1995 Chevrolet Pickup Problems

What owners report

Reports on this model year cluster around the windshield wiper system: owners repeatedly describe wipers that stop without warning, often in rain, and many say dealers told them the truck's VIN was outside the related wiper campaign even though the symptom matched. Brake complaints are the second theme, with several describing pedal fade, pulling on braking, or worn-out hardware. Many reports are old, from the late 1990s and early 2000s, so most describe a truck as it was with its first owner.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers quit or work intermittently

   • 28 complaints (35%)
   • median 104,500 mi at 8.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2003

   Owners describe wipers that stop without warning, sometimes start again after a pause or after the switch is cycled, and often fail exactly when it rains. Several say tapping or shaking the wiper motor control box on the firewall got them going again, while others found the motor ran but the arms did not move. According to the complaints, dealers frequently said the vehicle was not covered by the wiper campaign because of its VIN, and in some cases could not reproduce the problem at the shop. Reported across a wide range of mileages and model years of ownership, and typically tied to wet weather rather than a particular mileage.

   What to check: Test the wipers on every speed setting, ideally in rain or with the windshield wet, and note whether they park and restart normally. Ask whether the wiper motor module or pulse board has ever been replaced, and check the firewall module for signs of repair or added jumper wiring.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Discovered a NHTSA on 1995 Chevrolet Pickup trucks relative to windshield wiper failures. Mine has been doing the same thing as described in NHTSA 98v150 for past 2 + years. When they stop working I have to stop the vehicle, raise the hood and reach the circut board box on the firewall. I shake/rap it slightly and the wipers start working again. Also moving the wires going into the unit can cause the wipers to stop or run. …”

   NHTSA complaint #724382, filed 2000-06

   “There was a recall issued 2/11/99 stating solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently. Consequence summary stated this condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing drivers visibility, etc. We took the vehicle to metro chevorlet and they stated there was no problem with the wipers and they did not fix or replace anything. However when I drove away I turned on the wipers and heard the motor motor running but the wipers did not work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #763532, filed 2002-06
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fade, pulling, or worn brake hardware

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2005

   Complaints describe a pedal that sometimes sinks close to the floor at low speed, braking that pulls hard to one side on dry pavement, and grinding or ratcheting noises when stopping. Owners report replacing the master cylinder, rotors and pads without the behavior going away in some cases, and a few describe a worn booster or a seized hub that overheated. Some also mention rusted brake lines on one side, then the other. Reported from moderate mileage up to well past 100,000 miles; several complaints note wet pavement as a condition linked to longer stopping distance.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, brake firmly from moderate speed on a clear road and note any pull or soft pedal. Have a shop inspect the brake lines for rust, especially along the frame on both sides, and check pad and rotor condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The speed of the truck will vary when the problem occurs. When I apply the brakes on dry pavement and good road the truck will jerk hard to the left ,then sometimes it will not. Sometimes the brake pedal will fade clear to the floor when I go to stop at a slow speed. I had a new master cylinder put in the truck, but it still did the same thing. Some times also it will make the funny ratcheting noise like your on a dirt road and trying to stop quickly, but I will be on a good dry asphalt road. …”

   NHTSA complaint #766539, filed 2002-09

   “The vacuum brake booster failed, I immediately took it for repair to thomas bros. Automotive located in collinsville, il. I did not take it to the dealer. I'm very lucky I didn't wreck this truck!”

   NHTSA complaint #747756, filed 2001-07
3. 3
   Seats

   Driver's seat frame cracks and the seat rocks

   Mentioned in 4 of 51 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the driver's seat frame breaking so the seat rocks back and forth or tilts backwards under acceleration, leaving the seat loosely attached to the base. According to the complaints, dealers or the manufacturer declined coverage, pointing to the truck's mileage or warranty status. One owner had the problem inspected at purchase and returned repeatedly without a fix. Reported on trucks with substantial mileage; complaints do not give a consistent age or mileage range.

   What to check: Grab the seat back and rock it firmly front to back and side to side; any movement at the frame or base is worth investigating before purchase. Check the mounting bolts and the frame rails under the seat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We bought this pichup new, have had it in the shop many times for the same problem. It stalls on us at any time,they have replaced parts and replaced parts. Each time they say it is either the fuel injection system or a oil leak. They fix it and again it happens. I have notified the manufactory, at one time they extended the warrenty another 1200 miles, but of course the warranty ran out before the truck broke down again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #760852, filed 2002-04

   “Windshield wipers did not work correctly at purchase, stopped at any time, started at any time, never worked when raining. The seatbelt fastener separated day after purchase, dealer never replaced - excuse a custom pkg and c ould not match seat belt fasteners. - same with windshield wipers.”

   NHTSA complaint #717735, filed 2000-01
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Stalling and intermittent power loss (fuel injection)

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 4.8 yrs old
   • filed 1997–2002

   Complaints describe the engine dying at low speed or losing power at highway speed with no warning, and repeated shop visits where the injection pump, fuel driver, computer or injectors were replaced without a lasting fix. Some owners report the manufacturer extended the warranty on the injection pump, and others say the problem returned after the extension ran out. In most cases the dealer could not reproduce the stall during a shop visit. Reported across a broad mileage range, with complaints noting these trucks can stall at low speed or at highway speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the injection pump or fuel driver has been replaced and whether any warranty extension was used. During a test drive, note any hesitation, dead spots under acceleration, or idle roughness, and check for a record of repeated stalling repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have had problems with this every since we bought this Pickup.. It has kept dying on us, we have had it in the stop many, many times, they have replaced the computer, fuel injection, about 4 or 6 times, the service manager told us that the mfg has had problems with all these trucks, it first came out on the 1994 models, they had problems with it then, but they still put it on the 95 models even though they knew. …”

   NHTSA complaint #741630, filed 2001-02

   “Problem is with injection pump and fuel driver on side of pump. Chevy has extended the warranty, but this is a reoccuring problem for many owners of these trucks. When these parts fail, the truck can stall, and can happen at any speed. My personal truck would stall at low speed, and lose power at high speed. Both very dangerous in traffic. When my warranty runs out in 14000 miles, I will be stuck with the cost of fixing a poor designed part, known to fail. I am currrently looking for another truck because of this hazard. …”

   NHTSA complaint #741428, filed 2001-02
5. 5
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and blowouts

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2004

   Owners describe tread separating from the tire carcass on light-truck-size tires, in some cases with a bulge in the tread, and one report describes the spare tire coming loose from its under-bed mount with only a small cable retaining it. Complaints note vibration before replacement and tires replaced under warranty in some cases. Reported at mileages around 50,000 miles and up; complaints center on older light-truck tires rather than the vehicle itself.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the tire date codes and look for uneven tread wear, sidewall cracking, or bulges before buying; on a truck of this age, plan on new tires. Underneath, confirm the spare tire is held firmly and inspect the retaining cable and mount.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tire blowout, with complete tread separation- I have the tire(s) and the separted tread in my posession, it is available for evaluation. (DOT number: vdw8 tiresize: lt26575r16)”

   NHTSA complaint #752962, filed 2001-10

   “Stop at an intersection with my pick up. My wife following behind me in her gmc jimmy. After checking for traffic, I proceeded and my wife approached the intersection. At this time, I heard something in the rear of my vehicle. The spare tire fell from underneath the truck and landed in the road. As I looked through my rear view mirror, my wife proceeded and ran over the tire, which caused her vehicle to go air-borne. She sustained minor injuries. After checking the spare tire compartment, I found that the tire is only secured by a small cable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #746958, filed 2001-06

Buying note. A used example is worth a careful wiper and brake check first, since those two systems account for most of what owners report, and rusted brake lines are worth a close look underneath. Seats and fuel injection are older, well-known weak points, so service records and a seat rock test tell you a lot about how the truck has been kept.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.