Known Recalls

Model year record

1994 GMC C3500

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 9 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V025000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
988,587
Reported to NHTSA
1999-02-05
Owners notified
1999-04-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Structure: frame and members3—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—

The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.