1996 Chevrolet C10

Routine

Owners filed 16 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer. It has been recalled 11 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer5
100
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor4
000
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor1
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1
000
Seats1
000
Parking Brake › Conventional1
000
Air Bags › Frontal1
102

11 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports Usa, Llc

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly98V187000
Filed Aug 10, 199855,272 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer98V150001
Filed Jul 1, 19981,557,585 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Seats97V037000
Filed Mar 7, 1997624,433 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A PINCH POINT EXISTS IN THE RECLINER MECHANISM THAT CAN TRAP AND PINCH A PERSON'S HAND OR FINGER(S) WHEN THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE IS ACTIVATED.

Risk. THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly › U-bolt, Leaf Spring to Axle96V082000
Filed May 7, 199616,918 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE FOUR U-BOLTS NUTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE WERE UNDER-TORQUED.

Risk. VEHICLE USAGE COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY FALL OFF THE U-BOLT. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL CHECK THE U-BOLT NUT TORQUE AND RE-TORQUE ANY LOOSE U-BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.

Vehicle Speed Control96V057000
Filed Apr 4, 1996379,004 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.

Seats96E010000
Filed Mar 25, 19962,400 vehiclesVehicle Safety Systems

Defect. THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLES COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOAM AND/OR FABRIC SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT FRAME, INSTALL WASHERS BETWEEN THE SEAT RECLINER AND THE SEAT FRAME AT EACH ATTACHMENT POINT, AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHING BOLTS TORQUED TO A HIGHER SPECIFICATION. THESE CORRECTIONS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.

Showing 10 of 11 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Visibility
Filed Jun 10, 2009134,650 milesOK

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65MPH WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN. I TURNED THE WIPERS ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE RAIN INTENSIFIED I TRIED THE WIPERS AGAIN AND THEY WORKED. I RECENTLY NEEDED THE WIPERS AGAIN AND THEY FAILED. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jul 2, 2002MS

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY A DEALER. THERE IS A RECALL, 98V150001, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK *TT

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 14, 2002AR

CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER REGARDING RECALL 98V 150 001/98 V 150 000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK *YH

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/WasherCrash
Filed Mar 15, 2002OH

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING DRIVER NOT TO HAVE A CLEAR VIEW. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT DESPITE A RECALL ISSUED FOR WIPER MOTOR FAILURE IT DID NOT APPLY TO THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *AK *YH

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Aug 21, 2001MO

97V037000/ SEAT RECLINERS RECALL REPAIR FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS AT HEARTLAND CHEVROLET; LIBERTY, MO; PHONE # 816/781-3500. APPOINTMENT MADE BY DEALER FOR THIRD TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 26, 2001AL

ENGINE REVS UP WHEN ENGINE IS COLD AND IDLES DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MPH I FIRST REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER SOON AFTER I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE WAY A 5.0 L. ENGINE OPERATED AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT AFTER SEVERAL NEAR CRASHES BECAUSE OF THE RPMS OF THE ENGINE AS I HAVE APPROACHED ICY INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE THE WHEELS WOULD BE PUSHING ME AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP I WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NETURAL TO KEEP FROM RUNNNG INTO THE INTERSECTION, AFTER 5 YEARS I HAVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE DEALER MAY HAVE BEEN IN ERROR AS THO THE PROBLEM OR OTHERWISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES (THE ICY ROADS) AM I THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM?*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 28, 2000FL

WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH DURING A RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INITIALLY, AND SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 13, 2000NC

WHILE USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY QUIT WORKING WITHOUT A WARNING JUST LIKE MENTIONED IN RECALLS 98V150001 AND 98V150000. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 13, 2000IA

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, WITHOUT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAD BROSZ REPAIR LOOK AT THEM AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT MODULE WAS BAD, SO A NEW REPLACEMENT WAS BOUGHT AND INSTALLED. WHILE VISITING YOUR WEBSITE, I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL PICKUPS. I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO SAYS MY PICKUP WAS NOT RECALLED. I THINK THAT, AS THE FAULTY PART S NOW KNOWN TO BE FAULTY, CHEVROLET SHOULD RE-IMBURSE ME FOR THE PART($53.43), AND THE SMALL LABOR BILL($10).*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 24, 2000TX

WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WOULD WORK ON AND OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE BOX FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO START THEY WERE WORKING AGAIN. BUT, THEN THEY STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Mar 13, 2000CA

WINDSHIELD WIPER PULSE MODULE FAILED - SAME COMPONENT AS FAILURE ON S-10 PURCHASED SAME DATE (NHTSA RECALL 98V150001). *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jul 22, 1999OK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT BRAKE SHOES AND PADS, REPLACED THE PADS FOUR TIMES IN ONE YEAR .ALSO, BRAKE DUST ON THE BRAKE WHEELS, AND BRAKE HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jun 29, 1999TX

INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION. STOP WORKING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN CONTINUE TO OPERATE. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.

Parking Brake › Conventional
Filed Jun 3, 1999NM

WITH PARKING BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN WITH NO NOTICEABLE EFFECT OF IT BEING ON. CONSUMER NOW RELIES ON WHEEL CHOCKS AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM THAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED. *AK

Seats
Filed Aug 6, 1997GA

THE DRIVER'S FRONT AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS ARE STARTING TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BASE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 22, 1996WV

FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

16 of 16 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20010100Routine
20001100Routine
19993100Routine
19981600Routine
19977700Routine
1996 — this page161100Routine
1995401200Routine
1994201510Routine
19939400Routine
19929400Routine
19913100Routine
19903200Routine

Compare every C10 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.