1996 Chevrolet K1500

Routine

Owners filed 94 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer13
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor11
000
Tires7
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip6
200
Seats5
001
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump4
010
Vehicle Speed Control3
000
Tires › Tread/Belt3
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor2
100

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment07E088000
Filed Oct 24, 2007121,680 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seat Belts
Filed Dec 12, 2020196,000 milesMA

MY VEHICLE FAILED MASSACHUSETTS SEAT BELT TEST. THEY DONT LOCK WHEN PULLED ON QUICKLY. I HAVE REMOVED AND INSPECTED THEM AND IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE MECHANISM ITSELF IS NOT CAPABLE OF PASSING THIS TEST I AM BELIEVING THAT THE TEST HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED AFTER THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS PARTICULAR DESIGN OF SEAT BELT, AND AM ASKING IF THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GRANDFATHERED FOR THIS TEST THERE ARE INTERTIA WEIGHTS IN THEM THAT WILL LOCK THEM IN A COLLISION, AND I HAVE TESTED THIS IN A WIDE OPEN PARKING LOT BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND THEY DO LOCK BUT MY INSPECTION STATION IS UNWILLING TO RECOGNIZE THIS I WISH TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET A PASSING INSPECTION STICKER ON MY VEHICLE IS THERE A RECALL FOR AND UPDATED DESIGN OF SEAT BELT ? I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT BOTH EXISTING SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE ARE "BAD" WILL THE NHTSA ASSIST ME, PLEASE ? THANK YOU

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 30, 2014OH

1996 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE ON THE GROUND TOWARD THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TOOK THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. A GM SERVICE MANAGER STATED, THEY WERE AWARE OF COOLANT LEAKS. ESPECIALLY INTAKE LEKAS. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE DAY IT STARTED RAINING, AND HE SOO DISCOVERED THE WIPER DIDN'T WORK. HE DROVE TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME TRUCKS FOR A WIPER BOARD DEFECT. HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.

Tires
Filed May 31, 2014234,000 milesIL

UNIROYAL LAREDO P245-R16 TIRES HAVE DRY-ROT CRACKS NEXT TO TREAD BLOCKS AFTER LESS THAN FIVE YEARS AND 24,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR

Seats
Filed Oct 8, 2013225,000 milesAZ

THE DRIVER SIDE POWER BUCKET SEAT RELEASED AND DROPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT WILL NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A DRIVER. I HAVE SINCE PUT A SCISSOR LIFT JACK UNDERNEATH IT TO HOLD IT UP. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. I BEING A LICENSED P&C INSURANCE AGENT HERE IN ARIZONA - KNOW ALL ABOUT RISKS/HAZARD'S IN THE INDUSTRY. I WILL NOT SPEND THE $658 FOR A NEW POWER DRIVER ASSEMBLY WITH MOTOR #15662432. AS I HAVE SEEN THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S POSTED ON THIS SITE. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED FOR EVERYONE! *TR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 23, 2011160,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE PART AND CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 11, 20112,000 milesAZ

SO FAR, I HAVE REPLACED A CRUISE CONTROL FOUR TIMES IN FIVE YEARS FROM SALVAGE, IN EVERY CASE, THE ONLY PARTS TO FAIL ARE THE SAME TWO PLASTIC GEARS WORTH ABOUT $5 RETAIL. SINCE GM WILL NOT SELL REPAIR PARTS, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UNIT IS OVER $500. I WOULD UNDERSTAND IF I HAD FOUR DIFFERENT FAILURES HOWEVER THESE ARE ALIKE. MY VEHICLE IS A 1996 CHEVY, K1500, SILVERADO, 5.7 L ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROLLER #25169208. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel PumpFire
Filed May 27, 2008107,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET K1500. THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE WIRES WERE TOO SMALL A GAUGE FOR THE LOAD. THE PLASTIC INSULATION CAUSED THE WIRES TO OVER HEAT AND IT BURNED DOWN TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT SHOWED THE PARTS TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. HE ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Apr 8, 200785,000 milesID

FAILING DIESEL INJECTION PUMP ON 1996 CHEVROLET K1500 PICKUP WITH 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, RENDERING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES INOPERABLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 1994 THROUGH 1999 GM VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THIS ENGINE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE AN 11-YEAR, 120,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED BY CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION DUE TO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS PUMP.*AK

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Mar 24, 2007105,000 milesMI

WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN INTERSECTION THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE. WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE IT SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE, NOT THE U JOINTS, IT CRACKED THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND PUT A DENT IN THE GASOLINE TANK.WE WERE IN PROCESS OF GETTING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT, AND GETTIN A DRIVESHAFT MADE OUT OF STEEL.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 19, 2007111,000 milesMN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY SUN SHELL I'M WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 3 AND A HALF YEARS, I'VE HAD A GM 4L60-E TRANSMISSION REBUILT BECAUSE OF THE SUN SHELL SHEARING OFF AND DAMAGING INTERNAL PARTS INSIDE THE HOUSING ON TWO SEPARATE VEHICLES. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FINDING 3 NEIGHBORS WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IT WAS CLEAR THERE WAS A PATTERN. ADDITIONALLY, INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET CONFIRMED MY SUSPICION, AS GM IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE INHERENT PROBLEM, AND TRANSMISSION CENTERS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HENCE ROUTINELY STOCK KITS NECESSARY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE FROM THE FAILED SHELL, NOT TO MENTION THE TCC VALVE ISSUE. I'VE OWNED A NUMBER OF GM VEHICLES AND OWN TWO NOW A 1996 K1500 PICKUP AND A 1999 TAHOE. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, BOTH HAD THE SAME DEFECT AND CONSEQUENTLY NEEDED TO BE REBUILT NOT AN INEXPENSIVE ITEM. WHILE I SUPPORT AMERICAN AUTO MANUFACTURERS, I AM SADLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FAILURE OF NOT ONLY THE DEFECTIVE PART, BUT ALSO IN GMS COMMITMENT TO THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. IN 2004, GM FINALLY ADDRESSED THE FAULTY SUN SHELL AND HAS BEGUN PUTTING IN A STRONGER MACHINED (NOT WELDED) PART IN THOSE TRANSMISSIONS. HOWEVER, FOR THE MAJORITY OF CHEVROLET TRUCK OWNERS PRE 2004, WE HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND CONSEQUENTLY REPLACED/REBUILT THE TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO ITS FAILURE.

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Jan 10, 2005182,900 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND MY TRANSFER CASE ON MY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE THREW ITSELF INTO 4 LOW. WHICH CAUSED MY TRUCK TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL . I MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND PULL OF ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE I DISCONNECTED THE BOX THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS GAVE ME TWO WHEEL DRIVE WHICH GOT ME HOME. BUT I AM AFRAID TO HOOK THE BOX BACK UP IN FEAR OF KILLING MYSELF OR OTHERS IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED AGAIN.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 22, 2004112,231 milesFL

THIS LETTER IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING A HAZARDOUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC MATERIEL DEFECT ON THE 1996 CHEVROLET PICKUP (MODEL: K1500 1/2 TON 4.3 L F/I V6). THE VEHICLE HAD 112231 ORIGINAL MI. AND WAS OPERATED CONSISTENT WITH ITS INTENDED USE. THE VEHICLE IS PRODUCTION REPRESENTATIVE WITH NO MODIFICATIONS OR HISTORY OF DAMAGE. ON 20 APR 04 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MI/HR THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WITH NO IMPENDING INDICATIONS OF A FAILURE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION AND REPAIR WAS CONDUCTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT RON'S FIRESTONE, GENEVA, AL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CONNECTOR AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT SHORTED-OUT AND MELTED AND THAT APPROXIMATELY 2.5 IN. OF THE PLASTIC INSULATION ON THE GRAY WIRE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE SENDING UNIT WAS MELTED. RON BLAIR (OWNER/MECHANIC) COMMENTED: WIRING INSIDE GAS TANK WAS MELTED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FUEL PUMP. IF FUEL TANK HAD NOT BEEN FULL IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TANK TO HAVE BLOWN UP. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE DO THIS BEFORE. *AK *SC *JB

Electrical System
Filed Feb 9, 2004KY

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. HEATER BLOWER SWITCH MELTED, CAUSING THE BURNING SMELL.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › RotorCrash
Filed Dec 18, 200382,000 milesOH

UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN BRAKES LOCKED UP, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT INTO A DITCH. THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE ROTORS BREAKING AND JAMMING INTO THE BRAKE. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN OF THE ROTORS, PER THE DEALERSHIP.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › LatchFire
Filed Nov 19, 2003MI

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DRIVER OPENED THE DOOR BY REMOTE CONTROL AND NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE REMOTE INSIDE OF THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER EXTINGUISHED FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 19, 2003MT

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED RAPIDLY, RESULTING IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. AFTER INSTALLING THE SPARE AND RETURNING HOME, I INSPECTED THE OTHER THREE TIRES WHICH ALL HAVE DISTINCT CRACKS FORMING AT THE TREAD/SIDEWALL CORNERS. ON ONE TIRE, I CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE STEEL BELTS BETWEEN THE CRACKS.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 26, 2003118,000 milesTX

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THE VEHICLE FUEL SENDING UNIT SHORTED OUT IN THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER FELT IF THERE WAS ANY AIR IN TANK THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPLOSION. *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 26, 200370,207 milesMI

AT 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1996 CHEVY Z71 WENT OUT, WHICH ALSO TOOK THE TRANSFER CASE OUT. THE TRUCK WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED ON TIME AND BABIED. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE IT WAS NEW. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS UP SO I AM STUCK WITH THE BILL. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THESE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG 96-98 OWNERS. CALLING GM DOES NOTHING. PLEASE FORCE THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Control Unit/Module
Filed Jan 30, 200357,000 milesOH

ABS BRAKE FAILURE

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 23, 2002NY

THE ANTIFREEZE USED ON THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO DETERIORATE THE GASKETS USED ON THIS ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND WATER PUMP LEAKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MONIES SPENT FOR REPAIRS. *JG THE ALTERNATOR WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL. *SCC

20 of 94 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
1996 — this page94220Routine
1995118210Routine
1994100200Routine
199322210Routine
199216210Routine
19911200Routine
19907310Routine

Compare every K1500 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: Oct 24, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.