1994 GMC C15 Problems: 7 Complaints, 8 Recalls

The worst 1994 GMC C15 problems

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

Seats
5
Steering
1
Visibility
1

Problems by type

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

Seats
5
Steering
1
Visibility
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 GMC C15

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 GMC C15 1

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

Sep 1, 2013 Service bulletinExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

What 1994 GMC C15 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 12, 2004 · Visibility · 82,000 miles · IN

While driving during rainy weather front windshield wipers failed.

Filed Nov 10, 1999 · Seats · FL

The seatback on passenger's side has broken again. Seatback was corrected once under recall 96e010000 in 1997. This is the second time the seatback has broken. The driver's side has broken once. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Problem has not been corrected.

Filed Jul 8, 1996 · Seats · TX · crash · 1 injury

Hit from behind and both bucket seats broke.

Filed Mar 29, 1996 · Steering · PA

When turning the steering wheel locks and causes the vehicle to keep turning. Please describe.

Filed Mar 7, 1996 · Seats · LA

Drivers side seat broke while driving.

Filed Dec 6, 1995 · Seats · AR

Seat frame broke while driving, causing the seat back to collapse. Tt

Filed Jan 23, 1995 · Seats · TN

Driver seat frame broke away from the floor. Tt

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1994 GMC C15 before you buy

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Questions about the 1994 GMC C15

Is the 1994 GMC C15 reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 1994 GMC C15, 1.2 times a typical C15 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 GMC C15?

Seats, with 5 complaints. Next is steering (1).

How many recalls does the 1994 GMC C15 have?

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

Was there a recall on the 1994 GMC C15 seats?

Yes, 2 recalls: 95V246000, 93V216000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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1994 GMC C15 problems