Model year record
1996 Chevrolet Van recalls & problems
The 1996 Chevrolet Van has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 28 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (16 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Chevrolet Van.
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
Van 1500/2500 2WD
| 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
Van 1500/2500 2WD
| City / highway | 13 / 17 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Van 1500/2500 2WD
| City / highway | 12 / 16 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/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.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc | 16 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit | 4 | — |
| SuspensionFront › Springs › Torsion bar; Front › Control arm | 4 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Recliner | 3 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline | 3 | — |
| StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Fuel injection system | 3 | 150,000 mi |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment | 2 | — |
| Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Horn | 2 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Anchorage | 1 | — |
| EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 1 | — |
| VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS GASOLINE SPILLING OUT OF THE FILLER NECK OF THE REAR FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE PUMP IN THE REAR TANK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 93V125000, PERTAINING TO THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS THE POWER TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING ARCING THAT BURNS THE CONNECTOR. THIS MELTED THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO FUEL PUMPS WERE INSTALLED. AFTER THE SECOND FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CONNECTOR WAS BAD.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BLINDING TO OTHER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 10 TIMES.*AK
- Engine and engine cooling
2 MULTI PORT INJ 1INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY INTERSTATE 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND GOT THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND OFF OF THE ROAD, MY ENTIRE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WE LEARNED THAT IT WAS A TORSION BAR AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT THE DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN 1997. THEREFORE WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES AT A COST OF OVER 1,000 DOLLARS. IT IS STILL MAKING A NOISE AND I DON'T FEEL IT IS RELIABLE. *NLM
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switchCrash
WHILE PARKED WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION CHILD ACCIDENTLY PUT VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES VEEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD, AND HIT A CEMENT BEAM, INJURING PARENT WHO WAS TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
HEARD A NOISE, FELT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FALL DOWN ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE, HEARD TIRE RUBBING, STOPPED VEHICLE, GOT OUT TO INSPECT. FENDER PARTS RUBBED ON TIRE, COULD NOT TURN WHEEL OR DRIVE , HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. REPLACE TORSION BAR AND RELATED PARTS.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
PRIOR TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON JULY 29, 2001, THERE IS MINIMUM OF NINE DOCUMENTED SERVICE REPORTS WITH THE DEALER FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS BEGINNING IN MAY OF 1997. TO DATE, THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THERE IS SEVERE PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEEL VIBRATION UPON QUICK OR HEAVY APPLIANCE OF BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK AND HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY FROM THE BEGINNING; THUS, THE FRONT BRAKES MUST HANDLE THE LOAD. THE FRONT BRAKE LINING MUST BE REPLACE EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE BACK BRAKE LINING HAS BEEN REPLACED ONLY ONCE. THE DEALER INDICATED THE RECENT BRAKE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE ROTARS RUSTING AND SPLITTING IN HALF (A FIRST THEY SAY). THIS OCCURRED ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER HAVING THIS…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.