 1995 · Seat belts · FL

Seat belt has been replaced twice, will lock up unexpectedly. Tt

Filed Apr 10, 1995 · Electrical · TN

Vehicle stalls without warning while driving at any speed, pe94-091 active. Tt

Compare the 1994 Chevrolet C20

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Questions about the 1994 Chevrolet C20

Is the 1994 Chevrolet C20 reliable?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet C20, 2.0 times a typical C20 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Chevrolet C20?

Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is visibility (2).

How many recalls does the 1994 Chevrolet C20 have?

8 recalls, covering exterior lighting, seats and seat belts.

Was there a recall on the 1994 Chevrolet C20 brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 93V152000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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