1994 GMC Yukon Problems

What owners report

The most common complaints describe the windshield wipers working intermittently or stopping, often in rain, and many say the vehicle was excluded from the wiper recall because of its VIN. Brake complaints follow, including a pedal that drops toward the floor or resists pressure, and ABS that locks wheels or engages unexpectedly. Where mileage is listed, complaints fall between about 38,000 and 185,000 miles.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or work intermittently

   • 19 complaints (33%)
   • median 155,000 mi at 10.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2009

   Owners describe wipers that work intermittently, stop without warning, or switch on by themselves, with some failures happening in rain or during a winter storm. According to complaints, the dealer or manufacturer said the vehicle's VIN was not included in the wiper recall, though some owners say the failures matched the recalled defect. In some cases owners paid for the wiper repair. Most wiper complaints do not list mileage; where it is given, it ranges from about 38,000 to 185,000 miles, and some describe failures in rain.

   Recall 03V159000Recall 98V150001

   What to check: Ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether this VIN is covered by wiper recall 03V159000 or 98V150001, since complaints say some VINs were excluded. Test the wipers at every speed and confirm they stop fully when switched off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 1994 Gmc Yukon and the windshield wipers quit working without warning. Sometimes they will start working on their own, sometimes you have to tug on them to get them to start up again. The recall says 1994 to 1997 but I have not received a letter. Gm says my VIN is not included. This is a joke, there is definately a defect and this is very dangerous as I drive 68 miles a day.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062153, filed 2004-03, 185,000 miles

   “Windshield wipers completly stopped working in a winter storm 12/09/03. I found out about a recall on the wiper circuit board and took it to the dealership and told them what had happened. They did nothing but look at the VIN and told me that my 1994 Yukon needed a circuit but did not fit into the recall. They were going to charge me $85.00 for something that many others get fixed for free. They knew what was wrong with the wipers without any exam at all. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10049723, filed 2003-12
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks to the floor or resists

   • 10 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 3.0 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor, feeling soft, or pushing back against the foot, so the car kept rolling or stopped late. Some complaints describe pumping the pedal to get braking back, and in some complaints brake pads, rotors, the master cylinder, or wheel cylinders were repaired or replaced. Other complaints describe a crash or rear-end collision after the pedal did not respond. Mileage is not listed in these complaints, and many describe braking during a stop or emergency stop, with some at speeds up to about 55 miles per hour.

   What to check: Ask for brake service records, including any master cylinder or wheel cylinder work. Have a mechanic check the pedal feel, brake fluid condition, and any fluid leaks before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife and I have owned this vehicle since 1996. We bought it used with 18,000 miles on it. I have always had trouble hearing noises and trouble with a soft brake pedal on this vehicle. When the car had about 40,000 miles on it, I had an incident where I applied the brakes going about 55 miles per hour to slow down to get on the expressway and both rear wheel cylinders blew out on me almost causing a severe accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #768894, filed 2002-10

   “While driving at approximately 20-25mph and coming to a stop, brake pedal went to floor and vehicle failed to stop. Would have to pump brakes to get them to work. The master cylinder & front brakes also went out. Took to dealer for repair of brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #847603, filed 1999-09
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS locks wheels or engages unexpectedly

   • 13 complaints (22%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 11.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe the anti-lock system locking one or more wheels, including on snow or ice and on wet downhill grades, and some say the lock did not release until the tires stopped skidding. Other complaints describe ABS grinding, activating early over bumps, or failing during an emergency stop. In one complaint the front brakes locked at about 25 miles per hour and the car went into a creek after the ABS had started making noise. Where mileage is listed, these complaints range from about 90,000 to 108,000 miles, and some describe wet, snowy, or icy roads.

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS warning light or any ABS fault codes have been checked, and whether the ABS module and wheel speed sensors have been inspected. On a test drive, confirm the ABS warning light turns off normally after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When braking hard, especially in a downhill motion on wet or snowy roads the brakes lock up. Removing one's foot from the pedal does not release the braking action. Only when the tires stop skidding does the braking action release, allowing for one to try again by applying the brakes more gently. By then the vehicle is nearly stopped anyway. I have nearly skidded into intersections or cars in front of me on at least five occasions.”

   NHTSA complaint #10107966, filed 2005-01, 90,000 miles

   “This was the second time that my anti-lock brakes failed in an emergency situation. As for the seat anchor, I nearly fell into the back seat after paying a toll and continuing on my way home... What a heart stopping situation!”

   NHTSA complaint #723043, filed 2000-05

Buying note. Anyone considering this model year should ask the dealer whether the vehicle is covered by the wiper recalls, and have the brakes and ABS inspected before buying. Wiper and brake complaints are the most common themes in the sampled reports, so a test drive that includes braking from moderate speed and a check of the wipers in wet weather, if possible, is worthwhile.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 42 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.