ChevroletG-Series Van1994Overview/chevrolet/g-series-van/1994/base/

1994 Chevrolet G-Series Van

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 G-Series Van.

The 1994 Chevrolet G-Series Van carries a 4.5-quart oil fill requiring 5W-30 or 10W-30 API viscosity, specifications that define its routine service regimen. With zero recalls and only 30 total owner complaints on record, this model year marks a relatively uneventful chapter in the van's reliability history, though the concentration of grievances within the Service Brakes, Hydraulic category indicates the primary area requiring scrutiny. This absence of factory campaigns combined with limited complaint volume positions the 1994 variant as a comparatively stable entry in the G-Series production run, provided attention is paid to its hydraulic brake system.

Model year199619951994199319921991198919881987

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 25160561. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25160561 alt 12737090
Engine air filter06419892
Fuel filter25171792 discontinued
Spark plug19302741
Front wiper blades15184702
Serpentine belt88986825 alt 12576753
Thermostat10190925 alt 12551507

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.9 qt
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 5,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
At 6,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 6,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 10,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Underbody Splash Shield (inspect)
Every 24,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miClutch Cross Shaft (lubricate) · Clutch Release Lever Pivot Points (lubricate) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet G-Series Van lead in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 6 of 30 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
28
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
30
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Suspension3
Seat Belts3
Structure3
Power Train3
Equipment2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 28 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
G-1971512014-07-29Fuel System, Gasoline00064H - SPECIAL COVERAGE (REVISED PART INFORMATION). SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A…
1300890092013-09-01Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
00064C2002-09-01Fuel System, GasolineA FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMP, LEAKING TO COMPLAINTS OF POOR…
00064B2002-02-01Fuel System, GasolineSOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMP. *JG
00064B2002-02-01Fuel System, GasolineSPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR VEHICLES EXPERIENCING A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC DIESEL…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific G-Series Van. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 G-Series Van take?

4.5 qt of LIGHT DUTY MODELS: 5W-30 API, HEAVY DUTY MODELS: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 G-Series Van have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.