The 1994 GMC Sierra has 4 recalls, the most serious being front seatbelt failures that can leave occupants unrestrained in a crash, either through a buckle that releases on its own or belts that cannot adequately absorb crash forces.
Two of the seatbelt recalls involve the same underlying problem: in a frontal collision, if both the lap belt and shoulder belt energy management loops release at or near the same time, the crash forces themselves can trigger the buckle release mechanism, causing the buckle to pop free from the latch. This issue affects extended cab models equipped with the double-loop energy management system. A separate seatbelt recall covers vehicles where the front belts were built without any energy management loops at all, meaning they may not absorb enough force during a crash to meet federal occupant protection standards, leaving front seat occupants without adequate restraint. There is also a visibility concern: cracked solder joints near the wiring harness connector can cause the windshield wipers to operate intermittently or stop working entirely, reducing the driver's ability to see clearly in rain or snow.
At a glance
What can fail
Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack, causing windshield wipers to work intermittently or fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
Front seat belt retractors lack energy management loops and may not adequately protect occupants' heads during crashes as required by safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors with new ones that include an energy-management twin-loop system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Both the lap and shoulder belt energy management loops can release simultaneously, causing acceleration forces to trigger the buckle release mechanism and separate the buckle from the latch.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the stitching that forms the energy management loop in the shoulder belt.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a frontal crash, the lap and shoulder belt energy management loops can release nearly simultaneously. This can cause forces that trigger the buckle release mechanism, letting the buckle separate from the latch.
What the fix does
On gas engine trucks, the shoulder belt energy management loop stitching will be removed. On lighter-duty engines, the seat belt retractor will be replaced with a newly designed energy management system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
