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1994 Chevrolet Silverado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 28 of 210 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

210 reports
142,652 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Engine

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 D…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10616330

200,000 miles · Sep 11, 2013
Engine

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10543086

20,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Service Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI #10491460

139,887 miles · Jun 17, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 M…

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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 .

NHTSA ODI #10462644

200,000 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

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/ELECTRI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10362569

129,000 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Visibility

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.

NHTSA ODI #10156000

68,000 miles · Feb 8, 2006
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

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.…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10149837

191,500 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Visibility

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 …

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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)

NHTSA ODI #10142870

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 DEALE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10122353

2,000 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Visibility

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

NHTSA ODI #10123837

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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