1996 Chevrolet Silverado

Routine

Owners filed 186 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer › motor. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

26 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor49
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip17
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer16
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission12
010
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner8
003
Seats6
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump6
000
Air Bags › Frontal6
605
Unknown or Other4
000
Vehicle Speed Control3
100

What owners reported

Newest filings
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 11, 2019200,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WITTMEIER CHEVROLET (2292 FOREST AVE, CHICO, CA 95928, (530) 895-8181) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 10, 2016196,000 milesWY

DURING A JUMP START IGNITION WOULD NOT DISENGAGE EVEN AFTER I TURNED OFF, AND REMOVED KEY. HAD TO REMOVER BATTERY CABLE 2 TIMES NOW

Visibility
Filed Apr 16, 2007CA

1996 CHEVY SILVERADO CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THE MOTOR MIGHT FAIL RESULTING IN CRACKING SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS DOCUMENTATION THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATES HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jun 2, 200680,000 milesTX

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED HOWEVER NO INSPECTION HAS BEEN MADE.

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed May 9, 2006NN

CONSUMER CHEVROLET SILRADO PICKUP HAS HAD THREE INJECTION PUMPS IN 92000 MILES. *TS ***REF 10157351*** *JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Apr 18, 2006WA

TAILGATE STRAPS FAILURE. MAN WAS STANDING ON TAILGATE PREPARING TO JUMP DOWN, AND BOTH STRAPS SNAPPED AT THE SAME TIME. THERE WAS NO NOTICE THAT THE STRAPS WERE WORN OR FAILING. VEHICLE IS USED AS SHOW TRUCK, NOT WORK TRUCK, AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. FAILURE IS AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR RECALL 04E067000, NHTSA ACTION EA04005 AND GM DEFECT NOTICE 04V-129, EXCEPTION FOR PRE 2000 VEHICLES. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Mar 6, 2006110,000 milesTN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINER FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE PUSHED UP AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. REPAIRS WERE MADE BY TEAM CHEVROLET SAMARIUM, TENNESSEE. THE COST WAS $ 250.00. THIS FAILURE ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL CLASH. THE VEHICLE ENDED UP OFF HIGHWAY IN A DITCH. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jan 5, 200610,300 milesMD

METAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID LINE RUSTS, DEGRADING TO THE LEAKING OF FLUID AND TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. METAL LINE TO BE REPLACED WITH STAINLESS-STEEL. FUEL LINE IS IN SAME CONDITION, THOUGH NOT LEAKING FUEL. FUEL LINE TO BE REPLACED WITH STAINLESS STEEL. *NM

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Oct 27, 200513,131 milesNC

ON MY 1996 SILVERADO, THE TAILGATE STRAPS ARE STARTING TO RUST AND BREAK. I THINK THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED BECAUSE THE RECALLED TAILGATE STRAPS ARE PUT TOGETHER THE SAME WAS EVEN IF IT IS NOT THE SAME MODEL. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 17, 2005108,400 milesNY

1996 CHEVY 4X4 TRUCK (SILVERADO) ABS ENGAGING AT LOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT. VERY DIFFICULT STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING A 4-WAY STOP. KIDS IN THE TRUCK CAUSED A VERY UNNERVING EXPERIENCE. *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 29, 2005192,000 milesIN

DT: WHILE THE CALLER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE BRAKE FAILED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE CALLER'S VEHICLE, AND WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT WORK. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THE MAIN BRAKE LINE TO THE BACK BRAKES WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND CALLER SAID IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS A CRASH. ONE PASSENGER W IN CALLERS VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT CALLED HIM BACK. THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD SOME DAMAGE TO THE REAR, BUT CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 22, 2005105,500 milesNH

THE BRAKES ON OUR 1996 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 PICK UP FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE & THE TRUCK ACTUALLY BRAKING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN BRAKING & TURNING. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE TRUCK MAKES THE SAME SOUND & VIBRATION THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES KICK IN IF YOU'RE SLIDING ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO TRUST THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STOP COMPLETELY WHEN NEEDED. CAUTION IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. WE DON'T DARE TOW ANYTHING OR EVEN LOAD THE BED OF THE TRUCK WITH ANYTHING TO HEAVY SINCE WE'RE WORRIED THAT THE BRAKES WILL NOT HANDLE THE EXTRA WEIGHT. WE'RE ALSO WORRIED ABOUT OPERATING IT IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WHICH IS FAST APPROACHING IN THE NORTHEAST. A MECHANIC TOLD US THAT ALOT OF CHEVY PICK-UPS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. WE INVESTIGATED THIS ON THE INTERNET & FOUND THAT GM DID A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON VEHICLES IN CANADA BUT HASN'T DONE ONE IN THE US YET. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS INVESTIGATING THIS COMPLAINT, BUT IT'S IN THE EARLY STAGES OF IT'S INVESTIGATION. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN BEFORE THIS PROBLEM CAUSES AN ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD RESULT IN SERIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR BODILY INJURY. *NM

Tires
Filed Sep 8, 2005AZ

SIDEWALLS OF TWO TIRES SEPARATED, ONE AT THREE PLACES AND ONE AT ONE PLACE. ONE TIRE CRACKED ALONG THE BEAD. ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND PRORATED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors3 injured
Filed May 17, 200518,000 milesVT

SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE CONTINUAL COSTS TO KEEP VEHICLE RUNNING HAS ALMOST EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. REPAIR COSTS FROM $3,200.00-$3,900.00 AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE. ANY FUTURE REPAIRS WILL NOW EXCEED THE PURCHASE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE INCAPACITY OF THE TRUCK MY LOST WAGES HAVE EXCEEDED OR WILL EXCEED $10,000.00. BEING A SINGLE PARENT OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND HAVING LOST MY JOB DUE TO THE VEHICLES INCAPACITATE HAS CAUSED INSURMOUNTABLE PAIN AND SUFFERING TO THE NECESSARY DAY TO DAY FUNCTIONS TO MY FAMILY. MY ONCE FAIR CREDIT REPORT HAS BEEN RUINED. ONE OF MY MAIN REASONS FOR AGREEING TO TAKE OUT A AUTO LOAN WAS TO HELP ACHIEVE A FAVORABLE CREDIT RATING TO OBTAIN A MORTGAGE LOAN IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHICH IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. THERE IS CURRENTLY A INVESTIGATION AND CLASS ACTION SUITE PENDING BY THE VERMONT STATE ATTORNEY'S GENERALS OFFICE AGAINST WILLIAM DYDO JR. (DYDO AUTO SALES. ALTHOUGH I HOPE TO BE PART OF THIS SUIT I WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING. THANK YOU

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed May 10, 200558,000 milesFL

SINCE PURCHASED FROM MAHER CHEVROLET IN 2001, THE "C CLIP" IN THE "TRANSFER CASE" HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES AND WE HAVE NEVER USED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THIS OCCURS DURING NORMAL DRIVING! THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND TIME WAS 30,000 MILES AFTER IT REPLACED. NOW LESS THAN 20,000 MILES LATER, ITS BROKE AGAIN. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING DEFECTIVE INTERNALLY IN THE TRANSFER CASE. WHEN DRIVING AND THE "C CLIP" BREAKS, THE GEARS START GRINDING LOUDLY. YOU CAN NOT EXCEED 3 - 5 MILES PER HOUR. SINCE THIS IS AN INSTANT MOVEMENT, THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WEHN TRAVLING ON THE INTERSTATE. WHICH MY HUSBAND FREQUENTLY DOES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED SINCE IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND SUPPOSEDLY, FIXED THEN. IS THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM OR AM I DEALING WITH UNSAFE DEFECT WITH THE TRANSFER CASE. I WILL LIST THE APPROX. DATE THAT THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT MY TRUCK LAST, AND THEN WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $2,500 TO "INVESTIGATE" WHY THE "C CLIP" KEEPS BREAKING.

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed May 6, 200575,000 milesIA

DT: WHILE DRIVING SHE WAS EXPERIENCING HESITATION, HIT POTHOLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE FACTORY WIRING INSIDE THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS BURNED UP AT THE CONNECTOR, ONLY BEAR WIRING WAS PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. FEARFUL THIS MAY CATCH FIRE. HARDWIRED THIS FEATURE PER OWNER WHO IS ALSO MECHANIC. APPEARED TO BE FAULTY WIRING, DEFINITELY 4 PIN CONNECTOR AT THE TOP OF THAT WIRE ASSEMBLY. NO OTHER PROBLEMS. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 16, 200575,000 milesTN

HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE TILT STEERING WHEEL TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jan 3, 200589,000 milesCA

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE OR FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 03V159000. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1 injured
Filed Nov 15, 200465,000 milesCO

THE WELDS, WHICH ATTACH THE BUCKET SEAT TO THE SEAT TRACKS, BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. *AK THE WELDS THAT ATTACH BOTH FRONT BUCKET SEAT TO THE SLIDE RAILS ARE BROKE. THE WELDS ONLY BROKE ON THE FRONT OF BOTH SEATS. WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE IT CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK INTO THE BACK AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE BACK WINDOW. *SC

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 30, 2004125,000 milesMO

WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE AND LURCHED FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, AND TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF BEFORE ANY OTHER DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

20 of 186 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2017125030Routine
20165200Routine
201576720Routine
20141241400Do not drive
201364320Routine
201268240Routine
201175220Routine
201062120Routine
200976031Fatalities reported
2008162251Fatalities reported
20071834101Fatalities reported
20061821075Fatalities reported
20053161470Above average
200462215103Fatalities reported
200369513112Fatalities reported
20027101551Fatalities reported
20018771553Fatalities reported
20001,30520112Fatalities reported
19991,6601760High concern
1998279052Fatalities reported
1997272060Above average
1996 — this page186030Routine
1995263000Above average
1994210041Fatalities reported
199369000Routine
199240030Routine
199117000Routine
199025000Routine

Compare every Silverado 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.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.