Model year record

1996 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck recalls & problems

The 1996 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck has 1 safety recall and 49 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (15 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints49filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 15, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0400001,648 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft	15	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	13	1	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	10	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring › Interior/under dash	9	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	7	1	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly	6	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system	5	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	3	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	3	2	1	—
Service brakes, airAntilock › Wheel speed sensor; Antilock	2	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	—
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags › FrontalCrash
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
Dec 17, 2010 · 176,500 miles
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
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…
Apr 25, 2005 · 81,209 miles
Electrical system › Wiring
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…
Jan 31, 2003 · 160,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
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…
Jan 3, 2002 · 125,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation componentsCrash
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
Sep 27, 2002
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
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…
Sep 20, 2002
Air bagsCrash1 injury
HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK.
Oct 22, 2001
Power train › Automatic transmission
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN TRANSMISSION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *TT
Mar 24, 1997

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL LEAKS FROM THE VAPOR CANISTERClosedLed to recall 00V110000
In January 1998, GM issued the technical service bulletin describing conditions which may result in fuel leakage from the emission vapor canister.According to the bulletin, when the subject vehicles are parked on an incline, with a full tank of gasoline, fuel can flow into the vapor canister.The remedy is to replace of the vapor canister, both rollover valve assembles, and the associated piping.In April 1998, ODI opened Service Query 98-005 to understand GM's rationale for issuance of a service bulletin on a matter that appeared to result in fuel leakage, an issue that is usually address by conducting a safety recall campaign.On November 10, 1998 the SQ was elevated to an Engineering Analysis (EA98-024) to investigate an alleged defect in the fuel tank rollover valve system in certain 1996 through 1997 Chevrolet Trucks and OMC Full Size 010-030 panel and passenger vans.
EA98024 · opened Nov 10, 1998 · closed Apr 20, 2000
UNINTENDED RELEASE OF THE REAR HATCHClosed
GM REPORTED THAT THIS TSB WAS ORIGINATED AFTER A PLANT ENGINEER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM.THIS WAS A PLANT GENERATED COMPLAINT. ODI HAS NO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS.GM REPORTED 6 FROM OWNERS BEING PUZZLED BY THE HATCH AJAR LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT, NOR A TREND, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
SQ97020 · opened Oct 6, 1997 · closed Nov 19, 1997
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONSClosed
COUPLING BOLTS, JOINING THE STEERING SHAFT, MAY SEPARATE.IN SOME CASES, TOTAL UNFORESEEN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.
EA97007 · opened Apr 17, 1997 · closed Mar 12, 1998