The 1996 Chevrolet Express has 3 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (4 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints15filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 00V110000 · Apr 17, 2000 · 109,239 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › U-bolt, leaf spring to axle
NHTSA recall 96V092000 · Jun 3, 1996 · 105 vehicles
Problem: ONE OF THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS CAN BREAK. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO THE SPRING LIFTING FROM THE AXLE UNDER CERTAIN REBOUND, BRAKING OR CORNERING MANEUVERS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR REAR AXLE U-BOLTS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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.
Fuel economy
Express 1500/2500 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Express 1500/2500 2WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Express 1500/2500 2WD
13mpg combined
City / highway
11 / 16 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
Electrical system Wiring › Interior/under dash; Ignition › Module
3
0
2
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Diesel; Exhaust system › Emission control
3
0
0
0
—
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
3
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
2
0
0
0
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Mechanical › Carrier/rack
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices
1
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
1
1
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission › Torque converter
1
0
1
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 7, 2003 · firePower train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA WHEN WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WE OPENED THE HOOD AT THAT TIME NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER NEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. AT THE TIME WE WERE TOWING AN ENCLOSED TRAILER WITH A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. NOTHING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENCE GAVE US ANY CLUE THAT THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. WE LOST ALL OUR POSSESSIONS IN THE VAN AND TRAILER. IT WAS ALL 100% DESTROYED. UNKNOWN CAUSE. WE HAD NOTICED THAT WE WERE USING MORE FUEL. AND WHEN WE PULLED THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WE NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND FROM WHERE…
Aug 22, 2002Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system AFTER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, AND UPON ARRIVAL, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO RECALL OOV110000 REPAIRS.*AK *SLC
Aug 9, 2001Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack THE STEEL CABLE SYSTEM SECURING THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED THROUGHAND SEVERED RELEASING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FREELY FROM UNDER THE VAN TO THE ROAD BELOW. AT THE SLOW SPEED I WAS TRAVELING I INCURRED NO LOSS OF CONTROL OR DANGER TO OTHER MOTORISTS, HOWEVER IF I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A 65MPH MISSLE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. CALLS TO THE MANUFACTURER RESULTED IN NO ACTION. I AM IN POSSESSION OF ALL FAILED PARTS. THANK YOU
Sep 2, 2001 · 58,500 miles · fireElectrical system THE HORN RELAY WAS SMOKING AND MELTED THE RELAY PANEL IT WAS MOUNTED TO. MORA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE RELAY AND FUSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL A DEALER CAN INSTALL A NEW RELAY PANEL AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE VAN HAD BEEN TURNED OFF SINCE 12:20 PM. THE HORN WAS SILENT AT 2:00 PM WHEN MY WIFE BROUGHT SOMETHING IN FROM THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN. AT AROUND 3:10 PM MY WIFE NOTICED THE HORN SOUNDING AND WENT TO CHECK IT OUT. SHE NOTICED SMOKE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE BATTERY WAS ALSO STARTING TO SMOKE. SHE DIALED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISPATCHER TO…
Sep 1, 1997Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion) WHEN PARKED STEERING WILL NOT TURN. STEERING GEAR BOX & PUMP REPLACED WITH NO EFECT.
Apr 17, 2001Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 00V110000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00031 CONCERNING FUEL ODOR/LEAKAGE. DEALER CORRECTED RECALL PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVED RECALL PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS IN FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED, AND FUEL PUMP/ FILLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Apr 9, 2001Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD STALLED OUT. LOST STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY.*AK THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS FAILING NUMEROUS TIMES. *YH
Mar 17, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY,DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.