1996 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck

Routine

Owners filed 49 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer4
000
Seats4
000
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior2
000
Tires2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components2
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner2
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline2
000
Air Bags2
101

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E040000
Filed May 15, 20061,648 vehiclesE Speed Racing

Defect. CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Dec 21, 2010176,500 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50MPH WHEN A CAR DID A U-TURN IN FRONT OF ME, AFTER HITTING THE CAR I WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT A SIGN AND THEN A POLE BEFORE STOPPING, THE FRONT END WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NO INJURIES.*TR

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Apr 28, 200581,209 milesIN

FORTUNATELY WHILE STILL IN MY GARAGE, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY LIFTING THE DOOR HANDLE. UPON DOING SO THE DOOR UNLATCHED AND IMMEDIATELY FELL INTO MY CHEST AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WITH MY RIGHT HAND STILL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER SUPPORTING THE DOOR WITH A FOOT STOOL IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DOOR HAD FALLEN OFF THE TOP HINGE COMPLETELEY. YES, THE 4 SPOT WELDS HAD SIMPLY GIVEN WAY. TO SAY THE LEAST I AM AMAZED SOMETHING AS HEAVY AS THAT DOOR IS SIMPLY SPOT WELDED ON AT THE HINGES. I AM GREATFUL MY WIFE OR ANYONE ELSE WAS NOT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND I WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED MAKING A TURN WHILE THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN LEANING ON THE DOOR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LOCAL GARAGE I DO BUSINESS WITH AND THEY RECOMMENDED A CLOSE BY RELIABLE REPAIR SHOP. UNFORTUNATELY I PREFER NOT TO TAKE MY CARS TO THE DEALERS ONCE THEY ARE OUT OF WARRANTY FOR REASONS I WON'T GO INTO HERE. THEY ORDERED A NEW HINGE FROM THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND I THINK IT INTERESTING IT CAME WITH 4 BOLTS AND NUTS WHICH MAKES A WHOLE LOT MORE SENSE TO ME THAN 4 TINY SPOT WELDS. I DID TAKE THE BILL FOR THE REPAIR TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER ($199.05) TO SEE IF THEY OR GM MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN PAYING IT AND ALSO WHAT HAPPENED OR EVEN BETTER WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THEY OFCOURSE REMINDED ME THE TAHOE WAS WAY OUT OF WARRANTY AND I SAID I KNEW THAT BUT THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE FACT A DOOR FELL OFF IN A CUSTOMERS HANDS AND BESIDES BEING DANGEROUS IT'S PROBA

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Feb 2, 2003160,000 milesIN

WIRE PLUG INSIDE GAS TANK OVERHEATED AN MELTED THE WIRES AND THE PLUG. THE PUMP OF COURSE STOPPED WORKING SO TRUCK WOULD NOT START. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY HUBLER CHEVROLET ON US31 IN GREENWOOD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THEN. THE BILL SAYS THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AT THAT TIME. THIS TIME THE TRUCK WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MYSELF. WHEN I PULLED THE PUMP FROM THE TANK I FOUND THE BURNT WIRES. I BENCH TESTED THE PUMP AND IT STILL WORKED. ALSO THE WIRES FOR FUEL GAUGE WERE MELTED. THE FUEL GAUGE HAD BEEN WORKING OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. I WAS WAITING FOR WARMER WEATHER TO PULL THE FUEL TANK AND FIX IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AS HOT AS IT HAD TO GET TO MELT THE WAY IT DID, MY FAMILY AND I ARE FORTUNATE THAT THE FUEL TANK DID NOT EXPLODE. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring
Filed Jan 17, 2003125,000 milesWA

1996 CHEVROLET 1 TON 4-DOOR PICKUP TRUCK 4X4 WITH A 350 VORTEC AND AUTOMATIC THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WIRE-PLUG SHORTS OUT AND THE WIPERS STOP WORKING. I STUCK A PIECE OF WOOD SHIM BETWEEN THE PLUG-IN AND HOUSING AND THIS KEEPS THE IT FROM SHORTING OUT. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY VERY COMMON WITH THESE TRUCKS AND THAT IT IS A SHORT INSIDE THE LITTLE BOX WHERE THE PLUG PLUGS INTO. I WAS DRIVING HOME PULLING A LARGE TRAILOR IN THE RAIN WHEN THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE FREEWAY RAILING AND HAD TO STOP ON THE FREEWAY NEAR SEATTLE! I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFEC IN THE WIRING, WHEN MY OLD 1976 CHEVY TRUCK NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THAT!

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation ComponentsCrash
Filed Sep 30, 2002MD

CONSUMER STATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT. VAN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. CONSUMER ADVISED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY BRAKES AND VAN PULLED TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. VAN CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT A DUROSTOP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED ON VAN TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE PADS. VAN DID NOT HAVE COMPONENT WHEN PURCHASED NEW IN 01/97. NLMTHE GAS GAUGE BOUNCES ERRATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, TO NO AVAIL. *JG

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors
Filed Sep 20, 2002TX

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED IN VIRGINIA. I RAN A CARFAX CHECK, HAD IT INSPECTED AND ASKED IF IT HAD ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. I DID NOT KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND SOLENOID WERE BAD. THE TRUCK STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT MAY STALL ANYTIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP, BUT IT ONLY COVERS 10 YEARS OR 120,000. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 122,400 MILES AND HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE ANOTHER 100 OR SO MILES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. I HAVE TALKED TO GM AND THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND WILL CONTINUE TO FILE COMPLAINTS UNTIL GM/CHEVROLET FIXES THE TRUCK. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE REPAIRS AT $2,500. I FEEL THEY SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND WAS WHEN I BOUGHT IT.*AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 15, 2002TN

HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 9, 2002MN

VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN TRANSMISSION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jul 17, 2001OH

BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED, AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WITH AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF MILES ON BRAKE ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Apr 17, 2001DE

OUTSIDE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS VIBRATE AT SPEES FROM APPROX 25 TO 70 MPH. REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 22, 2001WI

CONSUMER REPLACED ALL 4 GOODYEAR WRANGER 16" LOAD RANGE E TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION, DEALER STATED THE TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING THIS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES FAILED AT ONLY 20000 MILES. *SLC

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Oct 30, 2000TN

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS WHICH SENT AN IMPROPER GROUND TO THE PCM AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. NLM

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
Filed Sep 1, 2000TX

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNED ON AND SOMETIMES DO NOT COME ON OR STOP WHILE IN OPERATION. THIS MAKES VISABILITY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PUMP THE BRAKES SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOW SPEEDS.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 27, 2000IA

NO SUNMMARY

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 26, 2000MI

THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT PULLED A TRAILER OR BEEN USED TO TOW.......THERE IS NO HITCH ON THE VAN

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 1, 2000MI

WHENEVER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE IN USE THEY WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY. WOULD SOMETIMES NOT COME ON WHEN SWITCH WAS TURNED. THE PROBLEM CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER IN RAIN OR SNOW. BEEN TO DEALER & CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. INDICATION WAS THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK *ML

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jan 16, 2000MA

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING, THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND DO NOT CLEAR. EVEN WITH DEFROST ON HIGH, THE WINDOWS DO NOT CLEAR. HEATER CORE HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND DEALER SAYS, IT'S THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO STOP IT. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 10, 1999TX

ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS? IF SO PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW? NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P265/R161 )

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 26, 1999MS

PAINT CHIPING AND FLYING OFF VEHICLE EXTENSIVELY, WIPERS QUIT WORKING AFTER RUNNING AWHILE

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 3, 1999NV

THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC CONDITION. THE CONNECTOR AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT AND THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK, HAVE SHORTED AND MELTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE ELECTRICAL PINS INSIDE THE CONNECTOR ARE VERY BADLY PITTED AND BURNT. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE (GRAY) FORM THE SENDING UNIT TO THE CONNECTOR OF THE FUEL PUMP IS MELTED, EXPOSING THE BARE WIRE (APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES). HAVING ELECTRICAL ARCING/SPARKING AND HEAT GENERATION SUFFICIENT TO MELT THE INSULATION, LOCATED IN A GASOLINE FUEL TANK IS A VERY SERIOUS AND UNSAFE CONDITION! ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER (CHRIS PFAFF) AT ROUNDTREE CHEVROLET IN BOISE ID, THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE WITH OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART IF NEEDED.

20 of 49 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200340002Fatalities reported
200237000Routine
200121000Routine
200019000Routine
199935100Routine
199833101Fatalities reported
199748100Routine
1996 — this page49100Routine
199553100Routine
199435100Routine
199313010Routine
199213000Routine
199113011Fatalities reported
199011010Routine

Compare every Chevrolet Truck 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 15, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.