← New search

1994 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra years

Owner complaints for the 1994 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Sierra years →

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: 27 of 190 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 115 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. 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.

2 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Visibility complaints

115 reports
Clear category filter
125,000 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE OWNER WHO STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLU…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE OWNER WHO STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10433666 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN UPDATED 12/12/11

NHTSA ODI #10433674

40,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO FUNCTION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V150001 (VISIBILITY: …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO FUNCTION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V150001 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BU THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10429410

100,000 miles · Jul 13, 2006
Visibility

I AM EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY WIPERS NOT WORKING ON A 1994 GMC SIERRA PICKUP. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WET AND WITHOUT THE AID OF THE WIPERS WORKING PROPERLY VISIBILITY IS NEAR ZERO. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. NO W…

Read full complaint

I AM EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY WIPERS NOT WORKING ON A 1994 GMC SIERRA PICKUP. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WET AND WITHOUT THE AID OF THE WIPERS WORKING PROPERLY VISIBILITY IS NEAR ZERO. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. NO WARNING SIGNALS ARE GIVEN WHEN THE WIPERS WILL OR WILL NOT WORK. MOST RECENTLY I CALLED A GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT WITH THE AGE OF THE TRUCK THIS PROBLEM WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR. THIS LEFT ME THE FEELING THAT THEY (GENERAL MOTORS) WERE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE ISSUE. AT THIS POINT THE CONDITION STILL EXISTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162302

145,000 miles · Jun 8, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V150001, REGARDING THE VISIBILITY WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159358

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2006
Electrical SystemVisibility

CONSUMER 1994 SIERRA 1500 WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS ON AND OFF. *TS THE STARTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155147

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Visibility

DT: CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1994 GMC SIERRA AND THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR QUIT. CONSUMER GOT ONTO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND SAW THERE WAS RECALL 98V15001 FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10126697

110,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005
Visibility

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN CAUGHT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE RAIN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER NHTSA RECALL 98V150001. *AK THE CONSUMER WOULD FIRMLY HIT THE WIPER MOTOR WITH HIS HAND 2 OR 3 TIMES. THEY WOULD START THEN STOP…

Read full complaint

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN CAUGHT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE RAIN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER NHTSA RECALL 98V150001. *AK THE CONSUMER WOULD FIRMLY HIT THE WIPER MOTOR WITH HIS HAND 2 OR 3 TIMES. THEY WOULD START THEN STOP DURING THE RAIN. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115137

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2005
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT STOP. SOMETIMES THEY STOP MID-WIPE. SOMETIMES THEY CHANGE SPEEDS WITHOUT MY CHANGING THE SETTINGS. CALLED GMC WHEN I DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10106471

110,000 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Visibility

NHTSA RECALL 98V150001/ CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARE ON THEY WILL NOT GO OFF, AND CONSUMER MUST PLAY WITH THE WIPER SWITCH FOR A WHILE BEFORE THEY WILL TURN OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THEM ON THEY WILL NOT OPERATE. CONSUMER JUST RECENTLY PUR…

Read full complaint

NHTSA RECALL 98V150001/ CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARE ON THEY WILL NOT GO OFF, AND CONSUMER MUST PLAY WITH THE WIPER SWITCH FOR A WHILE BEFORE THEY WILL TURN OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THEM ON THEY WILL NOT OPERATE. CONSUMER JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, AND PROVIDED THE VIN TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS TELLING CONSUMER THE RECALL WAS OUT DATED, AND WANTED CONSUMER TO PAY OUT OF POCKET, AND MAYBE REIMBURSED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106810

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2005
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER HE NEVER RECEIVED IT…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER HE NEVER RECEIVED IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101230

Official recalls

3

98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Jul 1, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

95V241000 · Seat Belts:front

Dec 13, 1995

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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).

95V242000 · Seat Belts:front

Dec 13, 1995

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.